GPY/PA 3(2)09 - Introduction to City and Regional Planning
An introductory course for people interested in careers in planning and public administration. The course
explores the relationship between the goals of a community and the techniques needed to implement long-term
and sustainable strategies. Fulfills one of the Issues/Themes requirements. Offered fall semester.
Credits: 3
This course is also being proposed to be lowered to a 200 level course e.g. 209 creating a better
“gateway” into City and Regional planning
GPY 310 - Land Use Planning
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GPY/PA 310 - Land Use Planning
This course deals with the fundamental concepts, principles, strategies, and tools of city and regional land use
planning. The focus is on the real-world and sustainable land use planning process and implementation. Offered
winter semester.
Credits: 3
GPY 312 - City and Regional Environmental Planning
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GPY/ENS/PA 312 - City and Regional Environmental Planning
This planning course surveys the issues a city or regional planner is likely to encounter and interact with in the
realm of environmental planning. This course also surveys the recent advances in sustainability, environmental
sciences, engineering and geospatial information technologies that have increased our understanding and
analysis of environmental planning. Offered winter semester of odd-numbered years.
Credits: 3
GPY 314 - Land Use and Planning Law
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GPY/PA 314 - Land Use and Planning Law
This course surveys federal and Michigan statutes relevant to planning. It provides a background of federal and
Michigan statutory land use controls. Awareness and understanding of these statutes is essential when
executing existing land use and planning policies or when altering or proposing new land use and planning
policies. Offered winter semester of even years.
Credits: 3
GPY/PA 316 - Introduction to Transportation Planning
This course is an introduction to transportation planning. It explores the planning, land use and policy
implications of city and regional transportation as it relates to urbanism, energy use, public health and safety,
sustainability and economic development. Offered winter semester of odd-numbered years.
Credits: 3
GPY 324 - Urbanization
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GPY/PA 324 - Urbanization
Examines the process of urbanization and its impact on various cultures and its long-term comprehensive
sustainability. Considers the dynamic growth of urbanization in third world countries and the significant increase
in global urbanization, emphasizing the evolution of cities over time, space, and vastly different social, political,
and cultural environments. Fulfills Cultures - World Perspectives. Fulfills one of the Issues/Themes requirements.
Offered fall semester.
Credits: 3
GPY/MKT/PA 365 - GIS for Economic & Business Decision Making
Explores the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology in economic and business decision making,
including market area analysis, geodemographic segmentation, site selection, routing, customer profiling, sales
territory management, and location strategies. Emphasis on hands-on activities. Problem-based learning approach.
Course is cross-listed with MKT 365. Part of the Information, Innovation, and Technology Issue. Prerequisite: Junior
standing.
Credits: 3
GPY/ENS/PA 410 - Landscape Analysis
Landscape analysis is a broadly interdisciplinary study that includes concepts and methods of sustainable
physical/human geography, ecology, planning and architecture. It includes the biophysical and societal causes and
consequences of landscape heterogeneity, processes and evolution. Conceptual and theoretical core of this course
links natural sciences with related human disciplines. Fulfills one of the Issues/Themes requirements. Cross-listed
with ENS 410. Offered fall semester. Prerequisites: GPY 100 or GEO 111 or BIO 105 or GPY 309.
Credits: 3
Certificate in Sustainable City and Regional Planning
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Coordinator: Wagendorp.
The Certificate in Sustainable City and Regional planning is a strong curricular adjunct to studies in public
administration, economics, urban sociology, natural resource management, civil engineering, finance, and business.
This 12 credit hour certificate provides students at Grand Valley State University with a foundational knowledge of
sustainability in planning and land use issues. This certificate can be completed in three semesters.
Career Opportunities
The Certificate in Sustainable City and Regional Planning will augment career opportunities in public, private, and
nonprofit planning organizations and agencies. The certificate can also amplify studies in public administration, civil
engineering, finance, business, urban sociology and social work. Agencies such as public (village, city township, and
county) planning offices, district planning office, state transportation departments (MDOT), and county road
commissions, park and recreation organizations, neighborhood associations, federal office, private architecture and
planning establishments, utility companies, and many other types of organizations employ graduates with formal
training in sustainable city and regional planning.
Requirements for a Certificate in Sustainable City and Regional
Planning
Students who seek a Certificate in Sustainable City and Regional Planning are required to complete four of the five
courses listed below.


GPY/PA 309 - Introduction to City and Regional Planning Credits: 3

GPY/ENS/PA 312 - City and Regional Environmental Planning Credits: 3 /
ENS 312 - City and Regional Environmental Planning Credits: 3

GPY/PA 324 - Urbanization Credits: 3

GPY/ENS/PA 410 - Landscape Analysis Credits: 3 /
(prerequisites GPY 100 or GEO111 or BIO 105)
GPY/PA 310 - Land Use Planning Credits: 3
City and Regional Planning Minor
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Coordinator: Wagendorp.
For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Liberal Arts and
Sciences section in this catalog.
City and Regional planning in Michigan and the nation is a dynamic and growing area of employment that is
concerned with optimal and sustainable land use. Professionally trained planners strive to create better living
environments for all by planning and designing smart and integrated land use systems. This process is sometimes
undertaken with the assistance of public, academic, private, and community organizations.
Career Opportunities:
A minor in city and regional planning provides career opportunities in public, private, and nonprofit planning
organizations and agencies. A minor in city and regional planning can also amplify or be a strong adjunct to a major
in public administration, civil engineering, finance, business, urban sociology, and social work. Agencies such as
public (village, city, township, and county) planning offices, district planning federal office, private architecture and
planning establishments, utility companies, and many other types of organizations employ graduates with formal
training and planning.
Requirements for a Minor in City and Regional Planning
Students who minor in city and regional planning are required to complete a minimum of 24 credits from the courses
below. The required core consists of 15 hours, the remaining 9 hours can be selected from five elective courses.
Required Courses:


GPY/PA 309 - Introduction to City and Regional Planning Credits: 3

GPY/PA 312 - City and Regional Environmental Planning Credits: 3 /
ENS 312 - City and Regional Environmental Planning Credits: 3

GPY/PA 314 - Land Use and Planning Law Credits: 3

GPY/PA 316 - Introduction to Transportation Planning Credits: 3
GPY/PA 310 - Land Use Planning Credits: 3
Electives:

GPY 307 - Introduction to Computer Mapping/Geographic Information Systems Credits: 0 or 3

GPY/PA 324 - Urbanization Credits: 3


GPY/PA 365 - GIS for Economic & Business Decision Making Credits: 3
GPY 385 - Economic Geography of the United States Credits: 3

GPY 410 - Landscape Analysis Credits: 3 /
ENS 410 - Landscape Analysis Credits: 3
Students who decide to major in Geography and Planning
Students who decide to major in geography and planning may also use the below listed planning related electives:

ECO 345 - Environmental and Resource Economics Credits: 3


ECO 435 - Urban Economics Credits: 3

PA 307 - Local Politics and Administration Credits: 3

SOC 351 - Urban Sociology Credits: 3
ECO 436 - Real Estate Economics Credits: 3
Geography Program Description