SAN JOSÉ STATE UNIVERSITY
URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING DEPARTMENT
URBP 260 / URBP 160/ ENVS 160 TOPICS IN ENVIRONMENTAL
PLANNING: TRANSPORTATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT
SPRING 2015
Instructor:
Joseph Kott, PhD, AICP, PTP
Office location:
WSQ 218
Telephone:
650-814-0961
Email:
Joseph.Kott@sjsu.edu
Office hours:
Wednesday, 3:00 – 4:00 pm; otherwise by appointment
Class days/time:
Wednesday, 4:30 – 7:00 pm
Classroom:
Sweeney Hall 240
Class website:
SJSU Canvas site for URBP 260, Fall 2105
Prerequisites:
For URBP 160/ENVS 160 Upper Division Standing or Instructor
Consent
None for URBP 260
Units:
4
Course Catalog Description
In-depth examination of selected topics specifically related to environmental planning. Normal grade
rules apply. Course is repeatable for credit when topic changes.
Course Description and Course Learning Objectives
Students enrolled in this course will be introduced to the complexities in the relationship of
transportation and the environment. An important theme of this class is that real world trade-offs
are inherent in addressing transportation as an important cause of environmental degradation.
Solutions considered have technical, socio-economic, and cultural impediments that can at times
appear intractable. Progress must be made in an environment of uncertainty and incomplete
information. Nevertheless, there are many hopeful indications that the goal of meeting society’s
mobility needs without harming the natural environment and human health is achievable.
Students will learn from case studies of success in creating more environmentally-benign forms of
access and mobility. Students will contribute their own ideas in class discussions and a term paper
on innovation in transportation policy to address environmental concerns.
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to do the following:
San José State University
Urban and Regional Planning Department URBP 260 Spring 2015
page 1 of 13
1.
Explain the connection between transportation system, air quality, water quality, human
health, and the livability of communities.
2.
Describe how motorized transportation, despite its many social and economic benefits,
comes at the cost of environmental (and, arguably, socio-economic) sustainability.
3.
Discuss the importance of land use in relation to the environmental impacts of
transportation.
4.
Explain the concept of environmental justice as it applies to the effects of transport system.
5.
Evaluate the effectiveness of a variety of measures to reduce the environmental impacts of
transport.
6.
Envision policy innovations that point the way to more sustainable transport systems,
cleaner air and water, more livable communities, and hence more sustainable cities and
regions.
Students will learn about the relationship between our transportation systems, natural resources,
urban land use, and human health and well-being.
Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) Knowledge Components
This course partially covers the following PAB Knowledge Components: 4.2.1. (a), 4.2.1. (b), 4.2.2.
(c), 4.2.2. (d), 4.2.3. (a), 4.2.3. (c), 4.2.3. (h), 4.2.4. (c), and 4.2.5.
A complete list of the PAB Knowledge Components can be found at
http://www.sjsu.edu/urbanplanning/courses/pabknowledge.html.
Required Course Texts
Bennett, V., Smith, W., & Betts, M. (2011). Toward Understanding the Ecological Impacts of
Transportation Corridors. Portland, OR: United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.
Transportation and Wildlife.pdf
Brunekreef, B., & Holgate, S. (2002). Air Pollution and health. The Lancet 360, 1233-1242. IVR
3A1 Brunekreef et al (2002).pdf
Ewing, R, Bartholomew, K., Winkleman, J, Walters, J., & Chen, D. (2008). Growing cooler: The
evidence of urban development and climate change. Washington, D.C.: Urban Land Institute. ISBN
978-0-87420-082-9. Available from the Urban Land Institute,
http://www.uli.org/ResearchAndPublications.aspx
Falconer, R. & Newman, P. (2008). Transport policy for a fuel constrained future: An overview of
options. World Transport Policy & Practice 14(3), 32-47. www.eco-logica.co.uk/pdf/wtpp14.3.pdf
Forkenbrock, D., & Sheeley, J. 2004. NCHRP report 532: Effective methods for environmental
justice assessment. Washington, D.C.: Transportation Research Board, National Research Council.
www.gulliver.trb.org/publications/nchrp/nchrp_rpt_532.pdf
Gallagher, S. & Collantes, G. (June 2008). Analysis of policies to reduce oil consumption and
greenhouse-gas emissions from the U.S. transportation sector. Cambridge, MA: John F. Kennedy
School of Government, Harvard University.
San José State University
Urban and Regional Planning Department URBP 260 Spring 2015
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http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/files/2008_Gallagher_Collantes_AutoPolicyModelingResults.p
df
Gorham, R. (2002). Air Pollution for Ground Transportation: An Assessment of Causes, Strategies,
and Tactics, and Proposed Actins for the International Community. New York: United Nations and
the World Bank. Gorham Air Pollutiion.pdf
Litman, T. (November 2011). Smart transportation emission reduction strategies. Victoria, B.C.:
Victoria Transport Policy Institute.
http://www.vtpi.org/ster.pdf
Litman, T. 2011. If health matters: Integrating public health objectives in transportation planning.
Victoria, B.C.: Victoria Transport Policy Institute. http://www.vtpi.org/health.pdf
Nevue Ngan Associates & Sherwood Design Engineers. 2009. San Mateo County sustainable green
streets and parking lots design guidebook.
http://www.flowstobay.org/ms_sustainable_guidebook.php
Newman, P. & Kenworthy, J. (2006). Urban design to reduce automobile dependence. Opolis 2(1),
35-52. http://escholarship.org/uc/item/2b76f089
Nixon, H. & Saphores, J.D. (2007). Impacts of motor Vehicle operation on water quality in the
United States – Clean-up costs and policies. Irvine, CA: University of California Irvine.
http://escholarship.org/uc/item/8tn1w17s
Transportation Research Board. (2003). TCRP report 93 – travel matters: Mitigating climate change
with sustainable surface transportation. Washington, D.C.: Transportation Research Board, National
Research Council http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp_rpt_93.pdf
Urban Land Institute. (July 2009). Moving cooler: An analysis of transportation strategies for
reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Washington, D.C.: ULI. ISBN 978-0-87420-118-5
Available from the Urban Land Institute, http://www.uli.org/ResearchAndPublications.aspxInsert
Students should purchase both of the above reports, Moving Cooler and Growing Cooler, from the
Urban Land Institute online bookstore:: http://uli.bookstore.ipgbook.com/
All of the above articles will be available on the class Canvas site in the Readings folder.
Course Assignments and Grading Policy
Your grade for the course will be based on the following assignments and other activities
Assignments and Graded Activities
Reading Memos, on reading done during the
preceding two weeks
Quiz #1, a short answer test on material covered to
date
Percent of
Course Grade
(Undergraduate
in Brackets)
Objectives Covered
10% (10%)
1 through 6
10% (12.5%)
1,2, 5 and 6
Course Learning
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Urban and Regional Planning Department URBP 260 Spring 2015
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Quiz #2, a short answer test on material covered to
date
10% (12.5%)
1, 3, 4, and 6
Presentation on a Transportation and Environment
topic
10% (0%)
Varies with topic, but
includes at least one of
the six Course Learning
Objectives
Policy Paper on a Transportation and Environment
topic; this is a synthesis of what the students
accomplished and learned in reference to the subject
matter and learning objectives for the class; intended
to be an engagement activity with reference to urban
planning as a discipline
25% (25%)
Varies with topic, but
includes at least one of
the six Course Learning
Objectives
Final Examination
35% (40%)
1 through 6
Extra Credit Activity, comprising attendance at a
public meeting, workshop, or lecture on a
Transportation and Environment topic and writing a
one-page summary of what you learned
2.5% (2.5%)
Varies with topic, but
includes at least one of
the six Course Learning
Objectives
The Reading Memos are 1 to 2 page commentaries on what you have read over the last two weeks.
Briefly discuss the highlights of what you have learned and add your own summary thoughts about
the readings. Graduate students will be required to give a presentation to the class on a topic related
to the course and approved by the instructor. Presentations should be no longer than 15 minutes in
length and preferably prepared in Power Point. The policy paper should be from 10 to 20 pages in
length on a topic related to the course and approved by the instructor. Minimum paper length for
undergraduates is 10 pages and the minimum paper length for undergraduates in 15 pages. The
policy paper is designed as an engagement activity for students, an opportunity to synthesize what
the student has accomplished and learned in reference to the subject matter and learning objectives
for the class. The Extra Credit assignment should specify the nature and date of the meeting,
workshop, or lecture attended, along with a summary of what the student learned at the event.
Additional details on each assignment will be posted on the class site on Canvas.
Calculation of Final Course Letter Grade
Each assignment will be graded on a point scale. Each point equals one percent of the final course
grade. For example, Quiz #1 represents up to 10% or 10 points of the total of a possible 105% or
105 points for the assignments in the course. The Service Learning / Extracurricular Learning Extra
Credit activity is worth up to 5% or 5 points.
The following point ranges will correspond to letter grades:
100.0 points and greater = A+
95 to 99.9 points = A
92 – 94.9 points = ASan José State University
Urban and Regional Planning Department URBP 260 Spring 2015
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89 – 91.9 points = B+
84 – 88.9 points = B
81 – 83.9 points = B78 – 80.9 points = C+
73 – 77.9 points = C
70 – 72.9 points = C67 – 69.9 points = D+
62 – 66.9 points = D
59 – 61.9 points = D58.9 and below = F
Other Grading and Assignment Issues
Late assignments will not be accepted without a compelling reason for the student missing the
deadline. An extra credit event must be approved for credit by the instructor before credit is given.
Course Workload
Success in this course is based on the expectation that students will spend, for each unit of credit, a
minimum of forty-five hours over the length of the course (normally 3 hours per unit per week with
1 of the hours used for lecture) for instruction or preparation/studying or course related activities
including but not limited to internships, labs, clinical practica. Other course structures will have
equivalent workload expectations as described in the syllabus.
Because this is a four-unit class, you can expect to spend a minimum of nine hours per week in
addition to time spent in class and on scheduled tutorials or activities. Special projects or
assignments may require additional work for the course. Careful time management will help you
keep up with readings and assignments and enable you to be successful in all of your courses. For
this class, you may wish to undertake an additional activity outside the class hours for extra credit.
Details on how to complete this and other course activities will be provided on the class Canvas site.
Academic Integrity Statement, Plagiarism, and Citing Sources
Properly
Your commitment, as a student, to learning is evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State
University. The University Academic Integrity Policy S07-2 at
http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S07-2.pdf requires you to be honest in all your academic course
work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the office of Student Conduct and
Ethical Development. The Student Conduct and Ethical Development website is available at
http://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/
Plagiarism is the use of someone else's language, images, data, or ideas without proper attribution. It
is a very serious offense both in the university and in your professional work. In essence, plagiarism
is both theft and lying: you have stolen someone else's ideas, and then lied by implying that they are
your own.
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Urban and Regional Planning Department URBP 260 Spring 2015
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Plagiarism will lead to grade penalties and a record filed with
the Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. In
severe cases, students may also fail the course or even be
expelled from the university.
If you are unsure what constitutes plagiarism, it is your
responsibility to make sure you clarify the issues before you
hand in draft or final work.
Learning when to cite a source and when not to is an art, not a science. However, here are some
common examples of plagiarism that you should be careful to avoid:

Using a sentence (or even a part of a sentence) that someone else wrote without identifying
the language as a quote by putting the text in quote marks and referencing the source.

Paraphrasing somebody else's theory or idea without referencing the source.

Using a picture or table from a webpage or book without reference the source.

Using data some other person or organization has collected without referencing the source.
The University of Indiana has developed a very helpful website with concrete examples about
proper paraphrasing and quotation. See in particular the following pages:

Overview of plagiarism at www.indiana.edu/~istd/overview.html

Examples of plagiarism at www.indiana.edu/~istd/examples.html

Plagiarism quiz at www.indiana.edu/~istd/test.html
If you still have questions, feel free to talk to me personally. There is nothing wrong with asking for
help, whereas even unintentional plagiarism is a serious offense.
Citation style
It is important to properly cite any references you use in your assignments. The Department of
Urban and Regional Planning uses Kate Turabian’s A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and
Dissertations, 8th edition (University of Chicago Press, 2013, ISBN 780226816388). Copies are
available in the SJSU King Library. Additionally, the book is relatively inexpensive, and you may
wish to purchase a copy. Please note that Turabian’s book describes two systems for referencing
materials: (1) “notes” (footnotes or endnotes), plus a corresponding bibliography, and (2) in-text
parenthetical references, plus a corresponding reference list. In this class, students should use
“notes”, plus a corresponding bibliography.
Accommodation for Disabilities
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to make
special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me
as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 at
http://www.sjsu.edu/president/docs/directives/PD_1997-03.pdf requires that students with
disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the Accessible Education Center (AEC) at
http://www.sjsu.edu/aec to establish a record of their disability.
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Urban and Regional Planning Department URBP 260 Spring 2015
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You can find information about the services SJSU offers to accommodate students with disabilities
at the Accessible Education Center website at www.sjsu.edu/aec.
Accommodation to Students' Religious Holidays
San José State University shall provide accommodation on any graded class work or activities for
students wishing to observe religious holidays when such observances require students to be absent
from class. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor, in writing, about such
holidays before the add deadline at the start of each semester. If such holidays occur before the add
deadline, the student must notify the instructor, in writing, at least three days before the date that
he/she will be absent. It is the responsibility of the instructor to make every reasonable effort to
honor the student request without penalty, and of the student to make up the work missed. See
University Policy S14-7 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S14-7.pdf.
Consent for Recording of Class and Public Sharing of Instructor
Material
Common courtesy and professional behavior dictate that you notify someone when you are
recording him/her. You must obtain the instructor’s permission to make audio or video recordings
in this class. Such permission allows the recordings to be used for your private, study purposes
only. The recordings are the intellectual property of the instructor; you have not been given any
rights to reproduce or distribute the material.
Library Liaison
The SJSU Library Liaison for the Urban and Regional Planning Department is Ms. Toby Matoush.
If you have questions, you can contact her at toby.matoush@sjsu.edu or 408-808-2096.
SJSU Writing Center
The SJSU Writing Center is located in Clark Hall, Suite 126. All Writing Specialists have gone
through a rigorous hiring process, and they are well trained to assist all students at all levels within all
disciplines to become better writers. In addition to one-on-one tutoring services, the Writing Center
also offers workshops every semester on a variety of writing topics. To make an appointment or to
refer to the numerous online resources offered through the Writing Center, visit the Writing Center
website at http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter. he SJSU Writing Center is located in Room 126 in
Clark Hall.
SJSU Counseling Services
The SJSU Counseling Services is located on the corner of 7th Street and San Fernando Street, in
Room 201, Administration Building. Professional psychologists, social workers, and counselors are
available to provide consultations on issues of student mental health, campus climate or
psychological and academic issues on an individual, couple, or group basis. To schedule an
appointment or learn more information, visit Counseling Services website at
http://www.sjsu.edu/counseling.
Dropping and Adding
Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drop, grade
forgiveness, etc. Refer to the current semester’s Catalog Policies section at
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Urban and Regional Planning Department URBP 260 Spring 2015
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http://info.sjsu.edu/static/catalog/policies.html. Add/drop deadlines can be found on the current
academic year calendars document on the Academic Calendars webpage at
http://www.sjsu.edu/provost/services/academic_calendars/. The Late Drop Policy is available at
http://www.sjsu.edu/aars/policies/latedrops/policy/. Students should be aware of the current
deadlines and penalties for dropping classes.
Information about the latest changes and news is available at the Advising Hub at
http://www.sjsu.edu/advising/.
Classroom Protocol
Students are expected to arrive in class by the appointed time. No cell phone use will be allowed
during class sessions. Should a student need to use the phone, he or she should go out into the
hallway or outside of the classroom building to do so. Students are expected to treat others
courteously and to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects well on them and on the San Jose
State University community. As a courtesy and to ensure efficient use of classroom time, students
are asked not to use their laptop or tablet computers during class for any purpose not related to the
course. Safety is a top priority. Everyone is asked to do their part to foster a classroom
environment in which all students are able to participate in a safe and productive manner.
San José State University
Urban and Regional Planning Department URBP 260 Spring 2015
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URBP 260 / URBP 160/ ENVS 160: TOPICS IN ENVIRONMENTAL
PLANNING – TRANSPORTATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT
SPRING 2015
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
The course schedule listed below is tentative and it is likely that it will be updated as the course
progresses. Any changes will be discussed in class with as much notice as possible. Assignment
deadlines, however, are unlikely to change.
Date
(Semester
Week)
Topic
Jan. 28
Introductions;
(Week 1)
Course Overview
Viewing the film Designing
Healthy Communities: Social
Policy in Concrete
February 4
(Week 2)
Readings
Assignments
Due
Falconer, R. & Newman, P.
(2008). Transport policy for a
fuel constrained future: An
overview of options. World
Transport Policy & Practice 14(3),
32-47.
Carbon Emission from
Transport: Problem
Definition and Policy
Alternatives
Gallagher, S. & Collantes, G.
(June 2008). Analysis of policies to
reduce oil consumption and
greenhouse-gas emissions from the
U.S. transportation sector.
Ted Talk by Gavin
Cambridge, MA: John F.
Schmidt and James
Kennedy School of
Hansen
Government, Harvard
USEPA video clip: Climate University.
Change: Lines of Evidence
Falconer, R. & Newman, P.
Reading Memo #1
Due, 4:30 pm,
February 4
(2008). Transport policy for a
fuel constrained future: An
overview of options. World
Transport Policy & Practice 14(3),
32-47.
San José State University
Urban and Regional Planning Department URBP 260 Spring 2015
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Date
(Semester
Week)
Topic
Readings
February 11
Carbon Emission from
Transport: Problem
Definition and Policy
Alternatives (continued)
Urban Land Institute. (July
2009). Moving cooler: An analysis
of transportation strategies for
reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Washington, D.C.: ULI.
(Week 3)
Video clips on urban
passenger rail and bus
rapid transit
February 18
(Week 4)
Carbon Emissions from
Transport: Problem
Definition and Policy
Alternatives (continued)
Video clips on cycling
cities
February 25
(Week 5)
Air Pollution from
Ground Transportation
Ecological Impacts of
Transportation Corridors
Video clips on Banff
Wildlife Crossing, Highway
Crossing Structures for
Wildlife in Utah, Animal
Bridges: Lifesaving Wildlife
Crossings, and China’s Toxic
Smog Problem
March 4
(Week 6)
Land Use, Urban Design,
and Greenhouse Gas
Emissions
Guest speaker (land use
planning practitioner to
be announced)
March 11
(Week 7)
Land Use, Urban Design,
and Greenhouse Gas
Emissions (continued)
Assignments
Due
Transportation Research Board. Reading Memo #2
(2003). TCRP report 93 – travel
due 4:30 pm,
matters: Mitigating climate change
February 18
with sustainable surface
transportation. Washington, D.C.:
Transportation Research Board,
National Research Council
Gorham, R. (2002). Air Pollution
for Ground Transportation: An
Assessment of Causes, Strategies,
and Tactics, and Proposed Actins for
the International Community.
Executive Summary, Chapter
II, and Chapter III.
Quiz #1 uploaded to
Canvas on February
14; due 7 pm on
February 25
Bennett, V., Smith, W., & Betts,
M. (2011). Toward Understanding
the Ecological Impacts of
Transportation Corridors, pp. 1-17.
Ewing. R, Bartholomew, K.,
Winkleman, J, Walters, J., &
Chen, D. (2008). Growing cooler.
Washington, D.C.: Urban
Land Institute. Chapters
1,2,3,4 and 5.
Reading Memo #3
due 4:30 pm, March
4
Growing cooler, Chapters 6, 7, 8,
9, and 10.
San José State University
Urban and Regional Planning Department URBP 260 Spring 2015
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Date
(Semester
Week)
Topic
Readings
Assignments
Due
March.18
Water Pollution and
Storm Water Runoff
Nevue Ngan Associates &
Sherwood Design Engineers.
2009. San Mateo County
sustainable green streets and parking
lots design guidebook. Chapters 1
and 2.
Reading Memo #4
due 4:30 pm, March
18
(Week 8)
Video clips on green
streets and parking lots
Nixon, H. & Saphores, J.D.
(2007). Impacts of motor
Vehicle operation on water
quality in the United States –
Clean-up costs and policies.
March 25
(Week 9)
April 1
(Week 10)
April 8(Week
11)
No Class – Spring Break
Week
Water Pollution and
Storm Water Runoff
Guest speaker (green
streets and parking lots
practitioner)
San Mateo County sustainable green
streets and parking lots design
guidebook. Chapters3, 4, 5, and
6.
Transportation and Public Litman, T. 2011. If health
Health / Transportation
matters: Integrating public health
and Environmental Justice objectives in transportation planning.
Victoria, B.C.: Victoria
Video lecture by Robert
Transport Policy Institute.
B. Bullard on The Quest for
Environmental Justice:
Brunekreef, B., & Holgate, S.
Human Rights
(2002). Air Pollution and
health. The Lancet 360, 12331242.
Quiz #2 uploaded to
Canvas on March
27; due 7 pm on
April 3
Reading Memo #5
due, 4:30 pm, April
8
Forkenbrock, D., & Sheeley, J.
2004. NCHRP report 532:
Effective methods for environmental
justice assessment. Washington,
D.C.: Transportation Research
Board, National Research
Council. [Skim only.]
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Urban and Regional Planning Department URBP 260 Spring 2015
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Date
(Semester
Week)
Topic
Readings
April 15
(Week 12)
Summing Up
Litman, T. (November 2011).
Smart transportation emission
reduction strategies. Victoria, B.C.:
Victoria Transport Policy
Institute.
Apr. 22
(Week 13)
Summary Lecture and
Class Discussion of
Transportation and the
Environment Policy
Options.
Assignments
Due
Newman, P. & Kenworthy, J.
(2006). Urban design to reduce
automobile dependence. Opolis
2(1), 35-52.
Seminar on
Transportation Policy and
Carbon and other Air
Emissions
Reading Memo #6
due, 4:30 pm, April
22
Graduate student
presentations.
Apr. 29
(Week 12)
Seminar on Urban
Growth Policy and
Carbon and other Air
Emissions
.
Graduate student
presentations
May 6 (Week
13)
Seminar on
Transportation and Urban
Growth Policy and Water
Pollution
Graduate student
presentations.
May 13
(Week 14)
Seminar on
Transportation and Public
Health
.
Policy Paper Due at
Beginning of Class
Graduate student
presentations
May 15 (Final Final Examination from
Exam)
2:45 PM to 5:00 PM
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Urban and Regional Planning Department URBP 260 Spring 2015
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San José State University
Urban and Regional Planning Department URBP 260 Spring 2015
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