SYLLABUS
Land Use Analysis (Geography 572)
TTH 3:30 – 4:45 AH-4176 Schedule # 21661 Fall 2015
Welcome to Land Use Analysis! In this class you will engage in a comprehensive theoretical
and practical approach to the examination of how we use land and plan for land uses in the
United States. The evolving land ethic, the processes involved in land use decisions, and the
mechanics involved in effecting these decisions are all discussed. We are particularly
concerned with examining how to plan land uses that are healthy for communities, are
sustainable and environmentally sound and that provide positive benefits to the economy and
society. Competing uses of land, including non-use, and the environmental and social effects of
use are reviewed, along with urban renewal, and specific policies and regulations that are
required in land use decisions at the local, state and federal levels of government. This is a very
practical course, one which will give you “real world” valuable tools for land use analysis and
planning. For example, some of the policies we go over are local, state and federal, such as
General Plans, the California Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Policy
Act. Also, in recognition of natural resource planning, current sustainability concepts, such as
“green design”, “smart growth”, and the tools to achieve these, are given throughout the
course.
Instructor: Diana Gauss Richardson
Office: Storm Hall 301B; Office hours: T/TH 11:00am – noon, 2:00pm-3:00pm; W 1pm –
3:30pm; and specific appointments. My door is usually open, so please feel free to drop
by anytime.
Phone: 594-5476; email: drichard@mail.sdsu.edu
Check Blackboard (BB) for notices, assignments, posting of scores, other relevant course
information.
TEXTS:
1) Seven Rules for Sustainable Communities, Design Strategies for the Post-Carbon World,
by Patrick M. Condon, 2010
2) The Nature Principle, by Richard Louv, 2011
3) Articles and other readings will be posted on Blackboard
FORMAT:
Course format is lecture-based, supported by texts, readings, guest lectures, field trips, and a
special event: California Environmental Quality Act. This evolving policy directly affects most
land use decisions in CA. Even if you never use it, it is important to know how it applies to
development decisions. This half-day seminar (9:00am – 1pm) on Oct. 24 is a beginning course
in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and is highly encouraged – save the date!
points. More information forthcoming.
Alternatively, if you cannot attend the seminar, you can prepare a research paper (5-6 pages)
summarizing the attributes of CEQA, addressing specific questions. This is also worth up to 40
points.
TERM PROJECT:
Factors involved in land use analysis and planning will be reviewed throughout the semester.
You will be given a project site, and will evaluate its suitability for development/redevelopment.
The following outline details the required product and due date. The term project is worth 150
points altogether. Any late assignments are worth half credit. We will visit the project site on
tba. The location is in National City, and detailed directions will be posted on Blackboard.
(Waiver forms must be signed in order to attend this field trip.) Martin Reeder, the City Planner
for National City will work with you on this project, and will lead the field trip. Photographs of
the site will help in your analysis; bring your camera.
For the project site, we will examine the history, important policies, regulations and other
information that affect the site. These will include the 1) General Plan Land Use
Designation, the 2) Site Opportunities and Constraints (the physical/cultural/historical
setting), 3) Policies pertaining to development (CEQA, NEPA, USFWS, Coastal Act, CA Dept.
Fish and Wildlife, etc.), 4) Neighborhood Dynamics and Needs (demographics, services,
mass/public transit opportunities, etc.), and 5) Green/sustainable design principles that
site development should consider and incorporate, and any other relevant information.
We will visit the site together as a class, and discuss many of these topics. We’ll note
surrounding land uses.
Site Analysis and Plan
1) For the analysis, you will prepare a written report of approximately 5-6 pages (max 12 pt.
font, 1.5 space, normal margins) that summarizes the key components of the analysis,
including each of the 5 topic areas listed above. (Use subheadings for each of the topics.)
Your integration of material given in lecture and from the readings will be a big
component of your grade on this portion. The paper is worth 80 points and due on Dec. 2.
2) The site plan for the site will be a group project, with 4-5 people in a group. This plan will
be what you believe would be a sustainable, productive and sensitive use for the site, and
something that is consistent and/or compatible with the surroundings. The proposed land
use should be described in detail, as well as graphically detailed. You do not need to be an
artist or have skills to do the graphic representation – it can be a handwritten drawing – as
long as it shows how your proposed land uses are laid out on the site (site footprint). In the
description, you can use details, such as solar panels, landscaping, building footprints, any
water features, etc. Examples of the plan layout and description will be given in class.
You will receive an individual grade (30 pts. possible), and a group grade (40 pts. possible).
Each person in the group will be responsible for a particular component of the plan, and the
end product will be a team effort. We will work on a schedule for various tasks completion
during class.
Group presentations of projects will occur in the last two or three class sessions. Format
should be professional: professional clothing (as possible), group dynamics worked out so
that each person plays a role, and power point slides to demonstrate topics.
TEXT REVIEWS:
Each of the two texts will be reviewed by answering questions pertaining to the chapters; these
will be due following the readings, and a schedule of the due dates is shown on the Course
Schedule. The text responses will be worth a total of approximately 120 points.
ATTENDANCE:
I assume you will attend class, as you are paying for it and will be learning very valuable
information
class.
from it. Your attendance demonstrates your interest and commitment to this
EXAMS:
No exams. But, I will randomly ask for reflections and summaries of course content – you can
use your class notes (but no internet/computer).
GRADES:
Your final grade is based on the total score at the end of semester. The total score will include
all assignments – readings responses, reflections/summaries, and term project. Grading will be
based on the following percentages: 92% + A; 90-91% A-; 89% B+; 81-88% B; 80% B-; 79 % C+;
70-78% C; 69% C-; 68% D+; 60-67% D.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge gained in the following areas by their
performance in the responses to the readings, the term project, the reflections/summaries, and
class participation. Major topics that students should demonstrate knowledge in: 1) changes in
land development perceptions over time in the U.S., 2) various mechanisms of planning and
analysis as described throughout the course, 3) examples of land uses at all levels of
government, 4) critically think through a development scenario, 5) think critically about healthy
and sustainable urban design, and 6) be aware of the planning/political process in land use
decisions.
COURSE SCHEDULE We will follow the course schedule as outlined below. You are responsible
for knowing the information on this schedule; I may not remind you of upcoming assignments
due. If the schedule is amended, I will give you adequate notice so that you may adjust your
calendars.
Week of
Aug. 24
31
Sept. 7
Topic
Introduction, Land Uses in
the U.S.; Historical
perspective on land use
planning.
Readings
General Plan
L Ch. 2-4
Government agencies
involved in land use
planning/decisions.
L Ch. 5-7
Select Important Dates
Louv (L) Ch. 1
Condon (C) Ch. 1
Remember: Random
reflections/summaries
could occur any day.
Field trip to site: tba
Guest speaker: Martin
Reeder, City of National City
(Sept. 8th)
14
Regional Planning; SANDAG,
JPAs, Special Districts, LAFCO
L Ch. 8-10
21
Sustainable Development,
“Green” Design, LEED,
“Smart” Growth
L Ch. 11-13
Calif. Env. Quality Act –
history and events that led
to its adoption
L Ch. 14-17
Other state regulations incl.
CA Coastal Act, CA Fish and
L Ch. 14-21
28
Oct. 5
RESPONSES to Louv,
Chpts. 1-7, C Chpt. 1 due
Sept. 17
(ALL assignments are
due on the Thursday of
the week shown)
Responses to L Ch. 8-13
Wildlife
12
Site characteristics – topog.,
drainage, vege, etc.;
community; infrastructure;
etc.
19
The Nature of Cities (film)
C Ch. 2
Responses to L Ch. 14 21
Oct. 24, 1/2-day CEQA
Workshop, 9:00am –
1pm
26
Water! Considering water in
planning (GPs, site design)
C Ch. 3, 4
Federal agencies (NPS,
USFWS, USFS, BLM)
C Ch. 5-6
9
Federal requirements.
National Environmental
Policy Act, Endangered
Species Act, Clean Water Act
C Ch. 7 -8
16
Examples of actual designs
and projects
23
Format for presentations.
No class Thursday –
Thanksgiving!
Nov. 2
30 – Dec.
7
Class presentations
Responses to C Chpts. 2-6
Responses to C Chpts. 7, 8
ALL project papers due
Dec. 1; term
presentations will be
scheduled.
CLASS COURTESY and ACADEMIC BEHAVIOR: If you are a person with manners, honesty
and civility, then you don’t need to read this paragraph.
It is important that courtesy be maintained in the class. Basic courtesies include: not
speaking while the professor or another student is, remaining in your seat during the entire
class period (i.e., taking care of personal business before and after class, arriving on time
and not leaving early), not dominating questions/discussion time, and turning off cell
phones, all electronics (generally, civil, mature and respectable behavior). Of course,
cheating and plagiarism are not tolerated – complete course failure or failure of an
assignment would ensue if either occurred. See Academic Integrity below. Your attendance
in this class confirms your commitment to upholding these basic courtesies and behaviors.
Academic Integrity: The faculty and staff demand the highest levels of academic and
professional integrity in all work at San Diego State University. Plagiarism, cheating on
exams, copying another student’s work, or any other type of academic dishonesty, will be
referred directly to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities for disciplinary action.
You will receive zero points on the exam or assignment.
Americans with Disabilities Act (DA) Accommodation: The University is committed to
providing reasonable academic accommodation to students with disabilities. The Student
Disability Services Office provides university academic support services and specialized
assistance to students with disabilities. Individuals with physical, perceptual, or learning
disabilities as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact Student
Disability Services for information regarding accommodations. Please notify me so that
reasonable efforts can be made to accommodate you. If you expect accommodation
through the Act, contact the Student Disability Services Office at (619) 594-6473.
Website: http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/sds/sds-main/prospective-general-info.html
Source: http://bit.ly/z7Xv7K
This syllabus is intended to guide us through the course. However, circumstances can change
and so I reserve the right to change the syllabus/schedule as needed to ensure that we fulfill the
objectives of the course. You will receive full and fair notification regarding any such changes.