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GEOG 346:
Urban and Regional Change
Management
Course Outline (S15 N01)
Office:
Phone (local):
Email:
Office Hours:
Instructor
Don Alexander
Bldg. 359, Room 215
2261 (If you are out of the local calling area, dial 1-888-920-2221, then 2261).
don.alexander@viu.ca
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:30 to 3:30, or by appointment
Classroom:
Bldg. 370, Room 243
Lectures:
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Required Textbook:
Grant, Jill (ed.). 2007. A Reader in Canadian Planning: Linking Theory and
Practice (Toronto: Thomson Nelson). Additional readings will be assigned from time to time.
Highly Recommended: Happy City: Transforming Our Lives through Urban Design by Charles Montgomery
(Toronto: Doubleday Canada, 2013).
[Lectures and assignments will be on my web site: http:web.viu.ca/alexander2 under “Courses”; there will be
no Desire2Learn.]
Course Description
This course will look at the current and emerging issues facing planners, citizens and others in managing
and organizing the cities, towns, and regions of Vancouver Island, and North America more broadly. It will
touch on climate change, peak oil, water/food and energy security, demographic change, diverse and
affordable housing, transportation, a changing economy, culture and place-making, and the role of nature
in the city and region.
Course Learning Objectives
To be able to








Describe and analyse the emerging issues and stresses that are facing municipalities and
regions
Analyse and assess the impacts that current urban development patterns are having on the
global ecological and social justice crisis
Dissect and analyse past and emerging paradigms for urban and regional development
Analyse issues related to sprawl, density, land use mix, and transportation infrastructure
Analyse and assess the role of “sense of place” in urban and regional management
Analyse and assess the role of nature in an urban and regional context
Demonstrate skill in coming up with viable solutions to current urban and regional
challenges
Markedly improve your writing, speaking, research, and analytical skills.
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COURSE STRUCTURE:
The course will involve two one and half hour lectures per week, occasional guest speakers, videos, mini-field
trips, and class discussion. In addition to the final exam, there will be one mini-assignment, a field trip
assignment, and a major project. The mini-assignment will involve group work in class and will involve
analytical and creative skills. The field trip assignment will involve working with one or two other people to
explore urban form issues outside of class time. The major project will involve looking at a case study that
tries to successfully address issues of urban and/or regional change management.
Course Schedule (subject to change)
Date
Week
1- Jan.
6&8
Lecture Topics
Introduction to
Urban and
Regional Change
Management;
Introduction to the
Course and to New
Issues and
Imperatives
Discussion
Course Focus and Objectives
Discussion:

How have the issues and imperatives of
urban and regional management begun
to change?

What were they in the past?

What is the nature of the threats posed
by climate change and water, energy,
and food security?

What is the relationship of urban form to
human well-being and happiness?
Discussion:

What is peak oil and what can
municipalities and regions do about it?

Why is the building sector so important
and what can municipalities do to
influence it?

What are the implications of peak oil for
food security and what can be done
about it?
Discussion:

What is the optimal land use and density
mix for reducing the ecological footprint
of urban dwellers and promoting health
and conviviality?

What kinds of public space promote
‘hanging out’ and social interaction?
Readings/Assignments

Montgomery, Ch. 1 and
pp. 100-105

Grant, pp. 233-243; 261274. Beatley in Sanyal, et
al. [see bib.]

Grant, pp. 350-358 (347350 optional); Condon.
Ch. 4 [see bib. – e-book in
library]; Montgomery, Ch.
6
Grant, Ch. 8;
Montgomery, Ch. 7 [see
bib.]; outline for case
study project due
Week
2- Jan.
13 &
15
Sustainable Urban
and Regional
Development
Week
3- Jan.
20 &
22
Week
4- Jan.
27 &
29
Week
5- Feb.
3&5
Land Use Mix and
Density
Housing Mix and
Affordability
Discussion:

What are some ideas and successful
strategies for enhancing the availability
of affordable housing?

What are some barriers?

Condon, Ch. 6; Mayor’s
Vancouver Task Force on
Affordable Housing – see
http://vancouver.ca/yourgovernment/mayors-taskforce-on-housingaffordability.aspx
Week
6- Feb.
10 &12
Sustainable
Transportation
Discussion:

What are the social and mental health
implications of different transportation
configurations?

Grant, Ch. 12;
Montgomery, Chs. 8 & 9;
Condon, Ch. 2
See also VTPI web site
Urban Design/
Public Space


3

Week
7- Feb.
10 &12
Open Space, Green
Space, and Green
Infrastructure
Discussion:

How can linked natural spaces serve a
variety of functions?

How can we deploy infrastructure to
lessen our ecological footprint and even
restore ecological functioning?

How does one assess the degree of
interconnection in the case of Nanaimo?
Week 8
Week
9- Mar.
3&5
No classes
Study Days
Urban Agriculture

Week
10Mar.
10 &
12
Changing
Economy,
including Retail
Week
11Mar.
17 &
19
Week
12Mar.
24 &
26
Arts and Culture
Week
13Mar.
31 &
Apr. 2
Week
14Apr. 7
&9

[see bib.]
Given the Nanaimo’s current layout, how
could one promote more sustainable
transportation?
What different forms can urban
agriculture take?
What is the significance of these forms?

Grant, pp. 243-258;
Condon, Chs. 7 & 8

De la Salle and Holland,
pp. 30-35 (minimum) [see
bib.] – on reserve; field
trip assignment due 3/5
Alexander and Shaw [see
bib. – on reserve]; Grant,
pp. 277-281.
Discussion:

What significant changes are occurring in
the economy and what are the
implications for cities and regions?

What are some strategic options for
cities and regions that are losing their
traditional resource and/or industrial
base?
Discussion:

What contribution do the arts make to
the local and regional economy?

Why are culture and sense of place so
important in the 21st century city?

Demographic
Change (age,
multiculturalism);
Citizen
Participation
Discussion:

What are the major demographic
changes that will pose challenges for
municipalities and how can they cope
with these?

How can citizens be effectively involved
in local decision-making?

Presentations on
major projects
Case studies that illustrate strategies and tools for
transforming our cities and regions


Wrap-up and
Review
Wrap-up and Review
Discussion:

How will cities and regions of the future
manage themselves differently than
today?
Final Exam (Date



Shore, pp. 14-19 – to be
put on reserve; Baeker –
on reserve
Possible speaker
Grant, Ch. 7; Uyesugi &
Shipley [see bib; available
through on-line journals];
Wates [see bib.]
See also Canadian Urban
Institute at
http://www.canurb.org/c
uipublications/repositioning
-age-friendlycommunities.html
Conclusion
Major projects due on
3/31
4
TBA)
Course Website:
The course website will not be on Desire to Learn (D2L). The website (see URL above) will contain lecture
notes, assignment instructions, and other relevant material.
Evaluation:
Attendance and Participation
Mini-Assignment
Field Trip Assignment
Case Study Project (inc. 5% for outline)
Final Exam
10%
15%
20%
30%
25%
throughout
throughout
3/5
3/31
TBA
Attendance and Participation:
You are expected to show up in class on time and to participate in class discussions. This takes some
degree of preparation to do effectively, including doing the week's readings before class, reflecting on the
readings and on topics discussed in previous classes, and maybe even examining some of the optional
readings or finding new ones that pertain to the topics being discussed that week.
In class discussions, I request that you respect the ideas, thoughts, and opinions of others, including mine.
Respect does not necessarily imply acceptance. I have my own biases, but I do not expect you to share
them. In fact, independence of thought and critical thinking will contribute to you getting a high mark in
the course. Discussions are intended to provoke discussion and debate, and you should show a readiness
and willingness to share and support your ideas, feelings, and thoughts on a wide range of issues. If you
are not comfortable with speaking up much in class, you can contribute in other ways, such as making me
aware of relevant resources that I can share with the rest of the class.
Participation Assessment Criteria:
1.
Attendance
Always
2.
little or none
orderly, fairly thorough
competent
disjointed, cursory
unimaginative
Expressive Element (clarity, fluency, concision)
Brief, clear, interesting
5.
fair share
Cognitive Element (knowledge, logic, creativity, question-asking)
Logical, thorough
Imaginative
4.
never
Amount of Contribution to Class
Outstanding
3.
mostly
wordy, confused, tedious
Affective Element (enthusiasm, co-operation)
Enthusiastic, sharing
lacklustre, domineering
Laptop/Phone Policy:
Laptops will be allowed in class. However, if they start to be used for doing Facebook, surfing the net
(other than to get information to support class topics), or messaging, their use will be stopped. Please turn
off your cell phones or put them on vibrate when you enter class. If you absolutely need to take a call
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during class, please exit the classroom as quietly and unobtrusively as possible. Cell phones and laptops
are not permitted during exams.
Field Trip Assignment
This will be conducted either in Vancouver or in Nanaimo depending on what is most feasible. More
details will be forthcoming.
Case Study Project
The major project will be worth 30%, with 5% for an outline due in Week 4. The project will consist of a
case study where a city, town or urban region is implementing strategies and tools for addressing one or
more of the issues covered in this course. You will identify the issue(s) addressed, how the jurisdiction
came to engage with them, the strategies and tools used, and evaluate their accomplishments to date. You
will also discuss what you see as the strengths and weaknesses of the approach undertaken, specific
opportunities and challenges revealed, and lessons regarding transferability. More detailed instructions
will be available shortly, along with additional resources.
NOTE: Whenever submitting written work, always parenthetically reference your sources, preferably using
either APA style or University of Chicago [see http://libguides.viu.ca/citing]. Also: print all assignments doublesided or use scrap paper.
Late Assignments
ONLY authorized medical reasons (i.e., a doctor's note) or immediate family tragedy will be accepted as
reasonable cause for missing an exam or handing in an assignment late. NO substitute assignments or
exams will be accepted in this course, nor will plagiarism be tolerated. For VIU’s policy on academic
integrity, see www.viu.ca/policies/policy.asp?rdPolicyNumber=99.01. Dissatisfaction with any grade
received on an exam or an assignment must be lodged with me within 48 hours of receiving it. The policies
of VIU will govern any further appeals regarding grades.
NOTE: Students with documented disabilities requiring academic and/or exam accommodation should
inform me and contact Disability Services, Building 200, or call 740-6446.
In the event of a snowstorm or other extreme weather event, I will try to send out an e-mail if class is
cancelled, but always check the VIU homepage for a closure notice. The information there takes priority.
Grading Scheme
A+
90-100%
Outstanding performance
A
85-89%
First-class performance
A-
80-84%
Excellent performance
B+
76-79%
Very good performance
B
72-75%
Good performance
B-
68-71%
Average performance
C+
64-67%
Fair performance
C
60-63%
Below average performance
C-
55-59%
Passing performance
D
50-54%
Marginal performance
F
Below 50%
Failing performance
Recommended Reading and Reference List
Alexander, Christopher, et al. 1977. A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction. New
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York: Oxford University Press.
Alexander, Don and Pamela Shaw, “Say Goodbye to Small Retail: Should We Care?” Plan Canada
(Summer 2012).
Alexander, Don, Ray Tomalty, and Mark Anielski. 2004. BC Sprawl Report: Economic Vitality and
Livable Communities. Vancouver: Smart Growth BC.
Arendt, R. 1996. Conservation Design for Subdivisions. Washington, DC: Island Press.
Baeker, Greg. 2010. Rediscovering the wealth of places: a municipal cultural planning handbook for
Canadian communities.Union, ON: Municipal World.
Beatley, Timothy. 2010. Biophilic Cities: Integrating Nature into Urban Design and Planning. Washington:
Island Press.
Beatley, Timothy. 2004. Native to Nowhere: Sustaining Home and Community in a Global Age.
Washington: Island Press.
Bish, Robert L. and Eric G. Clemons. 2008. Local Government in British Columbia [4th ed.]. Richmond, BC:
Union of BC Municipalities. [available on-line at
www.northernrockies.ca/assets/City~Hall/PDFs/Local_Government_in_BC.pdf
Blais, Pamela. 2011. Perverse Cities: Hidden Subsidies, Wonky Policy, and Urban Sprawl. Vancouver: UBC
Press.
Buholzer, William. 2001 (and updates). British Columbia Planning Law and Practice. UK: Lexis Nexis/
Butterworths.
Bunting, Trudi, Pierre Filion, and Ryan Walker (eds.). 2010. Canadian Cities in Transition: New Directions in
the Twenty-first Century. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press.
Calthorpe, Peter. 2010. Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change. Washington, DC: Island Press.
Campbell, Scott. 1996. “Green Cities, Growing Cities, Just Cities?” American Planning Association Journal
62, no. 3: 296-312.
Condon, Patrick. 2010. Seven Rules for Sustainable Communities: Design Strategies for the Post-Carbon
World. Washington, DC: Island Press.
De la Salle, Janine and Mark Holland. 2010. Agricultural Urbanism: Handbook for Building Sustainable
Food and Agricultural Systems in 21st Century Cities. Vancouver: GFB/ HB Lanarc.
Duany, Andres and Jeff Speck (with Mike Lydon). 2010. The Smart Growth Manual. New York: McGrawHill.
Florida, Richard. 2008. Who’s Your City: How the Creative Economy is Making…. New York: Basic Books.
Gilbert, Richard and Anthony Perl. 2010. Transport Revolutions: Moving People and Freight Without Oil.
Gabriola Island: New Society Publishers.
Harcourt, Mike, et al. 2007. City Making in Paradise. Vancouver: Douglas and McIntyre.
Hayden, Dolores. 2004. A Field Guide to Sprawl. New York: W.W. North & Co.
Hern, Matt. 2010. Common Ground in the Liquid City: Essays in Defense of an Urban Future. Edinburgh: AK
Press.
Hodge, Gerald and David Gordon. 2007. Planning Canadian Communities: An Introduction to the
Principles, Practice and Participants [5th ed.]. Scarborough, ON: Nelson College Ltd.
Hodge, Gerald and Ira M. Robinson. 2001. Planning Canadian Regions. Vancouver: UBC Press.
Jacobs, Jane. 1961. The Death and Life of Great American Cities. New York: Vintage.
James, Sarah and Torbjorn Lahti. 2004. The Natural Step for Communities. Gabriola Island, BC:
New Society Publishers.
Kunstler, James Howard. 1996. Home From Nowhere: Remaking Our Everyday World for the
Twenty-first Century. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Kunstler, James Howard. 1993. The Geography of Nowhere: The Rise and Decline of America’s
Man-Made Landscape. New York: Simon & Schuster.
LeGates, Richard T. and Frederic Stout (eds.). 2000. The City Reader [2nd ed.]. London:
Routledge.
Lerch, Daniel. 2008. Post-Carbon Cities: Planning and for Climate and Energy Uncertainty. Santa Rosa, CA:
Post Carbon Institute.
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LeSalle, Janeane and Mark Holland. 2010. Agricultural Urbanism: Handbook for Building Sustainable Food
and Agricultural Systems in 21st Century Cities. Vancouver: HB Lanarc.
Leung, Hok-Lin. Land Use Planning Made Plain (2nd ed.). 2003. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Leung, Hok-Lin. 2003. Land Use Planning Made Plain [2nd ed.]. Toronto: University of Toronto
Press.
Lorinc, John. 2006. The New City. Toronto: Penguin Canada.
McHarg, Ian. 1971. Design With Nature. New York: Doubleday: Natural History Museum Press.
Moe, Richard and Carter Wilkie. Changing Places: Rebuilding Community in the Age of Sprawl.
New York: Henry Holt & Co.
Newman, Peter, Timothy Beatley, and Heather Boyer. 2009. Resilient Cities: Responding to Peak Oil and
Climate Change. Washington: Island Press.
Newman, Peter and Isabella Jennings. 2008. Cities as Sustainable Ecosystems: Principles and Practices.
Washington: Island Press.
Register, Richard. 2006. Ecocities: Rebuilding Cities in Balance with Nature (revised edition). Gabriola
Island, BC: New Society Publishers (e-copy available through the library).
Roseland, Mark. 2012. Towards Sustainable Communities: Solutions for Citizens and Their Governments.
Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers (e-copy available through the library).
Rybczynski, Witold. 2000. A Clearing in the Distance: Frederick Law Olmsted and America in the
Nineteenth Century. New York: Simon Shuster.
Sanyal, Bishwapriya, et al. 2012, Planning Ideas That Matter: Livability, Territoriality, Governance, and
Reflective Practice. Cambridge: MIT Press.
Soderstrom, Mary. 2006. Green City: People, Nature and Urban Life. Montreal: Vehicule Press.
Spirn, Anne Whiston. 1984. The Granite Garden: Urban Nature and Human Design. New York:
Basic Books.
Stein, Jay M. 1995. Classic Readings in Urban Planning: An Introduction. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Stephani, Carl. J. and Marilyn C. Stephani. 2011. Zoning 101: A Practical Introduction. n.p. CreateSpace.
Tomalty, Ray and Don Alexander. 2005. Smart Growth in Canada: Implementation of a Planning
Concept. Ottawa: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
Uyesugi, Joyce L. and Robert Shipley. 2007. “Visioning diversity: Planning Vancouver's multicultural
communities.”International Planning Studies 10:3-4.
Wates, Nick. 2006. The Community Planning Handbook. London: Earthscan.
Wheeler, Stephen M. and Timothy Beatley (eds.). 2004. The Sustainable Urban Development
Reader. London: Routledge.
Journals
Alternatives Journal
Local Environment
Municipal World
Plan Canada
PlanningWest
Web Sites
About Planning Directory
[http://www.about planning.org/directory.html]
American Planning Association (see on-line journal, Planning, recent conference proceedings at
http://www.planning.org, and their handbook on farmland preservation strategies)
Canadian Institute of Planners
[http://www.cip-icu.ca/English/aboutplan/]
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
[http://www.cmhc.ca]
Canadian Urban Institute
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[http://www.canurb.com]
Center for Livable Communities
[http://www.lgc.org/center/]
Congress for the New Urbanism
[http://www.cnu.org/index.cfm]
Cyburbia
[http://www.cyurbia.org/]
Design for Sustainability
[http://www.dcs.sala.ubc.ca/]
Dynamic Cities
[http://www.dynamiccities.org]
Ideas Into Action: The University of British Columbia and the 2006 World Urban Forum, Vancouver
Working Group Discussion Papers
[http://www.ahva.ubc.ca/WUF/papers/index.html]
Lincoln Institute for Land Policy (see particularly “Visualizing Sprawl”)
[http://www.lincolninst.edu/index-high.asp]
New City Institute
[http://www.newcity.ca]
New Urban News
[http://www.newurbannews.com]
Planetizen
[http://www.planetizen.com/]
Planners Web
[http://www.plannersweb.com/]
Smart Growth Online
[http://www.smartgrowth.org/default.asp]
Techniques of Urban Sustainability: Urban Villages (by Jeff Kenworthy)
[http://www.sustainability.murdoch.edu.au/casestudies/Case_Studies_Asia/urbvill/urbvill.htm]
Union of BC Municipalities
[http://www.civicnet.bc.ca/]
Urban Land Institute
[http://www.uli.org/DK/index.cfm?CFID=413390&CFTOKEN=67735548]
Victoria Transportation Policy Institute
[http://www.vtpi.org]
[MANY MORE RESOURCES CAN BE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST]