Planning (PLAN)

Subject-area course lists indicate courses currently active for offering at the University of Louisville. Not all courses are scheduled in any given academic term. For class offerings in a specific semester, refer to the Schedule of Classes.

500-level courses generally are included in both the undergraduate- and graduate-level course listings; however, specific course/section offerings may vary between semesters. Students are responsible for ensuring that they enroll in courses that are applicable to their particular academic programs.

Course Fees

Some courses may carry fees beyond the standard tuition costs to cover additional support or materials. Program-, subject- and course-specific fee information can be found on the Office of the Bursar website.


PLAN 501. Urban Environmental Quality3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Description: A study of environmental aspects of urban areas and analysis of inter- and intra-city variations in environmental quality.

Note: Cross-listed with GEOG 561.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 511. Planning Theory & History3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Description: This course will introduce the historic foundation of modern urban planning, and investigate the central themes in planning theory, using both historical and contemporary contexts to assist in the understanding of its role in shaping planning thought and practice.

Note: Cross-listed with PLAN 601, PADM 507, PADM 607, UPA 684.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 600. Planning History and Issues3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Description: The history of planning and contemporary issues with a special emphasis on the role of planners, zoning and law.

Note: Cross-listed with GEOG 628.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 601. Planning Theory and History3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Description: This course will introduce the historic foundation of modern urban planning, and will investigate the central themes in planning theory, using both historical and contemporary contexts to assist in the understanding of its role in shaping planning thought and practice.

Note: Cross-listed with PLAN 511, PADM 507, PADM 607, UPA 684.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 602. Research Methods for Public Affairs3 Units

Description: Introduction to the scope and methods of applied research for the public and nonprofit sectors. Focuses on problem structuring through logical methods, exploring problems through observation and other methods of data collection, analyzing and summarizing findings using both qualitative and quantitative methods.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 603. Urban Economics3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PLAN 500 and ECON 500, or consent of instructor.

Description: Application of economic theory to urban policy issues including metropolitan development and job creation, poverty, crime, transportation, environment, spatial structure, and other issues.

Note: Cross-listed with ECON 605, UPA 603, and PADM 640.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 604. Applied Research Methods3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Description: This course is designed to provide students with the basic analytic tools that are commonly used by professional planners and policy analysis in their daily practice, with a special emphasis on techniques for population and economic analysis. The course will instruct students in foundational statistical methods and techniques, as well as additional analytical tools, including the assumptions underlying the tools and methods and strengths and weaknesses of the tools and methods.

Note: Cross-listed with PADM 601 and URBS 504.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 605. Land Use & Planning Law3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Description: Examination of legal issues related to planning and land use activities in the U.S. It explores the legal standards by which land use is regulated, planned. Students will study various legal and regulatory tools, including ordinances, state and federal legislation, and legal decisions. Considerable attention will be given to planning perspectives on legal problems, as well as legal perspectives on planning problems.

Note: Cross-listed with LAW 904 and UPA 678.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 606. Internship & Professional Practice3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Description: Application of internship experience to government organization; the role of planning in governmental decision-making; the planner's relations with citizens, politicians and administrators; strategies for dealing with conflict, pressure, and uncertainty; and ethics.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 607. Land Use Planning3 Units

Description: This course provides an understanding of the history and current characteristics of land use planning and policy. Topics include the comprehensive plan, regulatory controls such as zoning, fiscal mechanisms of control, land use and environmental disputes, regional planning, and growth management.

Note: Cross-listed with UPA 683.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 608. Geographic Information Systems3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Description: Application of GIS to real world projects. An emphasis will be placed on the development of a digital spatial database.

Note: Cross-listed with GEOG 657 and UPA 629.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 609. Public Budgeting and Finance3 Units

Description: Examines public budgeting and finance from economic, political, and institutional perspectives. Topics include: budget process, approaches and techniques of budgeting, ethics, intergovernmental fiscal relations, revenue-raising, capital budgeting, debt administration and risk management.

Note: Cross-listed with UPA 647 and PADM 604.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 610. Public Management3 Units

Description: Administration of the organization from the point of view of top level management. Formulation and administration of policies and practices. Development of long-range strategic plans as well as the diagnosis, analysis, and evaluation of specific organizational problems.

Note: Cross-listed with UPA 672 and PADM 605.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 611. Human Resources Management3 Units

Description: Basic theories, public policies, laws, regulations, problems, and prospects of human resource development and management within the context of the public sector.

Note: Cross-listed with PADM 642 and UPA 667.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 612. Mediation and Dispute Resolution3 Units

Description: Designed principally for incipient practitioners of the mediation process. Class participation serving as a mediator in cases presented to the class, and a short paper depicting mediating in process are the course requirements.

Note: Cross-listed with PADM 648 and POLS 628.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 613. Foundations of Public Administration3 Units

Description: Using the classic writings in the field of public administration for the past 150 years, the course explores the theoretical foundations of public administration and applies the theories to current practice in public administration.

Note: Cross-listed with PADM 600, POLS 625, and UPA 661.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 614. Real Estate Market Analysis3 Units

Prerequisite(s): GEOG 327 or Urban Economics or consent of the instructor.

Description: Covers concepts, methodologies and analytical tools used in urban real estate market analysis, with a particular emphasis on site selection using GIS applications.

Note: Cross-listed with GEOG 635.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 615. Spatial Statistics3 Units

Prerequisite(s): PLAN 602 or consent of instructor.

Description: The analysis of spatial patterns and processes through the use of spatially-based statistics.

Note: Cross-listed with GEOG 656.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 616. Analytical Urban Geography3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Prerequisite(s): PLAN 618 or consent of instructor.

Description: Advanced analysis of urban spatial processes and patterns with an emphasis on qualitative models.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 617. Housing and Community Development3 Units

Description: Examines issues in housing and community development.

Note: Cross-listed with UPA 648 and PADM 626.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 618. Urban Demography and GIS3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing.

Description: This course will introduce students to geographic information systems (GIS) as an analytical tool with which to study urban demographic issues. The material will be geared towards students in the urban planning, public administration, and urban studies programs, with a focus on demographic data and issues frequently encountered by planners, policymakers, and policy analysts. Topics that will be covered include migration, housing and neighborhood development, segregation, and land use.

Note: Cross-listed with SUST 518, URBS 518, PADM 621.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 620. Environmental Policy3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Description: Survey of environmental issues and policies designed to address those issues.

Note: Cross-listed with PADM 627, UPA 679, and POLS 627.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 622. Urban Design3 Units

Description: Covers theories, principles, and processes of urban design, including applications to actual design problems.

Note: Cross-listed with UPA 682.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 624. Urban Transportation Planning3 Units

Prerequisite(s): ECON 605, PADM 640, PLAN 603, or UPA 603.

Description: Analysis of characteristics and costs of existing and innovative urban transportation systems. Role of planning methods in estimating transportation usage and choosing optimal plans.

Note: Cross-listed with UPA 690.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 625. Historic Preservation and Sustainable Practice3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Description: This course is a graduate level course on historic preservation, examining sustainable practices in Louisville and other regions. The course examines architecture and the built environment as it relates to historic preservation, urban revitalization, and the contributions of other disciplines such as urban planning, economics, and political science to the principles and practice of preservation.

Note: Cross-listed with PADM 651 and UPA 651.
Note: Course fee.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 626. Economic Development3 Units

Description: The course provides an introduction to the many facets of economic development, including the context theory, process and practice of economic development planning and policy.

Note: Cross-listed with PADM 645, UPA 640, POLS 603.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 628. Economic Conditions and Forecasting3 Units

Prerequisite(s): ECON 600 or ECON 605/UPA 603/PLAN 603/PADM 640.

Description: Develops quantitative tools for the analysis and forecasting of economic phenomena. Both structural & time models are presented. Basic Econometric methods are used to fit models and evaluate their forecasting properties.

Note: Cross-listed with ECON 620 and UPA 624.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 631. Real Estate Principles3 Units

Description: The course provides decision makers with an understanding of real estate that will enable them to make informed business and development decisions relating to real estate development.

Note: Cross-listed with FIN 631.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 632. Independent Study1-6 Units

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 633. Real Estate Development3 Units

Description: An introduction to real estate development as an entrepreneurial opportunity and to the study of the interrelationship dynamics of marketing, finance, property management, site acquisition and disposition.

Note: Cross-listed with FIN 633.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 634. Real Estate Finance and Investment3 Units

Description: Introduction to financial and investment analysis with applications to real estate.

Note: Cross-listed with FIN 634.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 635. Comparative Urban Development3 Units

Description: Examines urban development in a cross national perspective. Traces the formulation, strategy and implementation or management of urban development policy in a number of nations. While the emphasis is on North America and West Europe, the lessons have broader relevance for other parts of the world, and will be applied to developing areas.

Note: Cross-listed with UPA 623.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 636. Site Planning3 Units

Description: This course introduces art and aesthetics of site planning through lectures, readings, discussions, site visits, and a studio project.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 638. Urban Justice & Policy3 Units

Prerequisite(s): For Law School students: LAW 802, LAW 804, LAW 806, LAW 810, LAW 811, LAW 803, LAW 805, LAW 807, LAW 808, LAW 812, unless approved by Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.

Description: All other students: must be a graduate student in good standing unless waived by the professor teaching the course. For other students: graduate status or permission of instructor. An interdisciplinary study of various theories and concepts of justice in cities. Students will study selected urban policy problems through the perspectives of diverse theories and concepts of justice.

Note: Cross-listed with LAW 846, SUST 638, UPA 638.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 650. Capstone Studio6 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Description: This course integrates the various elements of the planning program while providing the opportunity to work on real planning problems.

Course Attribute(s): CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 652. Neighborhood Planning Studio3 Units

Description: The course introduces skills, practices, and values fundamental to successful neighborhood planning as well as explores the various planning approaches upon which the field is based.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 663. Social Equity and the Public Sector3 Units

Description: This course will provide a comprehensive review of social equity in American public administration. There is a course fee of $12.50/credit hour.

Note: Cross-listed with PADM 663 and UPA 663.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 664. Cultural Competency and Action3 Units

Description: This course primarily focuses on the professional development of public administrators. It seeks to improve their knowledge about diverse issues of discrimination and prejudice in the public sector. It provides a framework for examining factors related to discrimination as well as racism, sexism, and heterosexism in terms of political history, power, stereotyped perceptions and practices across society, groups and among individuals. There is a course fee of $12.50/credit hour.

Note: Cross-listed with PADM 664 and UPA 664.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 670. Sustainable Development and Planning3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Description: The course is designed to address the institutions and governance in sustainable development, and will take an interdisclipinary approach. The course will support the proposed interdisclipinary MA/MS in Sustainability degree, anticipated for a Fall 2015 start.

Note: The course will be open to graduate students in any program at UofL.
Note: Cross-listed with PADM 670, UPA 670.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 675. Introduction to Sustainability3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing.

Description: It is a graduate survey course of theory, issues and challenges in the area of sustainability. Open to any graduate student at UofL.

Note: Cross-listed with PADM 675, UPA 675.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 676. Sustainable Social-Ecological Systems3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing.

Description: The course is designed to address the social and ecological frameworks for understanding and applying sustainability concepts in both theory and practice. The course will be open to graduate students in any program at UofL.

Note: Cross-listed with PADM 676 and UPA 676.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

PLAN 680. Special Topics in Urban Planning1-6 Units

Description: An advanced study of a selected topic in urban planning.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes