GIS and Representation for Planning

While urban planners use a variety of modes to communicate ideas, visual expression is one of the most compelling methods to describe the physical environment. This course presents modes of representation and graphic design fundamentals that are necessary to effectively communicate planning concepts. The course explores both historical and contemporary modes of representation as it relates to urban planning and emphasizes the analytical skills and research techniques necessary to inform planning strategies and plan making. The class is structured into two complimentary segments, one dealing with principles and the other concentrating on technique. This course operates in conjunction with the first semester Core Urban Planning Studio GSD1121. Information technology plays an important role in the urban planning process. Students in GSD3329 will learn strategies for integrating diverse information in a framework for research, collaboration, and communication. Students will gain familiarity with the technical tools essential to planners: Geographic Information Systems for making maps and exploring relationships in the physical, regulatory and demographic dimensions of the landscape. Desktop publishing tools, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign will be used to distil ideas into effective graphic presentations. Spreadsheet models will be used to compare the capacities of past, current and future scenarios. Students will also learn to use basic three-dimensional modeling tools to portray how regulation, finance and phasing is may be manifest in the three dimensional form of alternative future scenarios.Prerequisites: Enrollment in the Urban Planning program