Field Studies in Real Estate, Urban Planning and Design

Field Studies in Real Estate, Urban Planning and Design: Redeveloping the historic AMTRAK Penn Central train station district in Baltimore, MD and the I-195 riverfront corridor in Providence, RI

This course provides students with an understanding of the dynamics and complexities of real world development that create contemporary urban physical environments. The course emphasizes the integration of urban planning, urban design and development aspects of projects that respond to realistic market demand, political, financial, regulatory, and stakeholder constraints. It is designed for urban planners, designers, and real estate students to broaden their understanding of solving complex urban and economic development problems, as well as to improve their skills in master planning, design, financial, and ESG impact analysis.
 
The pedagogical objectives of the course are as following:
 
1. to introduce students to the intrinsic linkage between financial soundness and design creativity required in the process of real estate development
 
2. to introduce students to the framework of capital market mechanisms and the broad range of activities involved in achieving successful real estate development with special attention to the various roles played by professional service providers
 
3. to expose students to as many aspects of real estate issues and decision-making challenges as possible. Students will work in teams of four or five.  The teams may change from the first to second part of the course.
 
4. During the semester, investigations include development feasibility studies (market, physical, environmental, financial, regulatory and political), site planning, master planning, urban design, building design, financing-public/private joint ventures, public and ESG (environmental, social, governance) impact, and other critical factors for creating the best strategic vision for each project.

Cost to students for local travel (Providence, RI) will be meals, incidentals, and ground transportation to Providence, RI. Cost to students for travel to Baltimore, MD will be $150 (term-billed) plus meals and incidentals.

8 seats are included in the GSD Limited Enrollment Course Lottery. Students selected in the Lottery will be prioritized for the Baltimore site. The course will accommodate additional students who will focus on the Providence site.

SCHEDULE NOTE, this course meets on Tuesday, September 5th at 6 PM in Gund 318. Students who are enrolled or waitlisted through the GSD Limited Enrollment Course Lottery must attend or contact the instructor.

The first day of GSD classes, Tuesday, September 5th, is held as a MONDAY schedule. After the evening meeting noted above, the first official class meeting of this course will be on Tuesday, September 12th. It will meet regularly thereafter.