Metropolitan Development

3 units

This course explores pluralist, pragmatic and progressive planning strategies for American urbanism. It will provide students with an introduction to the design and planning of American cities in the context of this country's democratic tradition, its multi-cultural society, and the particular morphology of its urban areas. Contemporary American cities have urbanized in unprecedented and distinctive ways that suggest the creation of a unique urban culture, despite the seeming globalization of urban trends, or the apparent universalization of urban forms. Identifying the role design can play in this culture requires a lucid appraisal of the context in which metropolitan development takes place. Four study modules will introduce basic issues in planning law, real estate finance, urban economics and environmental planning through lectures and research projects, as well the presentation of Metropolitan St. Louis development case studies by professional and political leaders.