Northwest Developments: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Northwest Developments: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly focuses on Northwest communities from the perspective of public policy, land use and economics/personal finance. The Northwest is growing rapidly and these perspectives will provide the basics for a better understanding of our public places from cities to subdivisions to rural development. Central questions that we will address include: "What do we want our public and private spaces to look like? How do communities plan for and accommodate growth? How do progressive policies develop and get funded? Comparisons to other communities, cities, states and countries (Germany in particular) will be examined and discussed for their instructive value.

This program is sure to be an eye-opener for anyone who wonders why and how places develop. Where did that Wal-Mart come from? Why did those trees get cut down for new homes? We will focus on the local decision-making that shapes our environment and consider what types of development and redevelopment are sustainable, both financially and environmentally. Students will explore different communities' orientation to cars, transit, bicycles and pedestrians as well. Architecture and urban design aspects will round out our analysis. Class sessions will include lectures, workshops, films and field trips to Port Townsend, DuPont and Seattle. The fall quarter will focus on the public policy, land use planning and economics necessary for students to conduct their own significant project during winter quarter. Seminar texts will offer a theoretical background in these issues as well as a look at some contemporary communities in the news.

In the winter quarter, students will continue their theoretical learning while taking on some of their own community and economic planning in the form of a group project. Specifically, students will work in teams to prepare research, or other solutions, for selected urban and rural planning issues around Washington. These projects may involve group travel. With faculty support, students will hone their ability to work in teams and develop their presentation skills.