GEOG 463  APPLICATIONS IN URBAN PLANNING

The purpose of this class is to introduce you to real case studies and local practices in planning.  We will be working closely with the West Bridgewater Conservation Commission to look at how updating the town's Conservation Land Inventory may lead to future land use decisions.  Various parcels of town-owned land and/or land under conservation protection can have an economic impact beyond the "mere" aesthetic value of green space, especially if there is a plan to utilize this space for parkland and recreation - this could lead to potential uses for an expanded recreation/tourism economy in the area.     In addition, we will also be visiting OCPC (Brockton) and SRPEDD (Taunton) to look at ongoing projects at the regional level in Southeastern Massachusetts, and as time allows, we will also try to fit some time in at one or more local planning offices.

Requirements:    A.  Students will be interning at the West Bridgewater Conservation Commission office, with specific duties to help develop a method of updating the Conservation Land Inventory.  Two set orientations are required: (1) Thu, Jan 25, we will meet with Ms. Kitty Doherty at the commission office to discuss how and when that work will be done over the course of the semester, and (2) Wed, Feb 7, 1 pm, training session for Pictometry imagery software at the West Bridgewater High School.  THESE SESSIONS ARE MANDATORY.    B.  Various required readings throughout the semester will be posted here.  These will be focused on issues that come up during the course of the semester relevant to the project and to related planning problems and practices.   C.  Grading: 1/3 of the grade will be based on successful completion of the internship (based on evaluations by me and the worksite supervisor); 1/3 of the grade will be based on participation in reading assignment discussions and external assignments (such as meetings at regional and local planning offices), and 1/3 of the grade will be based on a public presentation at the end of the semester.  This will be held in the GeoAnalysis Lab.  Students will be required to make a 15-20 minute presentation, related their work to broader planning history and practice.

First Reading Assignment: West Bridgewater Conservation Commission, Town River Shoreline Survey

Go to:        http://www.nrtb.org/townriver/shrlnsrvy.shtml