Urban Design & Development is a course about the competing forces that shape our cities and communities. The course will involve students in the examination of the complex relationship between public policy and urban form and reveal the various ways that government policies, politics, and market forces shape the physical form of our cities and communities in both intentional and unintentional ways. In a seminar/lecture format students will examine how modern cities are designed and built and the mechanisms by which government and society attempt to understand, guide and regulate the individual buildings, neighbourhoods, open spaces and infrastructure that are the products of those forces. There is a natural tension between public and private forces – and the success or failure of cities often depends on the ability of opposing sides to work together to find an optimum development solution. In Ontario, when parties are unable to agree on the form of the proposed development -- developers are able to appeal their case to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) -- formerly the OMB and the LPAT.  

Starting with an understanding of the provincial, regional and local structures that form the framework for growth, students will examine the policies and guidelines that the various levels of government employ to shape their communities. This examination will include consideration of the numerous forces at play including policies, by-laws and guidelines and the ways in which they are interpreted and enforced by municipal staff, politicians, the general public and the OLT. During the term, students will have opportunities to engage with the dynamics of urban growth through in-class lectures; directed reading and research; presentations by individuals involved in proposing and planning for development; and individual or group seminar/presentations on relevant, selected topics.