Most popular programs
Trending now
Good planning practice is more than technical skills- it’s leading people to plan and follow through! This course supplements technical and legal training for graduate students and mid-career urban planners by providing skills and techniques to help lead planning initiatives and organizations. Using a case study-driven format, the course will emphasize how to apply technical and legal skills effectively in a complex and shifting public arena.
After a course session ends, it will be archived.
This course teaches practicing and aspiring city planners – and those in related fields – how to take good ideas and make them happen. Since the failures of urban renewal in the US and elsewhere in the world, the planning profession has struggled with the perception that bold planning meant doing bad things to communities. This course challenges that concept by separating out the effective leadership skills planners need from the bad decisions many planners made in the mid-20th century.
In this course:
This course is not your typical course in city planning. Nor is it like the business management courses offered on leadership in the private sector. This course is specifically designed for planners in public and non-profit organizations, as well as planning practitioners in private consulting who work with public agencies.
How is this course different? Unlike many traditional planning courses, we look at where planning practice runs up against politics and management challenges. We will look at media relations as well as how to work within complex organizations to advance great plans. We’ll also look at models such as strategic planning and facilitative leadership that help get things done.
Finally, we offer a series of video case studies with experienced planners who have founded great planning organizations, implemented important plans, and advanced policy initiatives.
Advance your planning career as a leader in planning, with the help of this course!
Students should enter this class with a basic idea of planning theory and practice in the American context (the equivalent of 1-2 undergraduate or graduate level course in urban and/or regional planning.)
The Challenge of Leading as a Professional Planner
Managing and Leading a Planning Office
Keeping Planning Issues in the Forefront of an Organization
Making a Compelling Case for Planning in the Public Arena
When Planners Get It Right
Q. Do I need a lot of planning experience or background to take this class?
A. No. Some basic background and experience in planning practice is helpful but you don’t need to already be in a leadership position to benefit from this course.
Q. Is this course only useful for planners working in public agencies and departments?
A. A lot of the material is focused on public offices. However, the lessons taught are useful in private planning consulting as well as in non-profit organizations that work in planning related fields. Political leaders interested in planning can also learn a lot from this class!
Who can take this course?
Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.
Who can take this course?
Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.
