Advisors: See Faculty of Environment undergraduate advising.
School of Planning students may choose to graduate with up to two specializations.
All specializations require a minimum cumulative specialization average of 75%.
Decision Support and Geographic Information Systems Specialization
Geographic information systems (GIS) are used commonly by planners to manage, analyze, and visualize data related to urban planning and resource management. Students completing this specialization will have a sound grasp of the principles of GIS and the means to apply this technology effectively in research capacities and in planning practice. The Diploma of Excellence in Geographic Information Systems is not available to students graduating with this specialization.
Successful completion requires:
- 3.5 units distributed as follows:
- ENVS 278 Applied Statistics for Environmental Research
- PLAN 281/GEOG 281 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- At least 2.5 units from (see additional condition):
Environmental Planning and Management Specialization
The Environmental Planning and Management Specialization is for students intending to integrate ecology and environmental management into their career plans. It is intended for those with an urban focus as well as for students with rural, resource hinterland, or park planning interests.
Successful completion requires:
- 3.5 units distributed as follows:
- ENVS 200 Field Ecology
- PLAN 340 Canadian Environmental Policy and Politics
- PLAN 341/GEOG 368 Conservation/Resource Management of the Built Environment
- At least 2.0 units from (see additional condition):
Land Development Planning Specialization
The Land Development Planning Specialization trains planning students to develop or redevelop land in communities. Land development planners practice in complex, high-profile, and often contentious decision-making environments. To be effective practitioners in this planning context, students acquire a good working knowledge of land use planning regulations, planning law, policy, and land development issues. Graduates with this Specialization would be ready to work in the land development industry, municipal planning, or private planning practice.
Successful completion requires:
- 5.5 units distributed as follows:
- PLAN 103 Planning, Administration, and Finance
- PLAN 233 People and Plans
- PLAN 261 Urban and Metropolitan Planning and Development
- PLAN 346 Advanced Tools for Planning: Public Participation and Mediation
- PLAN 401 Planners and Planning Tribunals
- PLAN 483 Land Development Planning
- ENVS 201 Introduction to Canadian Environmental Law
- At least 2.0 units from (see additional condition):
Urban Design Specialization
The Urban Design Specialization acknowledges the student's competence in design and prepares them for work in public and private practice. Urban design focuses on the look and feel of our communities. An urban designer might be part of creating, for example, public squares, urban streetscapes, or urban parks. This Specialization also provides a sound foundation for graduate studies in urban design.
Successful completion requires:
- 4.0 units distributed as follows:
- PLAN 110 Visual Approaches to Design and Communication
- PLAN 210 Community Design Fundamentals for Planners
- PLAN 211 Design Studio Foundations
- PLAN 409 Urban Design Studio (1.0 unit)
- At least 1.5 units from (see additional condition):
Additional condition for all specializations:
PLAN 490 Senior Honours Essay (1.0 unit) topics - if related to the specialization - may be approved as an elective course requirement by the associate director, undergraduate studies, School of Planning.