I. Course Overview
In 1973, Oregon passed the
Oregon Land Use Act (ORS 197) which established one of the most progressive statewide
planning systems in the United States. The Oregon system established many land use
conventions such as urban growth boundaries, resource land conservation policies, and
interagency coordination that many other states have attempted to emulate. The system has
been in place for more than 25 years now, and has undergone a significant evolution during
that time.
The Oregon system included the establishment of the Land
Conservation and Development Commission, the statewide commission charged with
establishing policy and ensuring local regulatory compliance. The Department of Land
Conservation and Development was established to serve as staff to the Commission. The Act
also required the development of statewide planning goals. At this time, Oregon has 19
statewide planning goals that address a variety of planning issues and provide guidance to
local communities on how to plan for those issues.
This class is designed to introduce you to (1) the Oregon state and
local planning processes, (2) various statutes and administrative rules that govern land
use and land use planning in Oregon, and (3) perspectives of professionals engaged in land
use planning. You will learn these various tools and techniques through class discussions,
several assignments, and a project that will result in a final report and presentation.
This class will address the following topics:
- What is land use planning?
- Current and long range planning
- Land use planning in urban areas
- Basic structure of the municipal planning process
- Review of development applications and permits
- Rural land use planning
- Resource land policies
- Coastal planning
- Planning for natural hazards
- Planning for development of infrastructure
- Transportation planning
- Housing
- Economic development
The class will be a combination of lectures, discussions,
and presentations by practicing planners. Lectures will lead into focused discussions of
concepts and readings. To supplement the lectures, I’ve lined up a series of guest
speakers from various public, private, and non-profit organizations.
II. Reading Materials
- A reading packet (available at the UO Bookstore) and
other materials as assigned.
- Materials posted on the class WWW site.
Other Selected Readings:
The Practice of Local Government Planning, 2ne Edition, Frank
So, Editor, International City Management Association, 1988.
The Regulated Landscape: Lessons on State Land Use Planning from
Oregon, Gerrit Knapp and Arthur C. Nelson, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 1992.
Land Use Planning in Oregon: A No Nonsense Handbook in Plain
English, Mitch Rohse, Oregon State University Press, 1987.
Planning the Oregon Way: A Twenty-Year Evaluation, Carl
Abbot, Sy Adler, Deborah Howe, Oregon State University Press, 1994.
Guide to Local Planning and Development, Bureau of
Governmental Research and Service, 1986.
III. Grading
Your grade will be determined based on the
following:
|
Attendance
& Participation
|
10%
|
|
Assignment
(4)
|
20%
|
|
Midterm
|
20%
|
|
Project
|
25%
|
|
Final
|
25%
|
|
Total
|
100%
|
Late assignment policy: I strongly
discourage submitting assignments late. Late assignments will receive a 20 percent penalty
for each day past the due date.
IV. Class Web Page
If you're reading this, you've already found the
class Web page. To supplement discussions, provide class notes and additional information,
and post announcements, I have set up a Web site for the class. I expect you to use this
as a resource throughout the course, since I'll be building it throughout the term you
should visit at least once a week.
I also encourage all students to subscribe to the
Oregon Planning Network (OPN), the mailing list of the Oregon Chapter of the American
Planning Association. To subscribe, send a message to:
majordomo@lists.uoregon.edu
with the message text:
subscribe opn
You will receive a message confirming your request.
Respond to it and you’re subscribed.
V. The Course Project
In early February I will assign and discuss the course
project. The purpose of the project is to apply concepts covered during class to an
analysis or evaluation of a component of the Oregon land use program. You can select a
topic of your choice, or consult with me on other appropriate topics. Your research will
result in a 15-25 page analysis of your planning or growth management issue.