Leadership in Planning: How to Effectively Advance Great Urban Planning Initiatives

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: Young planners just starting out will learn how to position themselves for success Mid-career professionals will gain the skills needed to get ahead in their organization and field Planning Directors and other senior managers will learn how to work within complex organizations to both make great planning happen – and keep their jobs! 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! 3b:T1112

• How to move great planning ideas forward in a complex environment
• The strategies and tactics of planning practice
• What lessons to learn from the failures and successes of past planning efforts
• When to push a good idea and when to hold back

• 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.)