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Worldwide cities are growing rapidly and by the year 2050 more than 70% of the world’s population will be urban residents. Cities and metropolitan regions are the economic engine of countries, however, cities are facing difficult land use and  mobility issues. Road-networks are heavily congested, public transport-systems are insufficient and cycling is unsafe. The economic vitality and livability of cities are under growing pressure. Land use and mobility planning has become key factors in  planning for successful development of our cities. In addition as cities grow and the world becomes increasingly urbanized the integration of land use and transportation planning is among the most important tools that planners can use in mitigating the crisis of climate change. 

This is a multidisciplinary course that teaches students how to translate key elements in the planning of sustainable cities (i.e. economic vitality, attractive public spaces, sustainability, resiliency, and social equity), utilizing best practices in the U.S., England and The Netherlands. Classroom lectures and field trips focus on land use planning and zoning; sustainable mobility; Transit Oriented Development; environmental policy; and multi-modal transportation infrastructure. Professionals in these three countries provide students with a deeper understanding of how and why land use planning is a central component of successful sustainable mobility.  With this understanding students can better apply best practices from England and The Netherlands to solving problems in Puget Sound and other areas in the United States.

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