Regional Planning 597S - ST- Scenario Planning

The goal of this seminar is to introduce students to scenario planning as a professional technique to address uncertain futures on behalf of our communities. Scenarios can be used to challenge conventional thinking and promote creative plan-making that is supported with rigorous analysis of empirical data. In a time when climate change, the automation of work, technology disruption, and social inequity must be confronted by planners, there is a need to address how various trends will impact the future and to provide this information to stakeholders and decisions makers in ways that both clearly communicate and educate. Students will develop skill in using one or more scenario planning tools and will receive a brief introduction to new methods and techniques that can be used in the plan making process. Students will engage with planning theory and research related to scenario planning.

This course is designed for RP graduate students across all four of our concentration areas. Students from other disciplines are welcome as well, including, but not limited to Environmental Conservation, Public Policy, and Engineering. GIS and a basic understanding of statistical methods is suggested but not required.