Environmental Planning and Management

Urban Planning and Development October 25, 2025
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Introduction

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the integration of environmental considerations into planning processes at local, regional, and national levels. It covers the legal and regulatory frameworks, such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and explores tools for natural resource management, pollution control, and habitat conservation. Participants will learn how to balance development pressures with ecological integrity and public health. The course emphasizes strategic, proactive planning to create sustainable human settlements that minimize their ecological footprint.

Objectives

The objective of this course is to equip participants with the knowledge and tools to effectively integrate environmental principles into planning and management decisions. Upon completion, participants will be able to:

Target Audience

  • Urban and Regional Planners
  • Environmental Consultants and Analysts
  • Government Staff in Environmental Agencies
  • Land Use and Development Professionals
  • Civil Engineers and Landscape Architects
  • Conservationists and Non-profit Leaders
  • Students in Planning, Ecology, or Public Policy

Methodology

  • Case Studies of complex Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)
  • Group Activities: Conducting a simplified environmental screening for a development project
  • Discussions on the political and ethical trade-offs in environmental regulation
  • Individual Exercises: Analyzing a local community's vulnerability to climate impacts
  • GIS mapping and remote sensing demonstrations for environmental inventory
  • Expert presentations on compliance with specific environmental regulations

Personal Impact

  • Master the legal and procedural requirements of environmental review (e.g., NEPA/EIA)
  • Improve ability to assess the environmental consequences of development proposals
  • Gain expertise in advanced water and ecological resource management techniques
  • Enhance skills in developing and implementing effective mitigation measures
  • Be a more effective collaborator across planning, engineering, and environmental teams
  • Develop a proactive, long-term perspective on environmental sustainability

Organizational Impact

  • Ensure organizational compliance with complex environmental laws and regulations
  • Reduce legal risk and project delays associated with inadequate environmental review
  • Facilitate the creation of more sustainable and resilient communities
  • Improve the management and conservation of local natural resources
  • Enhance public trust and stakeholder relations by transparent environmental planning
  • Proactively plan for climate change adaptation and environmental hazards

Course Outline

Unit 1: Foundations and Legal Framework

Environmental Planning Context
  • The historical evolution of environmental consciousness and regulation
  • Core concepts: carrying capacity, ecological footprint, and resilience
  • Integrating environmental goals with economic development and social equity
  • The precautionary principle and adaptive management approaches
Regulatory Frameworks
  • The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its procedural requirements
  • Understanding the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process
  • Key environmental laws (e.g., Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act) and their planning implications
  • State and local environmental review processes and their relationship to zoning

Unit 2: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

The EIA Process
  • Defining the scope and purpose of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
  • Methods for baseline data collection and environmental inventory
  • Techniques for predicting and quantifying project impacts (e.g., traffic, noise, air quality)
  • Developing effective mitigation measures and monitoring plans
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
  • The need for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for plans and policies
  • Comparing and contrasting EIA and SEA in their application and scope
  • Integrating SEA into comprehensive and sectoral plans (e.g., energy, transport)

Unit 3: Natural Resource Planning

Water and Watershed Management
  • The principles of watershed-based planning and regional water quality control
  • Protecting sensitive water resources: aquifers, rivers, and wetlands
  • Low Impact Development (LID) and green infrastructure for stormwater management
  • Planning for flood risk mitigation and floodplain management (NFIP)
Land and Habitat Conservation
  • Techniques for open space and habitat preservation (easements, land trusts)
  • Planning for biodiversity and ecological networks in urban areas
  • Soil conservation and managing slope stability (geotechnical considerations)
  • Addressing issues of brownfields, site remediation, and redevelopment

Unit 4: Pollution Control and Urban Ecology

Air and Noise Management
  • Sources and impacts of urban air pollution and air quality planning
  • Transportation Control Measures (TCMs) for reducing mobile source emissions
  • Principles of noise pollution measurement and abatement strategies
  • Integrating air quality planning with land use and transportation decisions
Urban Ecology
  • Understanding the urban ecosystem and the impact of built form
  • The role of urban forests, green roofs, and urban agriculture
  • Managing solid waste and moving towards zero-waste planning
  • Energy planning, renewable energy siting, and grid resilience

Unit 5: Climate Change and Future Directions

Climate Adaptation and Mitigation
  • Integrating climate change risk and vulnerability assessment into planning
  • Developing climate change adaptation and mitigation plans (e.g., GHG reduction)
  • The role of policy and land use in promoting energy efficiency and conservation
  • Coastal zone management and sea-level rise planning

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