Description of Courses Given by Department of City and Regional Planning

 

First Year Courses

 

CRP 101 Planning Studio I (4-4) 6

The planning studio course is offered once throughout the cirriculum of the Department of City and Regional Planning. It comprises several lectures as well as design and drawing sections. The instructor team facilitates these lectures, introducing students to the fundamental concepts and tools of basic design. This enables students to apply these tools in individual design and drawing exercises, as well as collective group discussions about the submitted assignments. Therefore, the primary aim of this studio is to help students: Develop an understanding of design thinking using abstract concepts; Attain proficiency in visual representation; Acquire foundational knowledge of visual design culture and design skills.

 

CRP102 Planning Studio II (4-4) 6

This course aims at promoting visual representation in two and three-dimensional mediums, thinking critically and creatively about cities, understanding the basics of cartography, advancing on the graphic models via manual and computer-aided skills. Through intriguing examples, theories, and exercises, the course aims to stimulate exploration and generate novel ideas to represent space and its place in nature. At the end of the academic year, students must have acquired skills and abilities of spatial perception, thinking in a systematic manner about space, observation of urban problems and potentials (and visually representing them), organization of physical space in 2- and 3-D, critical thinking, basics of problem-solving and storytelling.

Prerequisite for CRP 102 is CRP 101.

 

CRP 108 Urbanization and Urban Sociology (3-0) 3

This is a must course for the first year students in the department of City and Regional Planning. It attempts to provide an analysis of the process of urbanization in history, in developing countries and in western industrial countries at the present time while identifying the sociological processes distinctive to cities and metropolises of the modern period. Themes of urban social theory are also given throughout the course when relevant.
The main dynamics that played an important role in the development of cities in the course of the history of urbanization are also explored. By focusing on the diverse economic dynamics and periods of production that lead to diverse spatial dynamics and urbanization processes, development of cities in general, and urban spatial development in particular is going to be tackled in this course. Comparative cases will be provided to display how similar and different dynamics of urbanization have been triggered by similar forces and processes throughout the history in diverse periods namely prehistory, preindustrial era, modernity and industrial capitalism, Fordism and post-Fordist era and period of neoliberal globalization.
Together with these, concepts and terms relevant for an explanation of urban dynamics (e.g. social class, social inequality and socio-spatial differentiation, residential segregation, as well as suburbanization, metropolitan growth, post modern urbanism etc.) are introduced. The course will also cover such issues as major theoretical debates over space and society in urban sociology, the relatedness and interdependency of urban space; and the social organization of life in the city. In addition, this course aims to provide as much comparative material as possible, in order to view local conditions (e.g. Turkey, Ankara, Istanbul) within a wider context (the world), and expose the similarities, variations or differences between processes.

 

CRP 111 Introduction to City and Regional Planning (3-0) 3

The course primarily aims to provide an introduction to understand urbanisation process, its components, context and ways of intervention to urbanisation problems by providing a historical and critical look. The course aims also to raise students’ awareness on urban issues and problems by focusing on recent debates on the urbanisation process in Turkey. Throughout the course students will also become familiar with scientific research/writing, group work, departmental staff and their areas of expertise. 

 

CRP 135 Graphic Communication for Planners (2-2) 3

Representing ideas visually can be a powerful tool in helping urban planners and designers explain complex policies and proposals, and take control of the planning and design process. This course is designed for first year undergraduate students. Through a series of lectures and drawing exercises, the course examines conventions for depicting space, form, and information as used by urban planners and designers.

  

CRP 146 Introduction to Computers in Planning (2-2) 3

The class will focus mainly on the digital tools used to plan and design the place. There is no one application that does everything a city and regional planner needs to do. Therefore, students will be exposed to a number of different applications. They will then learn how to integrate digital data between these different applications.

This course will investigate the use of digital technologies in city and regional planning profession. It will explore the tools and procedures to prepare professional drawings used to communicate design information and present that information in a professional manner.

 

 

Second Year Courses

 

CRP 201 - 202 Planning Studio III-IV (4-8) 8

The aim of this planning studio is to give theoretical and practical skills of comprehensive planning. Hence the town in focus is studied in its regional context, its problems are depicted, its parts are defined. Finally in handling the whole, land use and transportation compatibility is searched and as far as parts are concerned design skills in shaping the urban environment are developed.

Prerequisite for CRP 201: CRP 102

Prerequisite for CRP 202: CRP 201

 

CRP 213 The City in History (3-0) 3

The aim of this course is to make an introduction to the development of cities throughout world history, to discuss the theoretical and methodological problems in historical analysis of cities and urbanization, and to have a discussion of dynamics in shaping urban centers from the Early Bronze Age through the 20th century. The effect of different political econnomic contexts and material conditions on the urbanisation process is the foci of this course.

 

CRP 214 Creative Thinking for Planners (3-0) 3

This course aims to introduce the students with the basic conceptions and skills needed for creative thinking to be utilised in the act of planning which requires the basic cognitive faculties such as reflection, analytical comprehension and cognisance as well as the constructive, interventionist and generative mode of engagements like design and politics. Thrugh this course, students are encouraged to develop positive, constructive, proactive and futuristic mind-set while tackling with the social, political and technical aspects of planning.

 

CRP 238 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems in Planning (2-2) 3

The course includes lectures where the history, characteristics and applications of GIS are discussed. In labs students practice how to use and apply the information they learned in regular lectures. ESRI’s ArcGIS software is used in lab sessions, where students learn how to analyze and display geospatial data. Among all possible applications, the lab exercises primarily focuses on city and regional planning.

 

CRP 241 Urban Transport Planning (3-0) 3

This course aims to give the fundamental knowledge about urban transport, transport policy, and transport planning, with specific emphasis on the links between transport and land-use, and similarly between transport planning and urban (land-use) planning, and covers concepts such as urban transport in its economic, social, political and environmental context; transport planning techniques, including transport modelling, demand and traffic management, road network planning, and planning of public transport systems; sustainable mobility and policy framework for sustainable transport; urban transport in developing country context; urban transport policy and projects in Ankara.

 

CRP 242 Urban Geography (3-0) 3

Discusses settlement systems and hierarchies, models of urban form, land use types and density variations in urban space, different statistical methods for the description and analysis of spatial distributes and gives a critical summary of planners value judgments towards land use planning in urban areas.

  

CRP 290 Summer Practice I: Mapping, Topography, Computer Presentation NC

Analysis and measurement of topographical elements, mapping cartographic data through the use of computer techniques are the topics covered by Summer Practice I. 

 

 

Third Year Courses

 

CRP 301 - 302 Planning Studio V-VI (4-8) 8

The aim of this studio is to equip students with the skills to conduct comprehensive and in-depth analysis at regional and urban scales and to acquire the theoretical knowledge and methods of strategic planning.

Prerequisite for CRP 301: CRP 202

Prerequisite for CRP 302: CRP 301

 

CRP 323 Housing, Reinvestment and Household Behaviour (3-0) 3

Reinvestment processes and households’ reinvestment decisions play a crucial role in the trajectory of nation’s housing stock and neighbourhoods, and in overall economy. In this context, the necessity of reinvestment processes and policies in existing housing stock and neighbourhoods, macro implications of households’ reinvestment behavior and existing policy approaches to reinvestment processes are discussed in this course.

 

CRP 333 Introduction to Urban Design (3-0) 3

This course aims at familiarizing students with the form and functions of the spatial/physical components of the built environment, introducing the nature, concepts, concerns and dimensions of urban design, and making students acquainted with the literature of urban design.

 
CRP 334 Movement and Issues in Urban Space Design (3-0) 3

There is a wide range of architectural movements and approaches in city building about which the student of physical planning must be informed, in order to enhance an inventory of spatial design to formulate solutions to emerging problems in the urban domain. In this sense, the understanding of the historical developments in world views and perspectives is a must for a better reading of the formal attributes of the cities. Therefore, this course will introduce the students to a framework which explains the relationship between the formal and notional attributes of urban space design.

  

CRP 341 Urban Economics (3-0) 3

Economic theory and purposes of urban planning; functions of urban planning in market economies. Formation and distribution of value in the physical environment; approaches in the explanation of rent relations; measurement of value in urban land and property. Behavioral patterns in property markets; investment, development, renewal and rehabilitation decisions. Planning decisions to monitor values and behavior in property markets; implications of development rights, tenure forms, rent control and `other channels of control`, are the discussed topics within the scope of this course. 

  

CRP 370 Principles of Housing (3-0) 3

Definition of housing as a specific commodity; the concepts of housing need and housing demand; forms of housing provision, characteristics of house building industry; housing finance systems; state housing policies: subsidizing housing, rent control, social rented housing; regeneration unauthorized housing are the topics covered witihn this course. 

 

CRP 371 Planning Techniques

Through this course, it is aimed to have a discussion on the development of planning idea and thought, differentiation between planning and design, planning processes, urban planning programming, planning techniques and ethics.

 

CRP 372 Planning Theory (3-0) 3

Through this course, it is aimed to have a discussion on the development of planning idea and thought, differentiation between planning and design, planning processes, urban planning programming, planning techniques and ethics.

 

CRP 382 Legal and Administrative Aspects of Planning (3-0) 3

The aim of this course is to provide a broad theoretical basis on the subject of the administrative and the organizational approach to the process of planning. A review of legal concepts in Turkish legislative, judiciary and administrative systems is conducted. Additionally, studies of the urban planning processes in relation to central and local governments, an analysis of planning and development laws, by-laws and regulations and their use are included in this course. 

 

 

Fourth Year Courses

 

CRP 401 - 402 Planning Studio VII-VIII (4-8) 8

Analytical and planning studies of a metropolitan city or region are conducted in the fourth year planning studio that concentrates on thematic or place-bound problematics of the city in focus. After analytical studies, diverse groups work on different problems (centre, housing, image and many other components) of the city under scrutiny to gain further skills in the use of planning and implementation tools, economic analyses, social problems, urban engineering or urban design.

Prerequisite for CRP 401: CRP 302

Prerequisite for CRP 402: CRP 401

 

CRP 403 Urban Conservation Planning (3-0) 3

The course aims to provide the students of city and regional planning with the basic knowledge and understanding of the urban conservation. This course is designed to cover the basic aspects of the urban conservation and conservation of cultural heritage. The major objective of the course is to provide knowledge on: the general aspects of history and theory of conservation, basic terminology and concepts in conservation, legal and administrative aspects of conservation in Turkey, understanding and evaluation of urban sites: values, problems and potentials, new interventions and implementations in historic context.

 

CRP 404 Contemporary Issues in City and Regional Planning

The main objective of this course is to introduce the fourth year students to contemporary issues and current debates in the discipline of city and regional planning with particular emphasis on Turkish planning domain. The contemporary issues and current debates regarding to urban and regional policies, spatial planning system, institutional structure, urban administration and local governments, project management, environmental issues, urban transformation, housing, transportation, infrastructure, sustainable development, cultural heritage management, disaster mitigation and urban risk management are discussed within the context of Turkish planning experiences.

 

CRP 407 Principles and Approaches of Ecology in Planning

Within this course, the principles and approaches of ecology that should be paid attention in planning practices, and also in collaborating with the members of other disciplines are tackled. Basic concepts of ecology, landscape ecology; biodiversity and conservation assessment for planning; protected area management planning; institutions and legislation related to the conservation and use of environment; conventions related to the conservation and use of environment; using biological information on site and regional scales planning; urban ecology; sustainable urban development are the topics included in the course. 

 

CRP 409 Urban Politics

The course is designed to familiarize students with the political context of urban policies and restructuring, as well as conflicts/alliances among political actors (i.e. social classes, interest groups, etc.) over urban space. A special emphasis is placed on Turkish cities and the Turkish experience of urbanization. However, international experiences are also referred to and explained throughout the classes, when necessary.

 

CRP 414 Urban  Project Management (3-0) 3

Project Cycle Management; Logical Framework Analysis; social Impact Assessment; Project Design; Negotiation and Stakeholder Analysis; Monitoring and Assessment; Financial Estimation and Evaluation, are the topics covered within the course. 

 

CRP 433 Economics of Development and the Economy of Turkey (3-0)

In this course, different theories and schools of thought in development economics are discussed. In the light of these general theories, the evolution of the economic structure and the planning experience during the Republican period are evaluated. 

 

CRP 439 Introduction to Regional Planning (3-0) 3

This course is one of the few courses in City and Regional Planning explicitly oriented to the role of theory in planning, research and practice. It is a must course for Urban and Regional Economic Development Module. It aims to introduce the a history of ideas, theories as well practice about space, territory and regions. The course provides a critical-historical analysis of the development of regional planning from its nineteenth century roots to the New-Regionalism of today. In the course, we will be concerned with three inter-related levels of analysis and discussion: The evolution of regional planning theory and practice, an intellectual and professional history of regional planning; The associated development of spatial theory and analysis, a history of ideas about space, territory, regions and the role of spatial organization as they affect regional planning; The development of regional planning thought in real world political and economic conditions.

 

CRP 440 Regional Planning Workshop (1-4) 3

To develop a regional planning strategy, this course aims to equip students with appropriate methods of data collection and analysis in a regional planning study. Each year a small group of students for the field work are introduced with applying principles and techniques of economic development planning and policy analysis to specific problems in selected regions, or sub-regions. It is possible within the scope of this course to focus on different planning issues and problems that combine and cover many of the topics.

 

CRP 450 New Spaces of Growth and Production (3-0)

Recent issues on geography of production, new spaces of growth, and changing spatial organization of the world system. General discussion on dynamics of the changes in spatial organization of production. The theoretical explanations on the emergence of new nodes of growth. Industrial districts, learning regions, border regions, urban areas as nodes of networks, technology based development areas.

 

CRP 453 Participatory Design and Planning

Citizen participation in planning, participatory design and planning methodology, community empowerment, participatory processes in urban management and urban regeneration, strategic planning and participation, participatory research with children living and working on the streets, non-governmental organizations in planning, are the topics covered within the scope of this course.

  

CRP 454 Urban Transport Systems: Planning and Design

Planning and design of transport networks, modes, systems, stations; Network and urban form considerations; Route and capacity planning for public transport systems; Planning pedestrian circulation, principles of city center pedestrianisation; New Urbanism movement and planning for pedestrian-oriented and transit-oriented neighbourhoods; Principles of traffic calming; Design considerations for planning car parks, road junctions, stations, and interchange facilities are the topics of this course. 

 

CRP 455 Aesthetics and Human Experience in Urban Design (3-0) 3

An overview of environmental psychology; Issues of environmental perception and cognition, elements and structure of mental maps, orientation and wayfinding, environmental aesthetics, diversity and environment, use of psychological information to evaluate environments, programming for design for human use, implementation tools of environmental attributes salient to human use; Self-managing in–depth group discussions on environment and human experience reflecting on case studies are the topics of this course.

 

CRP 478 Urban Residential Formation and Change in Turkish Cities

Perspectives on urban residential structure; The Chicago School and the Ecological Tradition, Neo-Classical Economic Models and the Behavioural Approach, Neo-Weberian Approaches and Urban Managerialism, Political Economy Approach , Humanist Approach, Sociological Approaches. Processes of residential differentiation; invasion-succession, segregation, filtering process, neighbourhood life cycle. Urban residential transformation; urban renewal and revitalization, urban redevelopment and regeneration. Urban residential structure and transformation in Turkey; urban growth and change in Turkey, urban housing and residential structure in Turkey, legislative background of urban residential transformation in Turkey, case studies are the topics of this course.

 

CRP 479 Implementational Aspects of Urban Planning (3-0) 3

This course aims to present current issues and debates on the planning legislation related to coastal areas, natural and built environment, privatization of public land, touristic development, which are closely attached to the implementation of plans and the practices of planners involved in the professional field.

 

CRP 486 Urban Regeneration: Strategies, Policies, Organization and Design (3-0) 3

The course introduces the origins, challenges and purposes of urban regeneration wtih a detailed discussion. It gives the basic notions of urban regeneration, such as partnership, strategy and discusses the lessons learned from the study of best practices with the basic themes and topics crucial to an understanding of the urban regeneration process. The course also includes the ways urban regeneration proceeds and how it is organized. The experiences of urban regeneration in Europe, North America and Turkey are examined. In order to identify the future role of, and prospects for urban regeneration in Turkish cities, this course gives an overview to the major lessons from the past and present experience of urban regeneration.

 

CRP 488 Institutional aspects of Urban and Regional Planning (3-0) 3

An overview of globalization and the new economy; Issues of institutional change and governance; In-depth discussions on regional and urban governance together with the analysis of case studies are the topics of this course. 

 

CRP 490 Summer Practice II: Municipal, Public or Private Planning Office NC

Students work in private planning offices or public bodies, especially in municipalities, in order to familiarize themselves with the current planning practice.

 

CRP 495 Urban Political Analysis (3-0)

This course is structured around the urban life. It embraces power and politics from the very emergence of the human settlements. Introduction to the basic concepts and theories of political power, state, local state and their analysis in urban context are within the scope of this course. 

 

CRP 499 Seminar in Selected Urban Political Issues (3-0) 3

This seminar course is structured around the contemporary topics in urban political context. The aim of the course is to nconcentrate student’s previous knowledge on different urban issues, to re-examine and evaluate the current urban problems of our cities by using the frameworks developed by urban political theories and to test the relevance and the validity of different paradigms in this context. Students are supposed to define and problematize the urban issues from policy and politics point of view.