Urban Planning for Social Justice and the Working Class

Modern cities often develop at the expense of their most vulnerable residents, leaving working-class communities to face displacement, poor transit, and environmental hazards. To build truly sustainable cities, planners must prioritize social equity and spatial justice from the ground up. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to urban planning through the lens of economic justice and working-class advocacy. You will start by exploring foundational planning concepts, historical zoning practices, and the core theories of spatial justice before moving into practical community-based strategies. What you'll learn: - Understand the history of urban planning and its direct impact on working-class neighborhoods - Analyze housing policies, gentrification patterns, and strategies for community-led development - Evaluate public transit systems and infrastructure through an equity and accessibility lens - Apply modern environmental justice frameworks to combat urban heat islands and pollution disparity - Practice using public demographic data and mapping concepts to identify community needs - Design advocacy and planning proposals that center the voices of local working populations Through clear written explanations, historical case studies, and practical analysis exercises, you will progress from understanding basic urban theory to evaluating real-world municipal policies. This course is designed for absolute beginners, community advocates, and aspiring planners who want to make a tangible difference in municipal development. Start your journey toward shaping fairer, more inclusive cities today.