Introduction to Community Development and Urban Planning

Local neighborhoods face complex challenges, and traditional development strategies often fall short of their promises. This text-based course guides you through the foundational theories and practical realities of urban planning, housing policy, and economic development. You will learn to look beyond the surface of revitalization projects to understand what truly drives community growth and equity. What you'll learn: - Understand the core terminology and historical models of urban planning. - Analyze how housing policies affect neighborhood stability and gentrification. - Evaluate local economic development strategies and their measurable outcomes. - Explore modern frameworks like community wealth building and participatory planning. - Identify systemic barriers that traditional development models often overlook. Starting with essential definitions and historical contexts, the course progresses to analyze real-world policy structures and modern, community-led alternatives. This course is designed for beginners, community advocates, and aspiring urban planners with no prior background in public policy. Read along to build a solid, critical foundation in community-driven urban planning.