Strategies for Social Inclusion in Development

Strategies for Social Inclusion in Urban and Regional DevelopmentThis seminar offers students an opportunity to pursue advanced work in urban planning that addresses the challenge of social inclusion in local development at the city and community level. The course will focus on the use of strategic planning tools to analyze the dynamics of urban transformation, assess the impacts of change, forecast development scenarios, shape strategies and action plans and, structure frameworks for program implementation. To sharpen their skills, students will analyze in depth a specific site for the duration of the seminar, arrive at a diagnosis of the problem(s) and devise a detailed strategy to promote social inclusion objectives for the area. It is expected that the spatial aspects of each strategy will be documented in some detail. Students are encouraged to work in teams. They will prepare and discuss the sequence of technical tasks involved in the formulation of strategies and action plans. Lectures by the instructors and interim presentations by the student teams will frame the class discussion of methods and tools of strategic approaches to urban development and social inclusion and their application to concrete situations.Documentation will be provided for three international sites:1.A group of 7 communes encompassing an older industrial area and surrounding working class neighborhoods adjacent to the Paris city limits, France.2.The Northeast sector of the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil where industrial development and rapid urbanization are expanding on ecologically sensitive areas and leading to displacement and unplanned settlement.3.The historical center of Mexico City where public and private organizations are working in parallel in their attempt to rehabilitate the area.Each site presents a range of economic, social and environmental challenges that require strong technical inputs to arrive at effective development strategies.In addition, the instructors will work with students interested in documenting an American site.Pedagogic ObjectivesTo provide students with an opportunity to expand their knowledge of the methods of strategic planning and of the social dimension of local development.To strengthen their ability to apply planning tools to complex urban problems.To address issues of social inclusion in urban regeneration and development.RequirementsAttendance at the one weekly sessionInterim short presentations and class discussionA final presentation to be made to a panel of guest reviewersA technical brief summarizing the proposed strategy and action plan including the institutional and financing frameworks. Basis of Final GradeClass participation30%Interim presentations20%Technical Brief20%Final Presentation30%