COURSE SYLLABUS

Title: PLAN6088: INTRODUCTION to INTERNATIONAL PLANNING

Semester: Fall 2026

Instructor: Ebru Gencer

Email: eag44@columbia.edu  

Day and Time: Mondays (1-3pm) 

                                                 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course discusses the ways in which global development policies and trends converge with national and local contexts to influence planning practices. Through readings, discussions, and case studies, students will critically examine international development frameworks, national planning documents, and local urban contexts and discuss the role of the planner in making decisions in these complex settings.

During the first half of the semester (Section A), the course will examine the ways in which global development trends have been influencing international planning models and practices. This exploration will start from industrialization and the birth of modern planning in Western Europe at the turn of the 19^th century and the translation of these planning practices in the colonies. In Week 3, the course will discuss the birth of multi-lateral organizations, development aid and their impact on planning and housing in non-western contexts in the mid-20^th century. In the section on globalization, the course will focus on the changing architectural and urban forms that exemplified the new global economy, the shifting role of the state and of the planner and growing inequity in and between cities and regions. In the section on the 2030 Agenda, the course will discuss the impacts of the UN Development Frameworks on international planning and development since the start of the 21^st century. The first half of the seminar will end with a guest lecture on historic preservation planning in the context of global development. 

In the second half of the semester (Section B), the course will focus on comparative analysis of cross- cutting issues of governance and megaprojects, adequate housing and informal settlements, basic services and infrastructure, and planning in the context of risk and crisis. The impact of the ongoing shift in the development paradigm and the changing role of the state and technological development will be discussed throughout the semester and will be included as a section in the case studies.

Weekly case studies will represent a variety of global practices ranging from those in developed or in developing nations; or large- to medium- and small-sized city settings. When available, a practitioner from an international institution may also join to discuss challenges they encounter in practice and the enabling conditions that allow for the success of planning.

 

Learning Objectives:

Key learning objective for students is to understand the ways in which global trends, international development frameworks, national policies, and urban contexts simultaneously influence international planning practices. They will critically read and analyze international development frameworks and national planning strategies and examine local urban contexts in different geographical regions. The second objective for students is to learn and reflect on different roles for planners in the complicated milieu of planning practice in the international context. The third objective for students is to develop their research, writing, and communication skills.

 

Methodology:

The course will follow a seminar structure, including a short presentation by the instructor followed by class discussions on the week’s topic. Students will have weekly readings and be expected to write papers, make presentations, and engage in discussions. Students will also have a chance to work in groups for weekly case study discussions.  

 

COURSE EVALUATION and REQUIREMENTS

Course expectations and evaluation are based on:

• Class Attendance and Participation including in-class group discussions: 20%

Students will have regular and engaged class attendance, be prepared with weekly reading materials and participate in class discussions on weekly case studies.

• Discussion Papers and Presentation: 20%

Over the course of the semester, each student will write one discussion paper based on weekly readings and a new multimedia (film, literature, photography) that is relevant to the weekly topic. They will submit this essay prior to the class.  In class, they will make a short presentation (10 minutes).

• Summative Assignment: Case Study Report and Presentations: 60% (Mid-Term 30% + Final 30%)

Each student will develop a city case study that includes a) the topics covered in Section B, and b) a deep dive on one of the cross-comparative topics of governance and megaprojects, infrastructure, housing, and resilience planning and c) a reflection on how current shifts in the development paradigm, technological developments, and geopolitics may impact planning and development in their case study city by 2030. Students will make a mid-term presentation of their case studies based on section A, and a final ppt based on Sections B and C.

 

Assignment	Due Date
Individual Case Study Proposal	September 21
Mid-Term Presentations	October 26
Mid-Term Reports	November 2
Final Presentations	December 7 and 14
Final Reports	December 16

 

CLASS POLICIES:

Assignments and Class Readings: Background Reading Material and further details of the assignments will be uploaded on CANVAS.

Instructor Presentations and Recording: Lectures will not be recorded or digitally shared. The instructor will share a print copy of the lectures at the start of the class for note-taking purposes.  

Attendance: Students are expected to pay attention to class and actively engage in discussions. A digital-free class environment is recommended during lectures and discussions. 

Submissions: Students are expected to submit their assignments on time through CANVAS. Any late submission should be discussed in advance with the instructor and may lead to grade deductions.

AI Use and Plagiarism: Certain assignments or specific tasks (i.e. research and editing) in this course will permit the use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI tools). The default is that AI use is disallowed unless the instructor states otherwise. When approved, any such use must be appropriately acknowledged and cited. In addition, note that the information produced by AI generative tools may be unreliable, inaccurate, biased, outdated, or copyrighted. If you find yourself uncertain about the appropriate wats and circumstances to employ it, please feel free to seek guidance from your instructor. Please be aware that each student is responsible for assessing the validity and applicability of any submitted AI output, and violations of this policy will be considered academic misconduct.

Furthermore, students are expected to use academic honesty, properly quote and disclose all sources of information in their work.

Office Hours: The instructor will hold a scheduled office hour with all students after the midterms. Additional office hours can be requested by email.

 

COURSE SCHEDULE

WEEK 1 (September 14): Course Overview and Organization

Assignment: No reading and research/response paper this week.

Section A:

WEEK 2 (September 21): The Birth of Modern Planning and Its Translation to the Colonies

WEEK 3 (September 28): Multilateral Organizations, Aid, and Development Planning in Mid-20^th Century

WEEK 4 (October 5): Globalization and Postmodernist Architecture and Urbanism  

WEEK 5 (October 12): The Impacts of the 2030 Agenda on International Planning and Development  

WEEK 6 (October 19): Historic Preservation Planning in the Context of Global Development (Asia Focus)

Guest Lecturer: Rohit Jigyasu, Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Archeology and Fine Arts

WEEK 7 (October 26): Student Mid-Term Presentations based on Section A

Assignment for All: Mid-term reports due

November 2: Election Day Holiday – No class

 

Section B:

WEEK 8 (November 9): Urban Governance and Mega-Projects

WEEK 9 (November 16): Adequate Housing and Informal Settlements

WEEK 10 (November 23): Basic Services and Infrastructure (Africa Focus)

Guest Lecturer: Ross Eisenberg, the World Bank

WEEK 11 (November 30): Planning in the Context of Risk and Crisis

WEEK 12 (December 7): Final Student Presentations based on Sections B and C

Guest Critique: Cassidy Johnson, University College London

WEEK 13 (December 14): Final Student Presentations based on Sections B and C

Guest Critique: Carmen Mendoza Arroyo, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya 

(December 16) - Final Reports Due.