The natural environment is both the context within which all human activities take place and a social product of those activities. Environmental planning begins with analysis of the physical, biotic, socio-economic, political and cultural context in which environmental interactions and conflicts occur. An array of analytic tools ranging from cultural to socio-economic and ecological approaches is then applied to specific questions. Some of these are locality specific, but many involve larger scale regional, national and global processes and social movements. Students complete five courses for this AOC: two core courses; an applied studio; and two electives. These and other departmental provide a conceptual understanding the nature, magnitude and causes of environmental problems and practices; an understanding of the various environmental policy and planning approaches; and a set of professional skills necessary for effective practice. Students are able to complete these requirements within two years with courses offered by Urban Planning, but they are also encouraged to take courses from other departments. The two core courses and the studio will be offered annually. Elective courses will vary from year to year. EAP students are strongly encouraged to substitute an environmental law course for the urban planning law course (UP 211) and an environmentally-oriented urbanization course to fulfill the department’s urbanization requirement.

Urbanization requirement (required)

Choose any one of the four offered Urbanization courses. 

Required Courses:

265               Environmentalism and Governance
PP 290             Renewable Energy Technology Policy (one-time replacement for Assessment class)

Studio (required)

269                  Green Urban Studio: Designing and Building Living Neighborhoods 

Electives (choose at least two)

262                  Urban Environmental Problems: Water Resources
263                  Introduction to Environmental Policy
269                  Special Topics in EAP (Course examples: Climate Change and Sustainable Cities, Food Systems, Environmental Justice, Climate Change and Health)
232                  Disaster Management and Response
234C               Resource-Based Development
234B                Ecological Issues in Planning
239                  Special Topics in RID: Sustainable Urban Development in China
M254               Transportation, Land Use, and Urban Form
258                  Transportation and Environmental Issues
M267               Environmental Resource Economics and Policy (PP CM280)

Sample EAP Curriculum

Sustainability Courses Offered at UCLA