Land Use Planning . . .
is a
cyclical process of
determining a community’s
needs and then
setting utilization and
development goals to
meet those needs in
an efficient, effective
and sustainable manner.
Although a highly
technical discipline,
land use planning also
relies on ethics and an understanding of
social dynamics as
equitable development
options are sought to
benefit the common
good through democratic
processes.
Department of Plant and Earth Science
324 Agriculture Science Hall
(715) 425-3345
Undergraduate Catalog
Goals
- to provide an interdisciplinary undergraduate program in land use planning,
- to prepare students for entry level professional planning positions or graduate studies in
planning,
- to provide theoretical and experiential training in rural, suburban and regional design
principles,
- to provide training in applied technical skills such as geographic information systems,
quantitative methods and remote sensing.
This program utilizes a methods approach to planning techniques including activities such as
visioning, problem-solving, consensus-building, conflict resolution and evaluation, and is
focused on planning, zoning and land management administration of communities and rural
areas.
Program and/or Curriculum
At least 32 credits in land use planning are required in
the major. In addition, students must complete 41-43 credits of general education requirements,
15 credits of support courses, and 19-23 credits of directed electives. The support courses are in
the areas of cartography, geographic information systems, public speaking, and business/technical
writing. The remaining curriculum consists of electives that allow a student to select additional
courses that best prepare them for their chosen professional emphasis.
Faculty
The environmental science and management unit within the plant and earth science
department is home to the land use planning major. There are four full-time faculty that form
the instructional and student advising core for the major. Because land use planning is such a
diverse discipline, numerous other faculty provide support courses for the major.
Career Opportunities
The process of translating development plans and policies into
programs and projects requires a wide array of technical skills and a well-rounded knowledge
base. In a rural and community setting, land use planners typically:
- develop site, master and comprehensive plans for public and private development.
- draft policy and regulations on land use zones and subdivisions.
- critique and rule on new development proposals.
- draft and maintain the accuracy of land use maps.
In industry, land use planners are often involved in:
- facility siting, finance and development
- environmental regulations compliance
- solid and hazardous waste handling
- strategic planning and growth management
In all cases, planners strive to match a site’s physical capabilities with the most compatible land
use option.
