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​Bachelor of Science in City Planning   

CRP UnderGraduate Program - Brochure.pdf



INTRODUCTION 

The field of City Planning attempts to investigate and provide solutions to planning problems with a view towards shaping the current and future urban environment. Thus, city planners develop such solutions by moving systematically through a time-related process requiring defining goals, analyzing information, formulating plans, setting priorities, and designing programs of actions. 

To deal with the complex problems of urban environment, city planners require considerable skills, knowledge and insight, plus the ability to understand the social, economic, physical, and political interrelationships, which characterize urban goals and problems. Beyond the nature of such plans, city planners must also be prepared to make day-to-day decisions that affect the well being of urban inhabitants. The ability to surmount the increasing challenges of planning can be greatly assisted by considering Geographic Information System (GIS) and related information technology, early in planning education. 

Undergraduate city planning education leads to diverse careers through professional employment or graduate studies in the same field or related professions. In the public sector, city planners are found in municipalities and numerous government agencies. Increasingly, city planners are moving into various private sector jobs, such as consultant firms, utility companies, development companies, financial institutions, national and regional commercial corporations, research organizations, and special interest groups. Being able to work in these different areas is thus assisted by the knowledge that GIS is an intermediary platform that mediates various disciplines and professions.

THE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES 

The ultimate goal of this program is to provide students with a coherent understanding of contemporary planning, such as combining a good theoretical background with the dynamics of professional practices and the society at large. In addition to special technical skills, the program helps each student to acquire an interdisciplinary education that leads to an understanding of the physical and social environment, their problems, and their potentialities for enriching human life. The main objectives of the program are therefore: 

– Offer a program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in City Planning. 
– Equip the prospective students with the professional capability to sustain and enhance the quality of life in cities and regions. 
– Meet the growing demands in the local market for qualified graduates with GIS background.

THE PROGRAM 

The Department of City and Regional Planning at KFUPM offers a program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in “City Planning”. This degree is granted after the completion of 126 credit hours. The department is offering this program with two options: 
OPTION I: B.S. in City Planning with Summer Training. 
OPTION II: B.S. in City Planning with Coop. 
The curriculum, in each option, consists of four major requirements: General Education requirements (40 credit hours for both options), Core requirements (74 credit hours for Option I; 65 credit hours for Option II), a Summer Training (for Option I only; 0 credit hours) or Coop (for Option II only; 9 credit hours), and elective courses (12 credit hours for both options). 
General Education requirement courses focus on vital basic areas such as communication skills, mathematics, and natural sciences. Core requirement courses cover planning theory and history, planning workshops, environmental planning, policies and public works, land use and transportation, sustainable development and impact assessment, analytical methods, computer applications, as well as socio-economic dynamics of urban societies.

CITY PLANNING CURR​ICULUM WITH SUM​MER TRAINING
​COURSE TITLE LT LB CR COURSE TITLE LT LB CR
First Year (Preparatory)
ENGL 001 Preparatory English I 15 5 8 ENGL 002 Preparatory English II 15 5 8
MATH 001 Preparatory Math I 3 1 4 MATH 002 Preparatory Math II 3 1 4
PYP 001 Prep. Physical Sciences. 2 0 2 PYP 002 Prep Computer Sciences 0 2 1
PYP 002 University Study Skills 0 2 1 ME 003 Prep. Eng. Technology 0 2 1
pe 001 Prep Physical Education I 0 2 1 pe 002 Prep Physical Education II 0 2 1
 ​ 20 10 16 ​ 18 12 16
Total credits required in Preparatory Program: 31
Second Year (Freshman)
CP 101 Introd. to City Planning 3 0 3 ARC 100 Architectural Graphics 0 10 5
ENGL 101 English Composition I 3 0 3 ENGL 102 English Composition II 3 0 3
MATH 131 Finite Mathematics 3 0 3 MATH 132 Applied Calculus 3 0 3
PHYS 133 Principles of Physics 3 3 4 IAS 101 Practical Grammar 2 0 2
ias 111 Belief and its Consequences 2 0 2 ICS 102 Introduction to Computing 2 3 3
PE 101 Physical Education I 0 2 1 PE 102 Physical Education II 0 2 1
   14 5 16   10 15 17
Third Year (Sophomore)
CP 201 Planning Theory 3 0 3 CP 204 Land Use Planning 3 0 3
CP 202 Planning Laws and Leg. 3 0 3 CP 205 Urban Economics 3 0 3
CP 203 Intro to Spatial Database Systems 3 0 3 CP 206 GIS I 2 3 3
CE 260 Surveying I 2 3 3 CP 210 Planning Workshop I 1 9 4
STAT 211 Statistics for Business I 3 0 3 engl 214 Technical Report Writing 3 0 3
IAS 212 Professional Ethics 2 0 2   
 ​ 16 3 17 ​ 13 12 16
Forth Year (Junior)
CP 301 Urban Survey Methods 3 0 3 CP 306 Quantitative Methods in Plan. 3 0 3
CP 302 Intro to Enviro Planning 2 0 2 cp 307 Transportation Planning 3 0 3
CP 303 Intro to Cartog. & Remote Sensing 2 3 3 CP 308 GIS II 2 3 3
CP 310 Planning Workshop II 1 9 4 CP 315 Planning Workshop III 1 9 4
ARC 353 Housing Policy & Design 2 0 2 ias 322 Human Rights in Islam 2 0 2
ias 201 Writing for Professional Needs 2 0 2   
   13 12 16   11 12 15
​ Summer Session CP 399 Summer Training 0 0 0
Fifth Year (Senior)
CP 401 Senior Plann. Proj. Prep. 1 0 1 CP 402 Sustainable Development 2 0 2
CP 410 Planning Workshop IV 1 9 4 CP 499 Senior Planning Project 1 9 4
CP 4xx CP Elective I 3 0 3 ARC 482 Socio-cultural Factors in Design 2 0 2
CP 4xx CP Elective II 3 0 3 xxx XXX University Elective II 3 0 3
xxx XXX University Elective I 3 0 3 ias 4xx IAS Elective 2 0 2
ias 301 Oral Comm. Skills 2 0 2   
   13 9 16   11 9 13

Total credits required in Degree Program: 126

CITY PLANNING CURRICULUM WITH COOP

​ COURSE TITLE LT LB CR COURSE TITLE LT LB CR
First Year (Preparatory)
ENGL 001 Preparatory English I 15 5 8 ENGL 002 Preparatory English II 15 5 8
MATH 001 Preparatory Math I 3 1 4 MATH 002 Preparatory Math II 3 1 4
PYP 001 Prep. Physical Sciences. 2 0 2 PYP 002 Prep Computer Sciences 0 2 1
PYP 002 University Study Skills 0 2 1 ME 003 Prep. Eng. Technology 0 2 1
pe 001 Prep Physical Education I 0 2 1 pe 002 Prep Physical Education II 0 2 1
 ​ 20 10 16 ​ 18 12 16
Total credits required in Preparatory Program: 31​​​​​
Second Year (Freshman)
CP 101 Intro. to City Planning 3 0 3 ARC 100 Architectural Graphics 0 10 5
ENGL 101 English Composition I 3 0 3 ENGL 102 English Composition II 3 0 3
MATH 131 Finite Mathematics 3 0 3 MATH 132 Applied Calculus 3 0 3
PHYS 133 Principles of Physics 3 3 4 IAS 101 Practical Grammar 2 0 2
ias 111 Belief and its Consequences 2 0 2 ICS 102 Introduction to Computing 2 3 3
PE 101 Physical Education I 0 2 1 PE 102 Physical Education II 0 2 1
 ​ 14 5 16 ​ 10 15 17
Third Year (Sophomore)
CP 201 Planning Theory 3 0 3 CP 204 Land Use Planning 3 0 3
CP 202 Planning Laws and Leg. 3 0 3 CP 205 Urban Economics 3 0 3
CP 203 Introduction to Spatial Database Systems 3 0 3 CP 206 GIS I 2 3 3
CE 260 Surveying I 2 3 3 CP 210 Planning Workshop I 1 9 4
STAT 211 Statistics for Business I 3 0 3 engl 214 Technical Report Writing 3 0 3
IAS 212 Professional Ethics 2 0 2   
 ​ 16 3 17 ​ 13 12 16
Forth Year (Junior)
CP 301 Urban Survey Methods 3 0 3 CP 306 Quantitative Math. in Plan. 3 0 3
CP 302 Intro to Environ Planning 2 0 2 CP 307 Transportation Planning 3 0 3
CP 303 Introduction to Cartog. & Remote Sensing 2 3 3 CP 308 GIS II 2 3 3
CP 310 Planning Workshop II 1 9 4 CP 315 Planning Workshop III 1 9 4
ARC 353 Housing Policy & Design 2 0 2 ias 322 Human Rights in Islam 2 0 2
ias 201 Writing for Professional Needs 2 0 2 XXX XXX University Elective I 3 0 3
   13 12 16   14 12 18
Summer Session CP 350 Cooperative Work Program 0 0 0
Fifth Year (Senior)
CP 351 Cont. Coop Work Prog.j 0 0 9 CP 402 Sustainable Development 2 0 2
    CP 4xx CP Elective I 3 0 3
    CP 4xx CP Elective II 3 0 3
    ARC 482 Soci-Cult Factors in Design 2 0 2
    XXX XXX University Elective II 3 0 3
    ias 301 Oral Communication Skills 2 0 2
    ias 4xx IAS Elective 2 0 2
 ​ 0 0 9 ​ 17 0 17
Total Credits required in Degree Program: 126
j Coop Work Program replaces Summer Training (0 credits), Planning Workshop IV (4 credits), Senior Planning Project Preparation (1 credit), and Senior Planning Project (4 credits), for a total of 9 credits.
 
Course Description
 
CP 101 Introduction to City Planning                                                                           (3-0-3)
 
Objectives of planning, forming the goals, defining the approaches and methods in the context of socio-economic activities and historical development of Cities and Regions.
 
CP 201 Planning Theory                                                                                                 (3-0-3)
 
Introducing planning theories as instruments and rational decision making activity to bring physical and social changes to achieve a set of goals through recognized models: comprehensive incremental; advocate; descriptive; predictive etc.
 
CP 202 Planning Laws and Legislation                                                                         (3-0-3)
 
An overview of planning laws and legislation and a short history of planning process.  Methods, techniques and instruments for implementing plans through decrees and administrative acts, the basis for urban and regional planning and its relation to Shariah Law as well as the structure and organization of Saudi public planning administration.  Discussion of zoning procedures, subdivision review practices and budget preparation and execution.  
 
Co-Requisite: CP 101
 
CP 203 Introduction to Spatial Database Management Systems                             (3-0-3)
Introduction to spatial DBMS, relational databases, relational algebra, SQL, entity relationship Model. Theory of database design, physical database design, examples of DBMS. 

Co-requisite: ICS 102 
 
CP 204 Land Use Planning                                                                                             (3-0-3)
 
Land use distribution of urban and regional functions. Location theory, infrastructure systems and municipal and Regional Models.
 
Prerequisite: CP 101 
 
 CP 205 Urban Economics                                                                                              (3-0-3)
 
Microeconomics principles to understand the economic nature of urban areas. Urban growth in the context of location theory. Agglomeration economies in relation to land use pattern and transportation cost. Urban economics problems within the context of the theory of public goods.
 
CP 206 GIS I                                                                                                                    (2-3-3)
 
GIS definition, history, and functional elements.  Data input and output, data management and data analysis. Introduction to most commonly used GIS packages.  Hands-on experience on selected GIS software. GIS applications in planning. GIS planning and implementation. Case studies of GIS adoption and application in Saudi Arabia and abroad are presented.
 
Co-requisite: ICS 102 

CP 210 Planning Workshop I                                                                                      (1-9-4)
 
Introduction of students to methodology of collecting and analyzing data about a local study area to examine the relative problem solving in situations of functional and normative requirements. Integration of analysis, programming, implementation, and presentation of phases of the planning process. The workshop includes graphical presentation of the project.  Each student chooses a distinct local study area as his project.
 
Pre-requisite: CP 101 & ARC 100 
 
CP 301 Urban Survey Methods                                                                                     (3-0-3)
 
Design of surveys, including the preliminary planning of surveys, selection of survey methods, sampling procedures, survey instrument (questionnaire) design, pilot surveys, administration of surveys, and data processing. Computer applications in surveys, including internet-based surveys will also be covered. 
 
Prerequisite: STAT 211
 
CP 302 Introduction to Environmental Planning                                                         (2-0-2)
 
Effects of planning on the natural environment. Planning tools and skills to protect, preserve, sustain, and restore environmental resources. Introductory aspects of environmental assessment and sustainable development.
 
CP 303 Introduction to Cartography & Remote Sensing                                            (3-0-3)
 
Cartographic concepts and principles, map design, thematic mapping, computer-aided mapping, symbolization, and map coordinate systems and projections. Basis of remote sensing; photogrammetric systems; space borne sensors and platforms; fundamentals of analyzing remotely sensed data, data integration. Methodology for surveying and analyzing geographical phenomena. Various sensor families such as LANDSAT, Spot, IKONOS and other remote sensing satellites.
 
Prerequisite: CE 260 
  
CP 306 Quantitative Methods in Planning                                                                    (3-0-3)
 
Application of different quantitative methods in city planning, including analysis of variance, correlation analysis, regression analysis, time series, Bayesian decision-making, extrapolation techniques, and forecasting methods.
 Prerequisite: STAT 211 

CP 307 Transportation Planning                                                                                   (3-0-3)
 
Urban transportation planning process, travel demand modeling, data needs, trip generation, trip distribution, modal choice, and network assignment. Local case studies will be emphasized, and specialized software packages will be utilized.
 
CP 308 GIS II                                                                                          (2-3-3)
 
Spatial data models, GIS Analysis Functions, System Configuration and Data Communications. Internet GIS, User Requirement Analysis (URA), Metadata Requirements, and Spatial data standards. Advanced GIS software will be used.  Students will carry out a comprehensive GIS-related project by utilizing knowledge acquired in this course and previous GIS-related courses. 
 
Prerequisite: CP 203 
 
CP 310 Planning Workshop II                                                                                       (1-9-4)
 
All the students participate in the project and integrate their projects in Planning Workshop I to the City scale.  In this project, students should define the functions of the city and the social and economical activities of the city and their manifestation and realization in space.
 
Prerequisite: CP 210  
 
CP 315 Planning Workshop III                                                                                      (1-9-4)
 
Several options are offered each year, such as regional planning, housing, metropolitan planning, and urban design. All students participate in the project through an inter-disciplinary approach based on the experience gained in previous courses.
 
Prerequisite: CP 310 
  
CP 350 Cooperative Work Program                                                                             (0-0-0)
 
CP 351 Continue Cooperative Work Program                                                             (0-0-9)
 
A continuous period of 28 weeks spent in industry with the purpose of acquiring practical experience in different areas of city planning.  During this period, a student is exposed to the profession of city planning by working in the field. Students are required to submit a final report and give a presentation about their experience and the knowledge gained during their cooperative work. 
 
Prerequisite: Junior Standing and ENGL 214 
 
CP 399 Summer Training                                                                                               (0-0-0)
 
The aim of summer training is to provide students with direct on-the-job experience working with professional in the field. This training, which lasts for minimum of eight weeks, provides an opportunity to expose students to the reality of professional practice.  Students are required to submit a report and make a presentation on their summer training experience and the gained knowledge.
 
Prerequisite: Junior Standing and ENGL 214 
 
CP 401 Senior Planning Project Preparation                                                                (1-0-1)
 
This course is designed to help the senior student to prepare his proposal for the final project in CP 499. In this course the student will carry out research on a selected topic in the area of city planning of his choice and approved by the course instructor. The student will write a complete proposal including statement of the problem, objectives of the project and its justification, methodology, data collection and project outline.
 
Prerequisite: CP 315
 
CP 402 Sustainable Development                                                                                   (2-0-2)
 
Development with the most efficient utilization of natural resources.  Balance between market, social, and environmental values throughout the process.
 
Prerequisite: CP 302
 
CP 410 Planning Workshop IV                                                                                      (1-9-4)
 
This course is an exercise on applied professional planning. Utilizing a local study area the course focuses on the applications of city planning theories, concepts, and methods to the solutions of actual planning problems including data collection, analysis, preparation of development plans, policies, and recommendations; computer applications will be made when appropriate. 
 
Co-requisite: CP 401 
 
CP 421 Urban Infrastructure Systems                                                                         (3-0-3)
 
Introduction to transportation systems, transportation costs, and effect on landuse planning.  Other elements of the general plan: electricity, gas, and communications services systems. Storm drainage, sewage and waste disposal. Introduction to standards and control regulations.
 
Prerequisite: Senior Standing
 
CP 422 Public Works Administration                                                                           (3-0-3)
 
An analysis of the administrative structure and administrative practices with emphasis on finance, personnel, public safety, utilities, and public infrastructure.
 
Prerequisite: Senior Standing
 
CP 423 Development Impact Assessment                                                                      (3-0-3)
 
Principles of impact assessment, development impact assessment methods; cost-benefit analysis, environmental impact assessment, and balance sheet.
 
Prerequisite: Senior Standing
 
CP 424 Evaluation and Appraisal                                                                                  (3-0-3)
 
Techniques and methods for assessment of different plans, programs, and public policies.  Cost effectiveness, goal achievement, cost benefit, and cost revenue analysis.  Pre and post implementation evaluation.
 
Prerequisite: Senior Standing
 
CP 425 Urban Modeling                                                                                                 (3-0-3)
 
Location theory, geographical and gravitational models, population projection, travel behavior and transportation systems, regional models and economic base models.
 
Prerequisite: Senior Standing
 
CP 426 Internet GIS                                                                                                       (3-0-3)
 
Introduction to Internet GIS; applications of Internet GIS in City and Regional Planning; use of software to create applications for the web that have interactive GIS functionality; advantages of using Internet GIS in public and private sectors.
 
Prerequisite: CP 203 
 
CP 427 GIS Analysis and Modeling                                                                              (3-0-3)
 
Concepts and principles of analysis and modeling of spatial data.  Students will gain knowledge of different spatial data modeling techniques used in GIS through lecture, assignments and computer exercises.  Student will be able to design, implement and solve a given spatial problem utilizing GIS.  
 
Prerequisite: CP 203 
 
CP 428 GIS in Space Syntax                                                                                          (3-0-3)
Introduction to space syntax concepts; application packages; use of Axwoman and Isovist analyst extensions in ArcView GIS; pedestrian and vehicular systems; modeling and analysis of urban areas and building interiors; integration of syntactic models with other GIS spatial models; techniques of reporting findings; other quantification techniques applicable to GIS concepts.

Prerequisite: CP 203 
 
CP 429 Geo-statistical Analysis                                                                                      (3-0-3)
 
Role of computers in geographic analysis. Data sampling and descriptive and inferential statistical techniques for analyzing geographic data. Graphic techniques, tests of hypothesis, simple regression, and the analysis of variance. Interpretation and presentation of appropriate spatial and non-spatial statistics. 
 
Prerequisite: CP 203 
 
CP 430 GIS in Transportation                                                                                       (2-3-3)
 
GIS applications in various areas within transportation (GIS-T), including transportation planning, transportation engineering, mass transit, railroads, and intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Linear referencing systems and dynamic segmentation data model will be thoroughly discussed.
 
Prerequisite: CP 203 
 
CP 431 GIS in Utilities Management                                                                         (3-0-3)
 
GIS management of utilities: electric, phone, water, and sewer networks. 
Automated Mapping/Facilities Management (AM/FM).
 
Prerequisite: CP 203 
 
CP 432 Special Topics in GIS                                                                                         (3-0-3)
 
Topics of this course are to be selected from special topics in GIS.
 
Prerequisite: CP 203 
 
CP 490 Special Topics in City Planning                                                                        (3-0-3)
 
Topics of this course are to be selected from the broad areas of City planning.
 
Prerequisite: Senior Standing
 
CP 499 Senior Planning Project                                                                                     (1-9-4)
 
The senior student will be required to work on a planning project of the topic developed during CP 401 Senior Planning Project Preparation. The objective of the course to demonstrate the student knowledge and skills acquired during his four years of city planning studies. At the end of the semester, the student is expected to submit a complete and detailed planning project of high quality utilizing planning tools, techniques and methods.                          
 
Prerequisite: CP 401

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