Regional and Community Planning — Bachelor's degree
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-01-01 | - |
| 2024-05-01 | - |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Regional and Community Planning (BRCP) at the University of the Fraser Valley is an interdisciplinary program that integrates various fields to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary for professional planning careers. The program emphasizes theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and experiential learning opportunities, preparing graduates for diverse career paths in planning and related fields. The BRCP also incorporates Indigenous Ways of Knowing into its curriculum and actively seeks accreditation from the Planning Standards Board (PSB) and the Canadian Institute of Planners.
Program Outline
Regional and Community Planning — bachelor's degree at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV)
Degree Overview
The Bachelor of Regional and Community Planning (BRCP) at UFV is an interdisciplinary program that integrates environmental studies, art, natural sciences, policy and law, urban design, history, and communications. The program aims to equip graduates with the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to work as professional planners in Canada or abroad. The BRCP also prepares graduates for further studies or other professional designations.
Objectives:
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of regional and community planning.
- Gain proficiency in research, analysis, and problem-solving skills relevant to planning issues.
- Cultivate critical thinking and communication skills to effectively present and advocate for planning initiatives.
- Acquire hands-on experience through practical projects and internships.
- Foster a commitment to ethical and sustainable planning practices.
Program Description:
The BRCP curriculum emphasizes theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and experiential learning opportunities. Students gain exposure to various planning areas, including:
- Land-use planning
- Environmental planning
- Transportation planning
- Economic development
- Social planning
- Urban design
- Public engagement The program also incorporates Indigenous Ways of Knowing into its curriculum, recognizing the importance of Indigenous perspectives in planning. Graduates of the BRCP will be eligible to pursue professional designation as a Registered Professional Planner (RPP) after fulfilling the certification criteria established by the Planning Standards Board (PSB) or similar boards in other countries.
Outline
Program Structure:
- Four-year program
- Full-time format
- Intake in year 2 after meeting prerequisites
Program Content:
- Lower-level courses provide a foundation in geography, communication, and academic writing.
- Upper-level courses delve deeper into specific planning areas, including:
- Planning Law and Ethics
- Planning for Housing: Affordability, Design, and Policy
- Resiliency and Land-Use Planning
- Theories in Urban and Regional Planning
- Indigenizing Planning: Indigenous Land-Use and Community Planning
- Introduction to Regional and Community Planning and Policy
- The Canadian State and Indigenous Governance
- Geographies of Poverty and Development
- Conservation GIS
- International Planning and Development Policy: Adapting to Climate Change
- Climate of Cities
- Agriculture and Rural Life
- Geography of Food
- Environmental Assessment and Management
- A 4-credit practicum provides students with valuable work experience and industry contacts.
- Students can choose between various electives to tailor their learning experience to their interests.
Course Schedule:
The program offers courses throughout the year, with start dates in January, May, and September. Each course syllabus provides a detailed description of the module content, learning outcomes, assessments, and teaching methods.
Assessment
The program utilizes various assessment methods to evaluate student learning, including:
- Examinations: written, oral, or a combination of both
- Assignments: essays, research papers, case studies, projects
- Presentations: individual or group presentations
- Practicum report: reflecting on the work experience and learnings from the practicum
- Portfolio: showcasing the student's planning skills and knowledge The specific assessment methods and criteria vary depending on the course and instructor.
Teaching
The BRCP program features a diverse team of faculty with expertise in various planning areas. The faculty employs a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, discussions, group work, and field trips. The program also emphasizes experiential learning through guest speaker presentations, case studies, and the practicum.
Careers
Graduates of the BRCP are well-equipped to pursue diverse career paths in:
- Consulting firms
- Development firms
- International development agencies
- First Nation governments
- Local/provincial/federal governments
- Nonprofits and non-governmental organizations Potential career titles include:
- Community planner
- Development planner
- Emergency planner
- Environmental planner
- Heritage planner
- Parks planner
- Planning consultant
- Social planner
- Transportation planner
- Rural planner
- Urban designer The program also prepares graduates for further studies in planning or related fields.
Other
- The BRCP program actively seeks accreditation from the Planning Standards Board (PSB) and the Canadian Institute of Planners.
- The program integrates Indigenous Ways of Knowing into its curriculum, recognizing the importance of Indigenous perspectives in planning.
- Graduates of the BRCP have the opportunity to pursue professional designation as a Registered Professional Planner (RPP) after fulfilling the certification criteria.
- The program offers a variety of scholarships and bursaries to support students.
Note:
The program may implement changes to its admission requirements and structure in Fall 2024. For the most up-to-date information, please contact the program coordinator.
