collage of images with families, a crowded sidewalk, and a farmer's market

Defining Neighborhoods

This course reviews the varying definitions of neighborhoods and examines methods for defining a physical basis and tangible meaning to neighborhoods based on the location of neighborhood centers, boundaries, and spatial extents.

Emily Talen
Taught By Emily Talen
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Course Info

  • Duration 8 video lessons (54 Mins)
  • Published Published
    2019
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Browse Course Chapters

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    1.
    Introduction
    Chapter Duration 1 min
  • Chapter Locked
    2.
    Understanding Neighborhoods
    Chapter Duration 7 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    3.
    Historical Overview
    Chapter Duration 5 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    4.
    The Designed Neighborhood
    Chapter Duration 6 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    5.
    Neighborhoods Redefined
    Chapter Duration 8 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    6.
    Neighborhood Debates
    Chapter Duration 13 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    7.
    Getting the Neighborhood Back
    Chapter Duration 3 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    8.
    Strategies for Planners
    Chapter Duration 7 mins

What You Will Learn

  • Understand the history of neighborhoods

  • Review alternative neighborhood definitions

  • Understand the debates surrounding neighborhoods

  • Review the steps required for neighborhood delineation

Course Description

Interconnection, localized identity, human scale, adjacency, access, the need for a graspable spatial unit to belong to—these are the regularities of urban experience that establish a durable foundation for the traditional concept of neighborhood. Neighborhoods are often defined by arbitrary lines on a map, lacking real meaning or power. This course reviews neighborhood-building strategies that are incremental, resident controlled, and planner enabled. This course reviews the varying definitions of neighborhoods and examines methods for defining a physical basis and tangible meaning to neighborhoods based on the location of neighborhood centers, boundaries, and spatial extents.

Learn these skills

  • Civic Engagement
  • Law and Policy
  • Urbanism
  • Walkability

AICP CM

This course is approved for 1 AICP CM credit.

AIA CES

This is 1 LU.

CNU-A

This course is approved for 1 CNU-A credit.

SACPLAN CPD

This course is approved for 1 SACPLAN CPD point. 

Meet Your Instructor

Emily Talen

Emily Talen

Emily Talen is Professor of Urbanism at the University of Chicago. Her research is devoted to urban design and urbanism, especially the relationship between the built environment and social equity.

Meet Instructor

Thousands have used Planetizen Courses

Excellent presentation. Historical background and practical strategies.
- Christina R.
5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review
Pace was excellent. Great visual aids. Kept my interest all along. Great!
- Coppsk
5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review
This was a very interesting course that is challenging my previous thinking about neighborhoods and what roles planning should play in creating them, maintaining them, and improving them.
- Ray S.
5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review 5 Star Review

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