Planning entails regular use of qualitative and quantitative data. Planetizen Courses offer instruction on everything from working with Census data to urban informatics and crowdsourcing. Broaden your research skills and learn how to collect and analyze publicly available and original data to make informed, equitable, and effective policy decisions.

Research Methods Courses

cars in traffic
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Accounting for Cities
Michael R. Boswell, Tammy Seale
60 Mins
  • AIA CES
  • AICP CM
  • CNU-A
  • SACPLAN CPD
couple viewing land with binoculars for urban planning course
Citizen Science in Urban Planning
Kendra Smith
35 Mins
  • AICP CM
  • SACPLAN CPD
crowd walking on city sidewalk for urban planning course
Crowdsourcing and Urban Planning
Kendra Smith
26 Mins
  • AICP CM
  • SACPLAN CPD
map showing demographics using geoda software
Measuring Neighborhood Segregation and Diversity
Emily Talen
56 Mins
  • AIA CES
  • AICP CM
  • CNU-A
population map of united states from census 2010
Working with Census.gov 1: Background and Geography
Chris Williamson
77 Mins
an image of the concept of data and a city skyline at night
Introduction to Urban Informatics
Amir Hajrasouliha
35 Mins
  • AICP CM
  • SACPLAN CPD
exterior of census bureau building
Working with Census.gov 2: Topics, Programs, Products
Chris Williamson
75 Mins
materiality determination graphic
Principles of Materiality, Responsiveness, Inclusivity, and Impact
Carlos Zapata
61 Mins
  • CIP
  • AICP CM
data map from census website
Working with Census.gov 3: Interacting with the Data
Chris Williamson
65 Mins
state and county census map
Working with Census.gov 4: Quality, Interpreting and Examples
Chris Williamson
64 Mins
downward view of crowd crossing intersection
Introductory Population Analysis with Excel
William Riggs
50 Mins
  • SACPLAN CPD
aerial view of suburban neighborhood
Introductory Housing Analysis with Excel
William Riggs
55 Mins
  • SACPLAN CPD
rendering of neighborhood
The DIY Form-Based Code: Research and Development
Norman Wright
66 Mins

Top Research Methods Instructors

Chris Williamson

Chris Williamson has spent 40 years in academia, public and private sector planning, and environmental analysis.

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Kendra Smith

Kendra L. Smith, Ph.D. is the Associate Director for Community Engaged Research in the Office of...

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William Riggs

William (Billy) Riggs, Ph.D., AICP, LEED AP is a nationally recognized professor, consultant, and strategist.

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Carlos Zapata

Carlos Zapata is a Sustainability and ESG professional who is a graduate of Yale's MBA in...

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Amir Hajrasouliha

Amir Hajrasouliha is an architect, urban designer, and city planner with years of professional and academic...

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Emily Talen

Emily Talen is Professor of Urbanism at the University of Chicago. Her research is devoted to...

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Tammy Seale

Tammy Seale is a principal with Michael Baker International and director of the Sustainability and Climate...

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Michael R. Boswell

Michael R. Boswell is a Professor of City & Regional Planning at California Polytechnic State University...

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Norman Wright

Norman Wright is the Director of Neighborhood Services for Adams County, Colorado. In his career as...

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All Research Methods Courses

US Disability Access Laws for Planners Sign Up

US Disability Access Laws for Planners

Instructor: Jonathan Katz-Ouziel

Explore the key disability rights laws that shape planners' work — including the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Architectural Barriers Act, the Fair Housing Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 — to understand their core provisions.

4.33
109 Mins
AIA CES
AICP CM
Generative AI, Ethics, and the Future of Urban Planning Sign Up

Generative AI, Ethics, and the Future of Urban Planning

Instructor: Tom Sanchez

Explore the ethical and equity implications of using generative AI in urban planning. This course addresses bias, transparency, public trust, emerging tools like digital twins, and offers practical guidance for responsible adoption.

4.30
66 Mins
CIP
AIA CES
AICP CM
Equitable Transit Oriented Development Sign Up

Equitable Transit Oriented Development

Instructor: John Hersey

Equitable transit oriented development (eTOD) prioritizes inclusive community development in multi-modal regional growth.

4.38
57 Mins
CIP
AIA CES
AICP CM
SACPLAN CPD

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