This course introduces students to the complex and contested context of city planning and related real estate development issues, particularly planning and developing housing, a major concern in contemporary planning policy debates. Topics of inquiry include the goals of city planning, the discipline’s historical, legal, and institutional context, the day-to-day work of city planners, and possible futures. The course also examines how real estate investments are financed and the criteria used by investors and lenders to move ahead with development projects. Case studies are drawn primarily from the United States, with a few relevant international examples. Limited enrollment.