Introduction to Planning Practice/Planning Analysis:
Final Project
Overview & Purpose
The Introduction to Planning Practice and Planning Analysis courses are intended to be complementary. The sequence of class topics and class assignments reflect this. To further integrate the material presented in both classes, we have combined the final project for the classes. Moreover, we have structured the final project in a manner that integrates many of the assignments in both courses.
You will work both individually and in a team setting in completing the final project. The purpose of the project is for you to apply concepts covered in class and refine you writing and presentation skills
Process
You can consider David Povey, Bob Parker, Will Kay, and Megan Roberts as your client group. We will assign a project advisor to each team that you can meet with to ask questions and get direction from throughout the project. David Povey will make team announcements in class on October 13.
You should schedule a meeting with your team sometime during the week of October 12 to discuss the project. During the first week your team should put together a work plan (that includes tasks, schedule, and data to be used) and draft final report outline that will guide your team activities over the remainder of the term.
After you complete your work plan, you should schedule a meeting with your project advisor to discuss work plan and research needs, and to ask questions. Your team will also have the opportunity to schedule 1-2 progress meetings with project advisor during course of term to discuss project progress.
We have also arranged for Charlene Phipps to facilitate a team-building process on October 20. The purpose of this process is for your team to develop a set of operating principles, or team agreements. These agreements should ensure that all team members share the same expectations and meet their obligations to the team in completing the project.
You should begin research and report writing as soon as possible. It will make the overall project easier to complete, and, more importantly, will lead to a better product. Your team will complete the final report and give a presentation on your findings to the client group during first week of December. Reports are due on the date of your presentation.
Final Project Overview:
Willamette Valley Regional Development PlanBackground
For a number of years, the Willamette Valley was one of the state's most productive farming and logging centers. A majority of the labor force was supported, directly or indirectly, by economic activities associated with natural resource harvesting. In the past 15 years the economic base has shifted from natural resource extraction to a base more dependent on manufacturing, business and retail services, and associated governmental support activities.
In 1998 the Willamette Valley is the most populated region of Oregon. More than one-fouth of all the incorporated communities of the state are located in this region. Some communities in the valley are growing rapidly are others are declining and stagnating. Many of the communities are older and have infrastructure that is in need of repair.
The Regional Development Plan will be completed in four phases. Overall it will be a detailed and comprehensive report that will examine current planning issues and opportunities and address the implementation of an economic renewal program for the communities in your county, and for the county from a regional perspective.
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a regional economic renewal plan for your county and the communities within it. Specifically, you will:
- Develop a demographic and economic profile of each community and the county;
- Review population and economic data and develop population and employment forecasts for your county;
- Review media reports of key issues in your community and the county;
- Conduct interviews with local officials to identify issues and opportunities in your community and county;
- Analyze data from the 1996 Oregon population survey to verify and further define issues in your county;
- Apply appropriate community economic analysis tools (i.e., location quotients, Reilly’s gravity model, pull factors, etc) to better characterize local and county economic conditions, threats, and opportunities;
- Develop an action plan to address key issues in your community;
- Combine the results of your individual and team research in a Regional Economic Renewal Plan; and
- Present the research to the client group and your peers.
To make the project more manageable, we have divided it into four phases. The first phase of the study will be to become familiar with your individual community. The second phase of the project will involve more extensive data collection about your community. The third phase of the project is an analysis of the data collected to create recommendations to improve the quality of life and economic conditions in the community. The final phase incorporates the above phases from your community with other communities in your region to develop a regional economic renewal plan.
You should refer to the individual assignments for additional detail on the components of the projects.
Phase 1: Community Background and Image
Objective: Brief investigation of your community using simple qualitative and quantitative data available through the Internet, U of O libraries, and community observations and contacts.
Related Assignments: Intro, Assignment 2; Analysis, Assignment 3
Products: Class Due Date Powerpoint presentation on disc Intro October 20, 1998 3 minute presentation Intro October 22, 1998 Population projections Analysis October 22, 1998 Phase 2: Community Profile
Objective: More in-depth investigation of your community exploring the historic trends and events of the community, state and local media coverage, and interviews with local leaders about the future of the community. Team members will work on completing a work plan and timeline of the final project. Teams will schedule a conference to discuss the project work plan and ask questions about the project.
Related Assignments: Intro, Assignment 3
Products: Class Due Date Memorandum to County Planning Director: Community Profile Intro November 3, 1998 20 slide PowerPoint presentation Intro November 3, 1998 Conference with Steering Committee Both—meet with project advisor Week of November 2 Phase 3 Community Action Plan
Objective: Analysis of the data collected in the first two phases to develop planning recommendations regarding the economy and quality of life for your community for the next 3-5 years. Specific data analysis techniques emphasized in this phase are survey analysis using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and community economic analysis.
Related Assignments: Intro, Assignment 4; Analysis, Assignment 4; Analysis, Assignment 5
Products: Class Due Date Regional survey analysis Analysis November 10, 1998 Community Action Plan Intro November 17, 1998 Community Economic Analysis Analysis November 19, 1998 Phase 4 Regional Development Plan
Objective: This plan will be a synthesis of data you and your team have collected and analyzed throughout the quarter about the communities in your region. This plan should include data analysis techniques you have learned throughout the quarter such as population projections, SPSS survey analysis, and community economic analysis. You will supplement this data to create a 30-40 page report that develops a Regional Development Plan with appropriate supporting data and analysis.
Products: Class Due Date Team Regional Development Plan Both December 1 or 3, 1998 Team Presentation Both December 1 or 3, 1998
