School of Architecture and Planning

Course Description and Objectives

The Springfield Studio is a practicum course that focuses on the economic, programmatic and social renewal of an urban neighborhood in Springfield, Massachusetts by combining classroom work with an applied class project. The course content covers the areas of neighborhood housing planning and the related analysis and planning tools used to understand and assess conditions for community controlled process for developing housing and services that met the needs of local residents. Urban design issues are investigated in the context of social and economic challenges within the community. Thus, the course has several goals:

1. Introduce students to different theories of community based planning.

2. Apply multiple data sources and analytical techniques to assess local housing development needs and opportunities

3. Develop familiarity with the policies and programs that governments and non-profit organizations can use to further local community based planning and housing development.

4. Assess community goals, capacity and programmatic needs.

The ultimate goal is to explore the integration of social, programmatic and economic physical development interventions in ways that reinforce community revitalization efforts, and to apply this knowledge through the development of a formal neighborhood housing development plan that addresses community needs.