Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2025 - URB 660 G100

Transportation and Urban Development (4)

Class Number: 4755

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Mon, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores the relationships between mobility, economic activity, and social interaction that influence urban development. Topics considered will include the spatial dynamics underlying travel behavior, the vehicle and infrastructure technology used in meeting mobility needs, the organizations that deliver transportation services and the public policies that govern an urban transportation system.

COURSE DETAILS:

The movement of goods and people within and between cities is a fundamental factor in defining and shaping an urban area.  This course will explore the development transportation systems both within and between cities. The mobility characteristics, and economic and environmental impacts of various modes will be considered. Behavioural aspects of transport demand and the role of planning and policy in influencing transport (mis)behaviour will be examined.

The course will build skills in identifying the risks associated with mobility that threaten human societies with climate change, inequality, and public health challenges.  Strategies for how to mitigate and manage these disruptions will be considered.  The course will offer a mix of lectures, seminar discussions, and student presentations. 

Course Learning Platform

Course delivery will be synchronous and in person, with learning resources made available through Canvas in ways that will be detailed in the syllabus and discussed at the first seminar.

 

Grading

  • Completion of weekly analytical template on readings 25%
  • Research question for paper 10%
  • Research paper draft 25%
  • Presentation on research paper 10%
  • Research paper final version 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Both texts are available as e-books through the SFU Library.

Jeffrey Tumlin, 2012.  Sustainable Transport Planning: Tools for Creating Vibrant, Healthy, and Resilient Communities. (Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons)

Preston L. Schiller and Jeffrey R. Kenworthy, 2018. An Introduction to Sustainable Transportation: Policy, Planning and Implementation. Second Edition (Abingdon, Oxford: Routledge)

Some additional electronic readings on transportation, environmental, and policy will be assigned.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.