1. The Planning Innovations Technology Lab Graduate Program in City & Regional Planning School of Urban Affairs & Public Policy

2. The Planning Innovations Technology (PIT) Lab is the product of an Advanced Learning Center – Innovation to Excellence in Learning grant The PIT lab is an element of a refreshed curriculum that incorporates technology instruction and experimentation into the core courses of the Graduate Program in City & Regional Planning.

3. Motivation We believe that our students should be positioned to advance the technological capabilities of the agencies that they go to work for, by bringing in knowledge of the latest innovations in planning technology.

4. Purpose Provide City and Regional Planning students with knowledge of the latest innovations in planning technology, with a focus on enhancing geographic analysis skills presentation/visualization skills Augment traditional lecture-based learning with experiential learning that is interactive and collaborative.

5. Curricular Component Participation in weekly PIT lab sessions is a common requirement for all first-year fall core courses. The regular weekly meetings of each of these courses are abbreviated to accommodate the PIT lab sessions.

6. Skill Sets (and software) Mapping and Geographic Analysis (ArcMap GIS) Mobile GIS (ArcPad) 3D Rendering & Site Design (SketchUp / AutoCad) Photo visualization (Adobe Creative Suite / PhotoShop)

7. Geographic Analysis (ArcMap GIS) Allows users to graphically display attribute data in layers on a map and analyze spatial relationships Examples:

14. Mobile GIS (ArcPad) Portable GIS software designed for use with handheld PCs In the field, users can tap a parcel on a base map to verify or correct existing data, or enter new attributes, including digital photos

20. 3D Rendering (SketchUp) 3D rendering software that interfaces with GIS Allows users to convert 2-dimensional GIS maps into 3-dimensional representations 3D models make abstract ideas more palpable, allowing audiences to see the spatial relationships and visual impacts of multiple alternatives Examples:

23. Photo Visualization (Photoshop) Photo-editing software can be used to create realistic visualizations that make future development scenarios more tangible Allows users to combine both “real” and the “conceptual” images to accurately demonstrate how simple changes can improve the aesthetics of a streetscape. Broad Avenue façade enhancements example:

24. http://www.dpd.duncanplan.com/FBC/Broa d_Visual.htmhttp://www.dpd.duncanplan.com/FBC/Broa d_Visual.htm.

28. Smart Board Interactive Overlay Converts plasma monitor to interactive medium Replaces large paper maps for recording community input and brainstorming Base maps with digital markups can be saved and downloaded