Focuses on disseminating water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) innovations in developing countries, especially among underserved communities. Structured around field-based learning, case studies, lectures and videos. Emphasis on core WASH principles, culture-specific solutions, appropriate and sustainable technologies, behavior change, social marketing and building partnerships. Term project entails implementing the "next steps" in a WASH innovation in a specific locale and/or a new proposal/plan/project.

An introduction to the research and empirical analysis of urban planning issues using geographic information systems. Extensive hands-on exercises provide experience with various techniques in spatial analysis and querying databases. Includes a small project on an urban planning problem involving the selection of appropriate methods, the use of primary and secondary data, computer-based modeling, and spatial analysis. Requires some computing experience. Content similar to 11.520. 

This course is intended for MCP students preparing to conduct international field research. The class will introduce the basics of field research, including different types of data collection and qualitative data analysis techniques. Over the course of the semester, students will develop their ideas for their thesis project and prepare a thesis proposal. Prerequisites: Must have summer field research plans for thesis, or already engaged in a similar graduate research.

In-depth research workshop on “Health and Urbanism” initiative, developed as a collaboration between the MIT Center for Advanced Urbanism, and American Institute of Architects. Students will conduct research at the intersection of design, urban planning, and public health to develop contemporary insights about future urban form and infrastructural adaptation. Five urban environments will be chosen as laboratories for research, analysis, invention, and ultimately the development of health metrics for new design proposals.

Required subject for all entering PhD students. Dual focus is on formulating researchable questions (to help students write their first-year papers) and understanding how research knowledge comes to be influential in the world or not influential. Explores ways to make research knowledge more accessible, credible, and useful in the realm of public policy and practice. Addresses the politics of the policymaking process, the power of framing and agenda-setting, how knowledge diffuses along knowledge and influence networks, and how varied types of knowledge shape decision-making and action.

Examines the economic and political conflict between transportation and the environment. Investigates the role of government regulation, green business and transportation policy as a facilitator of economic development and environmental sustainability.

Focuses on the integration of land use and transportation planning, drawing from cases in both industrialized and developing countries. Reviews underlying theories, analytical techniques, and the empirical evidence of the land use-transportation relationship at the metropolitan, intra-metropolitan, and micro-scales. Also covers the various ways of measuring urban structure, form, and the "built environment." Develops students' skills to assess relevant policies, interventions and impacts. Prerequisites: permission of instructor

Learning and utilizing advanced geographic information system techniques in studio/lab setting with real-world client problem and complex digital spatial data infrastructure. Projects typically use the client and infrastructure setting for 11.521. Credit cannot also be received for 11.521 in the same semester. Second half of term. Prerequisites: 11.523 or permission of instructor

The fundamentals of database management systems as applied to spatial analysis. Includes extensive hands-on exercises using real-world planning data. Introduces database management concepts, SQL (Structured Query Language), and enterprise-class database software. Same content as first half of 11.521. First half of term. Prerequisites: 11.204 or permission of instructor

Extends the computing and geographic information systems (GIS) skills developed in 11.520 to include spatial data management in client/server environments and advanced GIS techniques. First half covers the content of 11.523, introducing database management concepts, SQL (Structured Query Language), and enterprise-class database management software. Second half explores advanced features and the customization features of GIS software that perform analyses for decision support that go beyond basic thematic mapping.