Making the decision to volunteer and help your community is the first step. Once you’re appointed, assuming all the responsibilities that come with your newfound public or private sector position can seem daunting.
“It’s not unusual for local leaders to suddenly find themselves in positions where they could use a bit of basic training so they can understand and participate in better planning and decision-making,” says Kyle Ezell, EdD, FAICP CUD, Professor of City & Regional Planning at Ohio State’s Knowlton School of Architecture & College of Engineering.
The Ohio State University College of Engineering’s Municipal Planning & Zoning course benefits newly-elected and appointed decision-makers who serve on public and private sector boards and commissions, such as city councils, planning commissions, boards of zoning appeals, neighborhood or area commissions, and many others.
“The course is also useful for public sector land developers, real estate professionals, and community activists who seek a more comprehensive perspective on planning from a municipal governance lens, and how they fit in the process,” Ezell says.
In Municipal Planning & Zoning, students are guided through a range of planning topics over six modules, including planning and governance fundamentals; communicating with the public; planning and zoning framework; community development, revitalization and design; economic development and transportation fundamentals; and planning for the future.
Following each module, exercises and assignments encourage exploring and understanding and show how the course material fits into their specific local planning situations and circumstances.
“We love how learners frequently uncover opportunities and ideas they can put into practice,” says Ezell.
While the Municipal Planning & Zoning course serves learners from across North America, Ezell has been seeing more and more Columbus area leaders, who care about and serve Columbus-region communities, registering for the short course. For a small investment of time and money, local governments can invest in their futures by offering their decision-makers practical onboarding with content students can directly and immediately implement in their respective positions.
Municipal Planning & Zoning is 100% online, offered three times per year, and co-taught by Ezell and Professor Kim Burton.
Green Building Methods, also taught by Burton, is another online course offered by the College of Engineering and the Knowlton School of Architecture that can be applied to planning practices. In this course, students learn about green building methods, techniques and practices.
Green Building Methods focuses on concepts associated with Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design® (LEED®), which is a green building certification program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council®.
Whatever your career goals may be or if you’re looking to advance your skills, the Professional and Distance Education Programs office in the College of Engineering is here to assist with flexible, online programs.
Learn more at go.osu.edu/mpzf.
This series is brought to you with paid support by The Ohio State University, Professional and Distance Education Programs, College of Engineering.
About Professional & Distance Education Programs (PDEP)
The Ohio State University’s Professional and Distance Education Programs in the College of Engineering provide learning opportunities for innovative leaders in engineering and architecture. Our executive education and workforce development programs include online professional master’s degrees, certification programs and short courses, offered online and in-person.