Master Planning Principles (Course 101) FY2026

Objective

Provide an overview of military installation and regional planning, including its history, theory, ethics, and practical applications in sustainable, healthy, and resilient community development. Students can expect to gain a well-rounded understanding of the field and its various dimensions. All instruction will take place in Fairfax, VA. Courses are instructed by military and federal representatives. This course is part of the Department of Defense Master Planning Institute in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

Course Description

This course provides students with a basic understanding of the following:

• Planning History and Theory: Explore the historical evolution and theoretical foundations of urban and regional planning.
• Policies and Regulation establishing the Master Planning Practice: Primarily UFC 2-100-01.
• Sustainable and Resilient Planning: Learn about sustainable and resilient planning practices to address environmental and social challenges.
• Natural, Cultural, and Historic Resource Management: Gain insights into how to manage natural, cultural, and historic resources within the context of urban planning
• Planning Patterns: Study planning patterns and the role of visual preference surveys in shaping community planning
• Healthy Community Planning: Examine strategies for planning and designing communities that promote health and well-being.
• Defensible Planning: Understand how to create plans that are legally defensible and meet regulatory requirements.
• Area Development Planning: Explore techniques for planning and managing development within specific geographic areas.
• Standard Designs/Army Standards – differences in the two, impact on development, programming and planning.
• Form-Based Planning: Learn about form-based planning principles and their application in urban design and development.
• Application of Installation planning principles - in the development of COAs for installation expansion or change in mission the student will be able to apply the concepts of UFC 2-100-01 to develop effective plans.

Target Audience

This class has no prerequisites and is open to all government employees, the general public, and the consulting community. The class is suitable for planners in cities and towns, meeting the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification requirements for continuing education.

Payment Methods

Preferred: Pay with Credit Card via this online portal

Accepted: Wire Transfer and Check

• Please email northern@virginia.edu and provide the following details:
• Name of Participant(s)
• Company
• PO# (if applicable)
• You will be provided with an invoice that outlines how to complete the payment via wire and check.
• Email northern@virginia.edu notifying the team that you have submitted payment.
• Once the University of Virginia has received payment confirmation, you will be added to the course.