Quantitative Methods in Urban Design and Planning

URBAN 520, Department of Urban Design and Planning, University of Washington, Autumn 2026
Tuesday & Thursday, 1:30 - 4:20 pm, Gould Hall 110
Instructor: Haoyu Yue, [email protected], Schedule Office Hours
Teaching Assistant: XXX, email, Schedule Office Hours

Planning has always been built on the facts we observed, the future we anticipated, the good scenarios we wished for, and the correct interventions we relied on. But are the facts really facts? Will that future actually arrive? Is a number a good way to define the good? And are the correct interventions actually correct?

Quantitative Methods is a core course for Master of Urban Planning students at the University of Washington. It intends to serve as a foundation for taking on these questions with data, and a stepping stone toward advanced quantitative methods in the broader social sciences. We will work together this quarter, 6 hours per week, starting from where every number begins and spending the quarter making numbers, doubting them, connecting them, and deciding with them. You may not leave with an answer, but you will certainly carry away questions worth asking.

Schedules

Go to the recent section. This schedule is subject to change, and please check back regularly for updates. All readings and materials can be directly accessed via the links below, although some may require a UW NetID login. Some readings and links about R/coding are on each lab session page. Please give us any anonymous suggestions about the lectures, labs, or anything using the anonymous suggestions box.

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Built on Just the Class developed by Kevin Lin at Allen School