Rural Planning and Development
Rural Planning and Development offers two graduate degrees: a Master of Science in Rural Planning and Development (MSc) and Master of Planning (MPlan). Both programs provide the opportunity for graduate study, research and professional development in rural planning and development in either Canadian or international contexts.
Administrative Staff
Director, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development
Sean Kelly (101 Landscape Architecture, Ext. 56870)
sean.kelly@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Coordinator
Wayne Caldwell (110A Landscape Architecture, Ext. 56420)
wcaldwel@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Assistant
Lorena Barker (104 Landscape Architecture, Ext. 56780)
rpd@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Faculty
This list may include Regular Graduate Faculty, Associated Graduate Faculty and/or Graduate Faculty from other universities.
Nicolas Brunet
B.Sc. McGill, M.Sc. Guelph, PhD McGill, RPP, MCIP - Assistant Professor
Graduate Faculty
Wayne J. Caldwell
BA, MA Western, PhD Waterloo - Professor
Graduate Faculty
Leith Deacon
BA Windsor, M.Sc. Guelph, PhD Western, RPP, MCIP - Associate Professor
Graduate Faculty
John Devlin
BA Dalhousie, MA Calgary, MA Carleton, PhD Guelph - Professor Emeritus
Associated Graduate Faculty
Sara Epp
BA, MA Brock, PhD Guelph - Assistant Professor
Graduate Faculty
John E. FitzGibbon
BA McMaster, M.Sc. Wales, PhD McGill, RPP, MCIP - Professor Emeritus
Associated Graduate Faculty
Ryan Gibson
BA, MRD Brandon, PhD Memorial - Associate Professor
Graduate Faculty
Dave Guyadeen
BURPI Ryerson, MPA Western, PhD Waterloo, RPP, MCIP - Assistant Professor
Graduate Faculty
Sheri Longboat
BES Waterloo, BEd Brock, MA, PhD Wilfrid Laurier - Associate Professor
Graduate Faculty
Silvia Sarapura
B.Sc. Central Peru, M.Sc., PhD Guelph - Assistant Professor
Graduate Faculty
MSc (Planning) Program
Rural Planning and Development provides the opportunity for graduate study, research and professional development in:
- Canadian rural planning and development; or
- International rural planning and development.
The program leads to an MSc (Planning) degree. It is a professionally accredited (Canadian Institute of Planners) program that requires substantial commitment to professional performance and ethics.
Graduate students in the MSc (Planning) program find employment in rural planning departments, governments, non-governmental organizations, and private consulting firms in Canada and overseas. Graduates are prepared for both local development and planning as well as regional, provincial and national-level research and policy planning in international and Canadian contexts.
The program goal is to ensure that students have the knowledge and skill to conduct interdisciplinary research and, in a professional capacity, guide processes of change in rural planning and development.
Where appropriate, faculty from other academic units participate in an advisory capacity in students' research programs.
Admission Requirements
The program is open to qualified graduates from all disciplines including geography, international development, sociology, agriculture, environmental studies, landscape architecture, economics and planning. Applicants are required to demonstrate their specific interest in the program and relevant work experience in rural planning and development. A four-year honours degree with a B- average is considered the normal basis for admission.
Program Requirements
Students enrol in one of two study options:
- thesis or
- course work or course work and major research paper.
Canadian Rural Planning and Development
This field offers an all course work option; major research paper (MRP) option and a thesis option. All three are aimed at providing substantive professional, contextual and specialized knowledge and skill in the domestic rural planning and development context.
All students enrolled in this field are required to complete a set of core courses that provide a foundation for rural planning and development research and practice in the Canadian context.
Thesis
Students must complete:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RPD*6170 | Rural Research Methods | 0.50 |
| RPD*6380 | Application of Quantitative Techniques in Rural Planning and Development | 0.50 |
| RPD*6240 | Planning and Development Theory | 0.50 |
| RPD*6260 | Land Use Planning Law | 0.50 |
| RPD*6250 | Foundations in Rural Planning Practice | 0.50 |
In addition the student is required to complete an additional five (5) 0.5 credit elective courses in consultation with their advisory committee.
Course Work and Major Research Paper (MRP)
Students must complete:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RPD*6170 | Rural Research Methods | 0.50 |
| RPD*6380 | Application of Quantitative Techniques in Rural Planning and Development | 0.50 |
| RPD*6240 | Planning and Development Theory | 0.50 |
| RPD*6260 | Land Use Planning Law | 0.50 |
| RPD*6250 | Foundations in Rural Planning Practice | 0.50 |
| RPD*6360 | Major Research Paper | 1.00 |
In addition the student is required to complete an additional seven (7) 0.5 credit elective courses in consultation with their advisory committee.
Course Work
Students must complete:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RPD*6170 | Rural Research Methods | 0.50 |
| RPD*6380 | Application of Quantitative Techniques in Rural Planning and Development | 0.50 |
| RPD*6240 | Planning and Development Theory | 0.50 |
| RPD*6260 | Land Use Planning Law | 0.50 |
| RPD*6250 | Foundations in Rural Planning Practice | 0.50 |
In addition the student is required to complete an additional nine (9) 0.5 credit elective courses in consultation with their advisory committee.
Students may develop an area of specialization with their advisory committees through course work, selection of elective courses, and student research leading to the major research paper or thesis. Students are strongly encouraged to arrange their own internship during the summer semester, though this is not a requirement. The program makes available a set of options to assist in developing the area of emphasis.
In the delivery of the Canadian rural planning and development field, the program draws on courses and faculty from other units on campus as well as on the resources of the school. The field of rural planning and development (Canadian) is formally recognized by the Canadian Institute of Planners, and four faculty within the program along with one faculty from other programs within the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development are Registered Professional Planners.
International Rural Development Planning
This field prepares students for research and practice in international rural planning and development. Students may choose the course work option; major research paper (MRP) option or the thesis option.
All students enrolled in this field are required to complete a set of core courses and electives that provide a foundation for international rural planning and development research and practice.
Thesis
Students must complete:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RPD*6170 | Rural Research Methods | 0.50 |
| RPD*6380 | Application of Quantitative Techniques in Rural Planning and Development | 0.50 |
| RPD*6240 | Planning and Development Theory | 0.50 |
| RPD*6030 | International Rural Development Planning: Principles and Practices | 0.50 |
| RPD*6291 | Rural Development Administration | 0.50 |
In addition the student is required to completed an additional five (5) 0.5 credit elective courses in consultation with their advisory committee.
Course Work and Major Research Paper (MRP)
Students must complete:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RPD*6170 | Rural Research Methods | 0.50 |
| RPD*6380 | Application of Quantitative Techniques in Rural Planning and Development | 0.50 |
| RPD*6240 | Planning and Development Theory | 0.50 |
| RPD*6030 | International Rural Development Planning: Principles and Practices | 0.50 |
| RPD*6291 | Rural Development Administration | 0.50 |
| RPD*6360 | Major Research Paper | 1.00 |
In addition the student is required to complete an additional seven (7) 0.5 credit elective courses in consultation with their advisory committee.
Course Work
Students must complete:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RPD*6170 | Rural Research Methods | 0.50 |
| RPD*6380 | Application of Quantitative Techniques in Rural Planning and Development | 0.50 |
| RPD*6240 | Planning and Development Theory | 0.50 |
| RPD*6260 | Land Use Planning Law | 0.50 |
| RPD*6250 | Foundations in Rural Planning Practice | 0.50 |
In addition the student is required to complete an additional nine (9) 0.5 credit elective courses in consultation with their advisory committee.
Students may develop an area of specialization with their advisory committees through course work, selection of elective courses, student research. The program makes available a set of options to assist in developing the area of emphasis.
In the delivery of the International rural planning and development field, the program draws on courses and faculty from other units on campus as well as on the resources of the School. The field of rural planning and development (International) is formally recognized by the Canadian Institute of Planners, and four faculty within the program along with one faculty from other programs within the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development are Registered Professional Planners.
MPLAN Program
Rural Planning and Development provides the opportunity for graduate study, applied research and professional development in:
- Canadian rural planning and development; or
- International rural planning and development.
The program leads to a Master of Planning (MPLAN) degree.
This 3-5 semester program is geared towards more experienced graduates working for an agency or non-governmental organization abroad or in Canada; or for mature Canadian planners working in a municipal planning environment, for other levels of government, in professional consulting, non-governmental organizations or other contexts or for graduates of related professional programs. It is explicitly designed for individuals wishing to upgrade their professional training to the Masters level without necessarily withdrawing from the work force for an extended period of time.
This degree may also be completed at a distance. Please consult with the program’s Graduate Program Coordinator for more details.
Admission Requirements
The program is open to either:
- Qualified graduates from relevant disciplines (minimum B- average) with 2-3 years of relevant experience or permission of the admissions committee. Relevant experience is determined by the admissions committee.
- Graduates from a related professional program, such as but not limited to, in Planning, Landscape Architecture, Architecture or Engineering (minimum B- average).
All applicants are required to demonstrate their specific interest in the program and their work and educational experience relating to rural planning and development.
Program Requirements
The MPlan program requires completion of 4.00 credits, as follows:
- EDRD*6630 Regional Planning
-
3.50 credits, chosen in consultation with the Graduate Program Coordinator. Courses will normally be selected from the Rural Planning and Development course list.
Course selection will emphasize either the International or Canadian field.
Collaborative Specializations
International Development Studies
Rural Planning and Development participates in the International Development Studies (IDS) collaborative specialization. The MSc degree for students in this program will have the specialist designation rural planning and development: international development studies. Please consult the International Development Studies listing for a detailed description of the collaborative specialization including the special additional requirements for each of the participating departments.
One Health
Rural Planning and Development participates in the collaborative specialization in One Health. Master’s and Doctoral students wishing to undertake thesis research or their major research paper/project with an emphasis on one health are eligible to apply to register concurrently in Rural Planning and Development and the collaborative specialization. Students should consult the One Health listing for more information.
Courses
This course presents the scope and nature of international development planning and alternative roles for development planners; has a rural emphasis; reviews the evolution of development planning from macroeconomic beginnings to more integrated local planning approaches; examines the development planning process and its organizational and spatial dimensions; compares policy, program, project, sectoral and integrated area planning; and compares rural development planning in market, mixed and state-driven societies.
This course offers a planned but flexible program for developing skills that are relevant to professional practice in the rural planning and development field. It also fills the skill knowledge gaps for students who cannot take full courses. Students, in consultation with their Academic Advisor, asses their knowledge and skills need and aquire them through selected 'modules'.
This course introduces students to the principles, procedures and methods in developing a project. It examines the project cycle: identification, preparation, appraisal, implementation/supervision, monitoring and evaluation. It gives an understanding of the major methods involved and teaches selected methods. The focus is on the international, rural context and on small non-farm projects: small industries, small physical infrastructure and social projects.
This course will examine the problems and potential for ecologically sustainable development in the context of rural development planning particularly in the Third World environments. The course critically examines the strategic planning approaches and methods which involve the interaction between social systems and natural ecosystems in the context of planned intervention and change in rural environments.
The course provides rural planning and development professionals with a number of theoretical frameworks and practical approaches to problem solving in rural Canadian and international contexts. The course content provides an introduction to hypothesis development, data collection, analytical frameworks, research management, and information synthesis and presentation methodologies that are appropriate to the practicing rural planner and developer. It views the roles of the researcher and research as interventionist and intervention in the rural community. Research methods are discussed as an integral and supporting part of the planning and development process.
Planning and development policy has experienced a significant evolution. This course examines the history of policy, and the theory, methods and processes of policy development and governance in planning and management of environment and resources.
Examines basic concepts, theories and perspectives in rural planning and development. A conceptual examination of 'rural', 'planning' and 'development' precedes an examination of how rural planning and development is viewed from alternative, often conflicting theories of rural change and planned intervention. The implications for practice are discussed.
This course provides an introduction to rural planning practice. This includes: i) Concepts in Public Administration - The structure, responsibility and functions of public sector administration and government. ii) The workings of local government. iii) Rural Planning Practice - An introduction to planning and development in rural regions and small municipalities.
An introduction to the legal tools used to regulate the use of land and other resources. Zoning, subdivision controls, development control, land banking, expropriation, planning appeals, official maps, etc. An intensive study of the Ontario Planning Act and related legislation.
This course explores current issues, techniques, legislation and processes that are relevant to rural planning practice. A number of specific municipal (local and regional) rural planning examples will be presented. Comparisons between different jurisdictions will be reviewed. Students will be engaged in project-based learning.
Selected study topics focus on the nature of rural planning and development issues and/or practices in Canadian and/or International small communities and rural environments. Among the topics which may be addressed are: rural land use planning, ecological restoration, gender analysis in development planning, GIS in agricultural development, micro-credit, physical/site planning and design, project management.
This course explores the administration of rural development by considering the main organizational types delivering rural programs. The structure and behaviour of these organizations, their interactions, and their respective sectors will be considered. Students will also be introduced to administrative planning tools.
This course deals with the role of environmental impact assessments and statements in the planning, development and operation of resource projects. Topics discussed include the philosophical and institutional basis for environmental impact assessments, methods used and the effects of such assessments on resource development projects.
The course provides an assessment of the processes and principles which underlie comprehensive water resource planning and integrated basin management. It also undertakes to evaluate current practice in the context of integrated planning. There is extensive use of Canadian and international practice.
Students not pursuing the thesis route must satisfactorily complete a Major Research Paper. The paper will be supervised by a faculty committee. Content of the paper will generally focus on the placement of a problem in rural planning and development practice using appropriate methodological and analytical procedures. Note: This is a one semester course and must be completed in the semester of registration.
Theories and perspectives of local economic development, particularly community-based planning for rural economic development. Economic development within a community development framework, and challenges of sustainable development. Interdisciplinary perspectives and alternative approaches to professional planning practice, strategic planning, management and organizational design/development issues. Alternative economic concepts and perspectives are critically examined. Includes international case studies.
Analysis and application of standard quantitative, statistical and computer-based techniques utilized in rural planning and development. Problems of data collection, analysis and interpretation.
This course will provide students who have an interest in social development with an avenue for linking that interest to the policy, planning and intervention process.
A program of supervised independent study related to the student's area of concentration. Nature and content of the readings course are agreed upon between the student and the instructor, and are subject to the approval of the student's advisory committee and graduate committee.
This course is intended to instruct the student in the principles of planning for recreation and tourism development. Emphasis is placed on the economic and social benefits and costs that accrue from tourism and recreation development. Planning principles are applied to this context.
Elective Courses
Students are to select their electives from the following list of RPD and EDRD knowledge and skills courses. This list of electives is modified from time to time by the RPD Graduate Program Committee, and the student should contact the Graduate Program Committee for the current list of available electives. An RPD core course from outside your field can also be taken as an elective. Two electives may be selected from other courses offered within SEDRD (e.g. CDE or LARC) or by other University departments which are not included below.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RPD*6070 | Project Development: Principles, Procedures, and Selected Methods Methods | 0.50 |
| RPD*6080 | Environment and Development: Biophysical Resources and Sustainable Development in Rural Environments | 0.50 |
| RPD*6220 | Planning and Development Policy Analysis | 0.50 |
| RPD*6280 | Advanced Planning Practice | 0.50 |
| RPD*6290 | Special Topics in Rural Planning and Development | 0.50 |
| RPD*6310 | Environmental Impact Assessment | 0.50 |
| RPD*6320 | Water Resource Management | 0.50 |
| RPD*6370 | Economic Development Planning and Management for Rural Communities | 0.50 |
| RPD*6390 | Rural Social Planning | 0.50 |
| RPD*6410 | Readings in Rural Planning Development | 0.50 |
| RPD*6450 | Recreation and Tourism Planning and Development | 0.50 |
| EDRD*6000 | Qualitative Analysis in Rural Development | 0.50 |
| EDRD*6050 | Farming Systems Analysis and Development | 0.50 |
| EDRD*6100 | Disaster Planning and Management | 0.50 |
| EDRD*6630 | Regional Planning | 0.50 |
| EDRD*6690 | Program Evaluation | 0.50 |