People shape cities. Cities are places of commerce and culture. Cities are places of crisis and crime. How have our ideals and actions shaped the cities and suburbs we know and live in today? Cities shape people. Urban development is the foundation of communities, and thus an integral part of the opportunities experienced by families and individuals. How can we better our communities through urban planning? This course will survey the history of American urban development and planning, focusing especially on cities and suburbs post-World War II, and engage students in developing tools and ideas for imagining and enacting a more sustainable and equitable urban future. It will be taught with a combination of lectures, discussions, and two walking tours of Boston neighborhoods.