The history of spatial planning practices is essential to understanding how planning actually works, how it impacted urbanization, and what is possible today. This course examines the evolution of spatial planning institutions of the Toronto region in global comparative perspective. Planning history is foundational knowledge for City Studies students. Spatial planning has, since its origins in the early 20th Century, had a major impact on patterns of urbanization, yet works differently in each jurisdiction. Understanding housing affordability, congestion, homelessness, and climate change vulnerability requires understanding how we got here.