Urban and Regional Planning Degree Option
Can be a degree option, concentration, or a minor
The Urban and Regional Planning option promotes the application of planning in systemic and creative ways to influence and respond to a wide variety of changes occurring in the neighborhood, in a city, in an entire region, or around the world. Planners assist communities to formulate plans and policies to meet their social, economic, environmental, and cultural needs in the face of societal forces. Planners do so by identifying problems and opportunities, evaluating alternative solutions or plans, and communicating their findings in ways that allow citizens and public officials to make knowledgeable choices about the future.
Planners shape the future of communities and regions. Urban and regional planners help develop and implement programs for orderly growth and revitalization of communities at local, state, and federal levels. The professional planner is a catalyst for societal change though public, private, or nonprofit agencies. Planning is such a diverse field that you can find urban and regional planners involved in almost any government or private activity which involves a future orientation, or community change due to development. Note, too, that many kinds of planning practice overlap or are strongly interconnected.
The urban and regional planning option is a major component of the BS in urban and regional planning. The bachelor's degree program includes the following:
Students interested in the urban and regional planning option will take foundation courses and and specialized courses in planning. Some of the specialized courses include:
The urban and regional planning option will help students build a solid foundation in understanding the major issues and problems of urban and regional communities and propose sound planning methods to address development problems such as urban sprawl.
The Coastal Planning & Development Option
The coastal planning and development option is a major component of the BS in urban and regional planning. The bachelor's degree program includes the following:
Core planning courses (15 s.h.)
Skills courses (12 s.h.)
Planning option (18 s.h.)
Minor or concentration and necessary electives to complete degree requirement
Students interested in the coastal planning and development option will take foundation courses and specialized courses in planning and the environment. Some of the specialized courses include:
Coastal Area Planning and Development
Environmental Planning
Environmental Impact Assessment
Emergency Management Planning
Geographic Information System (GIS)
Field Methods in Planning
The coastal planning and development option will help students build a solid foundation in understanding the major issues and problems of coastal communities and propose sound planning methods to address development problems.
