IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION
View the Program Information Booklet
View Urban Planning student work in the 2024 End of Year Show.
For more information about the program, please email the Assistant Director: Kian Goldman.
AIA CES Credits
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M.S. Urban Planning
The Master of Science in Urban Planning is a two-year accredited professional degree. Our program takes a comparative, global perspective to urban planning, centering social justice and critical practice. It connects the study of the urban built environment with grounded analysis of socioeconomic and political conditions to inform planning practice and praxis toward social, racial, and climate justice. We prepare students to confront and break down structures and practices of oppression rooted in class inequality, racism, and sexism. By studying the impact of global processes (such as immigration, climate change, and public health) on cities, neighborhoods, and communities—across the Global North and Global South—the program aims to foster new, creative planning and policy approaches that will improve processes and outcomes in cities around the world.
The program pays close attention to a range of methodological approaches bringing together urban analytics, grounded field research, and community engagement to address real-world planning issues. It builds on our record as one of the first planning programs in the United States to engage data science and visualization alongside spatial analysis to tackle today’s urban problems and inform planning solutions for the future. Our graduates work in critical and leading roles in government, private firms, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, multilateral institutions, and international NGOs.
IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION
View the Program Information Booklet
View Urban Planning student work in the 2024 End of Year Show.
For more information about the program, please email the Assistant Director: Kian Goldman.
Curriculum
The Master of Science in Urban Planning program offers five distinctive clusters: Built Environment, Climate Adaptation, Community and Economic Development, International Planning and Development, and Urban Analytics. At the core of the program are a team-based studio course, which takes place in the first year, and a thesis or professional capstone, which is carried out throughout the second year. The Urban Planning Studio is a way of modeling what it means to incorporate intellectual questions into practical proposals. The studio revolves around a real client with a real-world issue. Students work as a group under the direction of faculty, producing critical and innovative analysis of socioeconomic, environmental, and political conditions as well as stakeholder engagement. In many ways, the studio introduces, considers, and evaluates a range of scenarios in approaching complex problems.
Recently, the program has significantly updated the contents of its electives and core curriculum courses to introduce more knowledge related to the global dimensions of planning, more systematic understanding of racism and spatial inequality, and more critical assessment on the use of analytical tools. For electives, in particular, the program now offers new, knowledge- and skill-based courses on data analytics, machine learning, equitable climate action, adaptation to climate change, urban mobility and accessibility in a global context, inclusion and housing, and healthy global cities. Students can also take case-based practicums, grounded in a coherent conceptual framework, to better connect with modes of practice.
Studios
In the Urban Planning studio, under faculty direction students work as a team with a client on a real-world project. The ensuing deliverables will reflect stakeholder engagement and analyses of socioeconomic, environmental, and political conditions. We encourage students to engage in critical thinking in order to challenge practices of oppression in planning and beyond. Recognizing the wide-ranging student interests, we offer a variety of projects each year, including community-focused issues that provide opportunities to build relations with clients and partners. Studio takes place in the Spring of the students’ first year and aims to integrate classroom learning with practical experience early in the students’ education.
Course | Semester | Title | Student Work | Instructor | Syllabus | Requirements & Sequence | Location & Time | Session & Points | Call No. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4587 | Spring 2025 |
URBAN TECH, INNOVATIONS & PLANNING INSTITUTIONS
|
Anthony Vanky |
114 AVERY (10 AM - 12 PM); Breakout Rooms (12 PM - 1 PM): 412 AVERY, 203 FAY, 204 FAY
W 10 AM - 1 PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
11416 | |||
6927‑1 | Spring 2025 |
UCL Exchange FT Reg
|
Danielle Smoller |
UCL London
|
15772 | ||||
A4585‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Urban Political Economy
|
Tom Slater |
114 AVERY (TU 10 AM - 1 PM); Breakout Rooms (12 PM - 1 PM) 114, 203, 204 FAY, URIS 327
TU 10 AM - 1 PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
11415 | |||
Pla4010 | Spring 2025 |
Planning For Urban Energy Systems
|
Peter Marcotullio | Syllabus |
409 AVERY
TH 9 AM - 11 AM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
13083 | ||
Pla4050 | Spring 2025 |
UP Elective Internship
|
Douglas Woodward |
FULL SEMESTER
1.5 Points
|
10939 | ||||
Pla6065 | Spring 2025 |
Environmental Impact Assessment
|
Graham Trelstad |
200 BUELL
F 9-11AM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
13331 | |||
PLA6102‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Urban Sensing And Data
|
Anthony Vanky |
200 BUELL
TH 11AM-1PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
10940 | |||
PLA6104‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Sustaining Access and Mobility in Cities
|
Jitendra Bajpai |
204 FAYERWEATHER
TU 3-5PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
10941 | |||
Pla6108‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Land Use Planning
|
Jonathan Martin |
200 BUELL
F 11AM-1PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
10942 | |||
Pla6113 | Spring 2025 |
Exploring Urban Data with Machine Learning
|
Jonathan Stiles |
202 FAYERWEATHER
TU 3 PM - 5 PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
10943 | |||
Pla6121‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Practicum: Residential Planning in Global Cities
|
Kate Dunham |
412 AVERY
M 11AM-1PM
|
A
1.5 Points
|
11404 | |||
Pla6232‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Advanced Spatial Analysis
|
Jonathan Stiles |
114 AVERY
W 5-7PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
0 | |||
PLA6613‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Built Environment Disruption: Partnerships & Urban Technology
|
Kate Wittels, David Gilford |
204 FAYERWEATHER
TU 5-7PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
10945 | |||
PLA6617 | Spring 2025 |
Climate Justice In Our Own Backyard
|
Thaddeus Pawlowski |
204 FAYERWEATHER
TH 5-7PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
13290 | |||
PLA6645‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Prototyping in Urban Tech
|
James Piacentini |
202 FAYERWEATHER
TH 3-5PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
11402 | |||
PLA6647‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Project Management: From Idea to Execution
|
412 AVERY
M 11AM-1PM
|
SES B
1.5 Points
|
11403 | ||||
Pla6700‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Re Finance + Development
|
Clarence Radin, Amelia Guise |
209 FAYERWEATHER
TU 5-7PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
10954 | |||
PLA6773‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Climate Adaptation in Cities
|
Adam Freed |
204 FAYERWEATHER
M 5-7PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
13291 | |||
Pla6827‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Gentrification and Displacement: Power, Planning + Political Action
|
Tom Slater |
115 AVERY
TH 11 AM - 1 PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 PTS Points
|
10956 | |||
Pla6911‑1 | Spring 2025 |
UP STUDIO- 1
|
Anthony Borelli, Sybil Wa |
203 FAYERWEATHER
W 3-7 PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
6 Points
|
10957 | |||
Pla6911‑2 | Spring 2025 |
UP STUDIO- 2
|
Ebru Gencer, Javier Lopez |
204 FAYERWEATHER
F 9AM-1PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
6 Points
|
10958 | |||
Pla6911‑3 | Spring 2025 |
UP STUDIO- 3
|
Ryan Devlin, Jose Luis Vallejo |
204 FAYERWEATHER
F 1-5PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
6 Points
|
10959 | |||
Pla6911‑4 | Spring 2025 |
UP STUDIO- 4
|
Michael Perles |
204 FAYERWEATHER
W 3-7PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
6 Points
|
10960 | |||
Pla6911‑5 | Spring 2025 |
UP STUDIO- 5 JOINT RED / PLANNING
|
Adam Lubinsky, Calvin Brown |
412 AVERY
W 3-7PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
6 Points
|
10961 | |||
Pla6919‑1 | Spring 2025 |
URBAN PLANNING THESIS/CAPSTONE II
|
Emily Tolbert |
BY APPT
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
10963 | |||
Pla6926‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Advanced Research II
|
Weiping Wu |
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
10964 | ||||
A4890‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Conflict Urbanism
|
Laura Kurgan |
300 BUELL SOUTH
W 9 AM - 11 AM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
11365 | |||
A6961‑17 | Spring 2025 |
Data Mourning Clinic
|
Marina Otero Verzier, Daniel Miller | Syllabus |
ALL GSAPP |
Avery 700
TH 1:30-4:30 PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
13287 | |
A6963‑15 | Spring 2025 |
Transition Spaces
|
Alonso L. Ortega, Anthony Clarke |
ALL GSAPP |
Avery 409 / Avery 700
TH 1:30-5:30 PM
|
FULL SEMESTER ( 6 seminar sessions: January 23 + 30, February 20 + 27, April 17 + 24)
3 Points
|
13286 | ||
4323‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Topographic Modernism
|
Lucia Allais |
300 BUELL NORTH
TU 11AM-1PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
11407 | |||
A4861‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Footprint: Carbon and Design
|
David Benjamin |
TECH ELECTIVE |
409 AVERY
TH 11AM-1PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
13288 | ||
A4063‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Spatial Data Narratives
|
Josh Begley |
300 BUELL SOUTH
W 7-9PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
11381 | |||
A4312 | Spring 2025 |
Storytelling through Design
|
Hilary Sample |
ALL GSAPP + SCHOOL ARTS |
300 BUELL SOUTH
TH 9 AM - 11 AM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 PTS Points
|
11412 | ||
A4407‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Methods in Spatial Research
|
Adam Vosburgh | Syllabus |
300 BUELL SOUTH
F 9 AM - 11 AM
|
SES A
1.5 PTS Points
|
11383 | ||
PLA6036‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Urban Political Ecology and the Climate Crisis
|
Hugo Sarmiento |
204 FAYERWEATHER
M 3PM-5PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
13331 | |||
6423‑1 | Spring 2025 |
ENERGY, FEMINISM AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
|
Alexandra Quantrill |
409 AVERY
TU 9-11 AM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
16523 | |||
A4325‑1 | Spring 2025 |
Multi Graphics & Representation
|
Wael Morcos |
505 Avery
F 10AM -12PM
|
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
|
11409 |
Lectures in Planning Series (LiPS)
Student Work
News
Fall 2024 Urban Planning Semester in Review
Spring 2024 Urban Planning Semester in Review
Fall 2023 Urban Planning Semester in Review
Spring 2023 Urban Planning Semester in Review
Fall 2022 Urban Planning Semester in Review
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Dual Degree Programs