The Concentration in Urban Studies is concerned with the quality of life in towns, cities, and metropolitan or suburban areas. The professional urbanist works towards the restoration of the traditional role of cities as enriching the lives of those who visit or inhabit them. Environmental, social and economic health may be introduced by any combination of the following: economic development, control of sprawl, building construction and historic preservation, expanded recreational and cultural opportunities, green infrastructure, improved housing, preserved open space, not to mention political reform and environmental justic.

The urban planner looks towards the short-term upgrading of the city and, over the longer term, the modernization of its physical fabric. The intent, in both cases, is to increase its efficiency and appeal and make it responsive to economic, ecological, and social needs. The urban planner will see shifts in the national marketplace that might boost local employment and bring new custom and ideas. Other concerns, more mundane yet of great short-term importance, may fall on his or her desk and might include, grant applications for public housing renovation, trash collection and recycling, hazardous waste disposal, and reports and opinions on private development proposals for presentation before city or town boards. Improvements, once made, must be managed effcicently, and to this end planners are constantly reviewing government policy and management stratgeies.

Theoretical and practical knowledge and expertise will require familiarity within these areas:

1. City as a work of art, a) issues in urban design; b) issues in historic preservation and conservation, c) history of city form.

2. Urban sociology, a) understanding the nature of age and infirmity, b) of racial enmity and class prejudice, c) of poverty and homelessness, d) of violence and public safety, e) of recreation and life on the street.

3. Environmental quality, a) public water supply, sewerage treatment, and storm water runoff, b) development impacts on wetlands other senstive areas, c) clean air and pollution, d) protection of urban open space.

4. Economics, a) budgets and tax bases, b) industrial, commercial development, c) tourism, d) state and federal fiscal policies, e) impacts of new housing and suburban development proposals.

5. Legal and political aspects of urban life, a) zoning, subdivision control, codes and code enforcement, b) the interaction of the city, state and federal legislation, c) minority representation, d) funding of social and education services, e) genesis of current policies.

Suggested Curriculum - Senior Year

General Notes:

1. All courses noted * are required and cannot be waived or substituted. All courses must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a grade of a C or better.
2. Electives may be used for Internships (through the Independent Study Option) in the spring semester of your Junior year and in both semesters of your Senior year provided, a) you have an overall cumulative average of 3.0; b) your internship has the approval of your Advisor and ED Director; c) you sign the necessary Independant Study Contract.
3. Students must take 7 Environmental Design Core courses (see Handbook page 3) and 9 courses in their area of concentration (see Handbook page 15). Available concentration courses vary from semester to semester. Check with your Advisor for the current list.
4. If students have not taken EnvirDes 205 and EnvirDes 291A in their freshman and sophomore years, they must take them in their junior and senior years.