Create a more sustainable world through planning and design. Sustainable community development students love cities and regions, and they are committed to making them work for everyone and nature. Our program draws on a variety of disciplinary fields and seeks built environment and policy solutions that balance equity, economics, and environmental considerations. The curriculum is flexible and interdisciplinary, allowing students to broadly explore ways of envisioning sustainable communities.
The UMass sustainable community development program offers four areas of concentration:
- Urban studies
- Landscape studies
- Horticulture studies
- Built environment
Sustainable community development offers small classes, a rigorous yet flexible curriculum, and concentrations that suit many needs. Students earn their degree in three or four years or choose to go on for an accelerated, fifth-year master's.
Check out our program page.
Interested in a minor or dual degree? Learn more about the SCD minor. Visit LARP for information on dual majors or dual-degree options.
What You'll Learn
Our students learn the theories and techniques of design and planning for creating sustainable communities and conserving the environment. Their training includes:
- Public participation theory and practice to build equity
- Land use and built form for more sustainable cities
- Local economic development with broad benefits
- Sustainability theory and practice in cities and regions
- Reducing the impacts of climate change
Careers
Our students are highly qualified for a wide variety of positions, including:
- Nonprofit organizations
- Community development agencies
- Municipalities
- Private firms specializing in site- municipal-, and regional-level work
Resources
- SCD program page
- Curriculum: 4-year program or 3-year program
- SCD minor