Why Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning? : Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning : UMass Amherst

Ready to build a brighter future for people and the planet? At UMass Amherst, you can receive a professionally accredited degree in landscape architecture or regional planning. We also offer a highly flexible Bachelor of Science Sustainable Community Development and a skills-based Associate of Science in Landscape Contracting.

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Mohammed Abdelaal and Robert Ryan publish new study addressing emerging challenges in campus planning

Mohammed Abdelaal, PhD in Planning, and Professor Robert Ryan, landscape architecture and regional planning, published a new article that examines how 11 public R1 universities in the Northeast and Midwest are addressing these issues through a review of campus plans and interviews with senior

November 5, 2025

Three UMass landscape architecture alumni inducted into the ASLA 2025 Class of Fellows

The Department congratulates three alumni, Lauren Stimson of STIMSON, Matthew Cunningham of Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design, and David Yuezhing Chen of EcoLand Planning and Design Corporation, who were elevated as ASLA Fellows on October 12th during the ASLA Conference in New Orleans.

November 5, 2025

Camille Barchers' MRP studio teaches Springfield Honors Academy students about planning

The UMass Amherst Master of Regional Planning studio, instructed by Assistant Professor Camille Barchers , welcomed Springfield Honors Academy students to the Design Building for an introduction to planning. The MRP studio led a series of games designed to help students learn about the role of a

October 29, 2025

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Landscape Architecture Students Identify Plant Species on the UMass Design Building Rooftop Garden

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Giving You the Tools to Make a Difference

Discover how our programs will help you use your creativity, love for the outdoors, or passion for helping communities to make a positive impact in the world.

From the Studio

Our students work with clients and communities on real-world projects.

Senior Urban Design Studio

From Scrapyard to an Urban Landscape of Recovery: Visions for the Danny Corp Industrial Brownfield in Hartford, CT

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture students, taught by Professor Frank Sleegers and PhD in Regional Planning candidate Michael Amato, are working with the City of Hartford Neighborhood Planning Department to envision the recovery and revitalization of a former scrapyard in the Parkville neighborhood of Hartford, CT as a place for living, working and recreation.

Senior Urban Design Studio at Brownfield site in Hartford, CT.

Master of Regional Planning Studio

Deerfield River Valley RISE

This year's MRP second-year studio, instructed by Assistant Professor Camille Barchers, has joined with the Windham Regional Commission to help the Deerfield River Valley adapt to climate-driven flooding risks by creating equitable and lasting tools that connect public concerns with meaningful analysis. The project—Deerfield River Valley RISE (Resilience in Shifting Environments)—focuses on four southern Vermont towns: Wilmington, Dover, Whitingham, and Readsboro. Learn more in a new article by UMass Amherst.

Grace Rennison and Seth Price (right) engage with a Readsboro resident over a mapping exercise addressing flooding risks in southern Vermont.

Master of Landscape Architecture Studio

Hills to Harbor: CAN Film Festival

Third-year Master of Landscape Architecture candidates, taught by Assistant Professor Samantha Solano, are competing in the 2025 Envision Resilience Midcoast Maine Challenge. MLA students are studying the future impacts of sea-level rise, tidal flooding, stormwater flooding, and other climate induced scenarios on the critical landscapes and infrastructure in Bath, ME.

Envision Resilience Challenge Studio Visit Bath, ME

Alumni Stories

From habitat design to city planning, our alumni create spaces where communities and nature can thrive.

Andrew Carrano

Landscape Architectural Designer (BSLA '22)

Andrew Carrano designs animal habitats in zoos all over the country as a landscape architectural designer at CLR Design

Chandana Palika

Landscape Designer (MLA '24)

Chandana Palika is a Landscape Designer at Lord Aeck Sargent Planning & Design, where she assists with planning, organizing, and developing deliverables across both landscape architecture and urban design projects.

Lucía Peña-Banda

Project Assistant (BSLA/BSSCD '23)

As a Project Assistant for the City of Boston Planning Department, Lucía Peña-Banda supports the review of urban development projects across Boston—from mid-sized affordable housing to large-scale master plans.

Drew Thomas

Transportation Planner & Geographer (MRP & MS Geography '24)

Drew Thomas, AICP, is a transportation planner and geographer currently working at the Connecticut Transportation Institute. At CTI, Drew works with the Connecticut Transportation Safety Research Center team developing tools for managing transportation assets and safety across the state.

Upcoming Events

Audience members at Zube Lecture presented by Joel Mills

Zube Lecture Series - Fall

The UMass Amherst Department of Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning's Zube Lecture Series invites experts and practitioners to UMass Amherst to present on major topics in the fields of landscape architecture, regional planning, and sustainable community development. Join us on Thursdays this fall for weekly talks on climate resilience, community justice, AI and the environment, and more!

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Guest critic provides feedback on student's studio project.

Final Studio Presentations

Landscape architecture and regional planning students will present their final studio projects to faculty, clients, and guest critics on December 4th, 5th, and 8th in the Olver Design Building. Presentations are open to the public with free admission.