Graduate / Concentrations
Physical Planning and Urban Design
“Each generation writes its own biography in the cities it creates.”
—Lewis Mumford,
The Culture of Cities
What will our cities say about this generation? While technology has allowed us to create virtual worlds of interaction, our collective need for memorable places, meaningful communities, and ecologically appropriate settlements has never been greater. The purpose of this concentration is to enable planning students to contribute to the design, function, and sustainability of our communities. In this concentration, students undertake activities that require them to:
- visualize scale, density, and the physical dimensions of different built structures, transportation systems, and infrastructure requirements;
- create and critique site plans with regards to their contextual appropriateness (from diverse perspectives that include aesthetics, function, inclusion, and environment);
- understand how different design philosophies and traditions have influenced form, configuration, and the distribution of uses and users;
- recognize how development and real estate influence the products and processes of urban design;
- respect present and future inhabitants of the neighborhoods we hope to build and recognize how meaningful community participation can enhance their design.
Classes in this concentration range include lectures, seminars, field trips, and studios. Students in this concentration (other than those with a previous degree in architecture or landscape architecture)must participate in UP 518 (Physical Planning and Urban Design Studio). In this foundational studio class, students propose change on real sites, with real clients, and consider a myriad of constraints. Increasingly, computer representation is an important communication tool. Students in UP 518 who are unfamiliar with some of these visualization and graphic design tools will receive an introduction.
Students who concentrate in physical planning and urban design normally take UP 631 (Land Use and Physical Planning Workshop) for their capstone requirement. In this course, architecture and planning students work together on a large-scale urban design project. However, some students may opt to participate in other capstone projects (UP 634), professional projects of their own design, or complete a thesis. Students who opt not to participate in UP 631 should discuss this with their advisor and the concentration coordinator.
Students in the concentration complete at least one of the Foundational Courses and two Techniques/Methods course.
Students in the concentration normally take the following courses that provide a basic foundation:
| Foundation Courses | |
|---|---|
| UP 519 | Theories of Urban Design (Fall 1st year) (required) |
| UP 443 | History of Urban Form (ARCH 443) |
| UP521 | The Social Life of Public Spaces |
Techniques/Methods |
|
| UP 518 | Physical Planning and Urban Design Workshop (Winter 1st year. Required of students who do not have a prior degree in architecture or landscape architecture.) |
| UP631 | Land Use and Physical Planning Studio |
| UP 406 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems |
| UP 507 | Intermediate Geographic Information Systems |
| UP 520 | Urban Land Use Planning |
| UP 613 | Architect/Planner as Developer (ARCH 517) |
| CEE 532 | Construction Management and Project Engineering |
| NRE 605 | Green Construction and Design (BA 605) |
| NRE 586 | Visualizing the Environment |
Other Related Courses |
|
| UP 517 | Real Estate Essentials |
| UP 563 | Strategic Planning for Real Estate Companies |
| UP 564 | Integrative Real Estate Seminar |
| UP 521 | The Social Life of Public Spaces |
| UP 560 | Behavior and Environment (NRE 560) |
| UP 594 | American Planning 1900-2000 |
| UP 655 | Neighborhood Planning (SCOWK 655) |
| ARCH 563 | Colonial/Post-Colonial Architecture and Urbanism |
| NRE 641* | Research Methods in Environment and Behavior |
| NRE 688* | Site Planning and Design (note prereqs.) |
| UD 723* | Methodologies of Urban Design |
* Indicates course is a cognate.
Additional Opportunities for Students in the Physical Planning and Urban Design Concentration
Hines Competition
Sponsored by the Urban Land Institute, this annual project engages multidisciplinary student teams in proposing development concepts and financing. This project occurs in late January/early February each year. Team organization begins in the fall.
Post-professional Master of Urban Design
Students who want greater depth in urban design can apply for admission to the Urban Design Program after completing their M.U.P. degree.
Dual Degree in M. Arch/M.U.P.
Students who want much greater depth in architecture and structures can apply for admission to the Architecture Program and the dual degree program between Architecture and Urban Planning.
Student-Initiated Dual Degree in Landscape Architecture and M.U.P.
Students who are interested in site planning and design at a range of scale that consider the built and natural environment may apply for admission to the School of Natural Resources and Environment for admission to the Landscape Architecture Program (three year graduate program).
Real Estate Certificate Program
Design and Development are closely intertwined. Students in the physical planning and urban design concentration will be encouraged to consider participation in the real estate certificate program.
Faculty associated with the concentration:
- Larissa Larsen (Concentration Coordinator)
- Robert Fishman
- Douglas Kelbaugh
- Roy Strickland (Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Urban Design Program)
