The University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning recently was ranked among the country’s top 10 urban and regional planning graduate programs, and No. 1 in the Midwest, according to Planetizen’s latest Guide to Graduate Education Programs.
Taubman College also was among the top 10 programs as ranked by planning educators who participated in the biennial survey, and among the top 10 programs with the largest international student enrollment.
“Our program provides students and scholars with an unmatched breadth of opportunity and experience, backed by the prestige and strength of one of the nation’s top public universities. Faculty and students work with peers across campus to generate leading-edge strategies for addressing climate change, mobility, and equitable development,” said Jonathan Massey, Taubman College dean, and professor of architecture. “We are proud to have public recognition of what we know to be true — Taubman College is an exceptional place to learn and teach.”
Program rankings are based on a combination of 29 metrics organized into four criteria, including statistical data collected from the programs themselves and opinion data gathered from planning educators. Published every two years, the Planetizen guide is the only comprehensive ranking and listing of graduate urban planning programs.
As part of the University of Michigan, which consistently ranks among the nation’s best public universities, Taubman College provides access and exposure to the interdisciplinary resources and research capabilities unique to U-M.
“Through classes, travel grants, and general partnerships throughout the university, Taubman College has supported my academic efforts around the world and at home,” said Gwen Gell, a dual-degree student studying urban and regional planning and urban design. “Taubman College also brings in highly regarded professionals, practitioners, and academics from outside of the university to highlight unique voices that are shaping and evolving the fields. As a dual-degree student, I appreciate the ability I have here to access these interrelated fields.”
While college officials are pleased to be continually recognized as a leader in education in urban and regional planning, they note what matters most is preparing students to become leaders who make a profound difference by planning and designing better built environments.
“Taubman students develop a rigorous understanding of key concepts in urban and regional planning, but always with an eye toward how those concepts can be applied in the real world to create more inclusive and equitable communities,” said Joe Grengs, chair of urban and regional planning, and associate professor. “We challenge our students each and every day to think about how to turn knowledge into real, purposeful change to improve lives and society.”
Planetizen describes itself as an independent resource for people passionate about planning and related fields. Throughout the process, Planetizen consults with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning’s Institutional Data Task Force to ensure that the rankings meet rigorous standards of data collection and analysis.
Learn More: Urban and Regional Planning, Planetizen Rankings
The A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning is a leader in education in architecture, and urban and regional planning, and consistently is named among the best architecture and planning schools in the country. A complement of disciplinary and interdisciplinary degree programs ranging from pre-professional to post-professional to Ph.D. prepares students for practice with a competitive edge made possible by an approach to academics rooted in experimentation and innovation. Energetic faculty, staff, and students from a diverse, creative, and collaborative community within the University of Michigan, one of the world’s largest research universities.
