Curriculum & Courses

This advanced seminar explores the strategic geospatial analysis of cities and regions. Students employ the ArcGIS Pro desktop GIS mapping application to become proficient in suitability modeling, mapping clusters, and regression analysis. Using the Python scripting language, students develop custom tools and methods for spatial analysis. The class culminates in an analysis competition, in which students apply analytical concepts to contemporary urban issues. Prior completion of MPUP 605 is required for students with no prior exposure to GIS software.

This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

This seminar explores how urban planners collect and use information to examine a broad range of social, environmental, land use, economic, and organizational data. Students will become informed users of this data and acquire the skills to perform diverse quantitative research. The first half of the course explores research methods for data collection and information gathering. The second half of the course explores rigorous statistical methods and quantitative data analysis. Using case studies, the course provides students with practical instruction on how to thoughtfully define and address planning-related problems using empirical, quantitative data.

This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

This core course explores the values and decisions related to the ethical practice of urban planning in democratic societies. Students investigate the process of developing ethical frameworks and advancing decision-making in professional planning practice. Students critically assess historical practices in the context of the multi-cultural city and contemporary goals for social and environmental justice.

This course is a core requirement of the degree and requires a grade of "B" or better for successful completion. This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

This core course explores the values and decisions related to the ethical practice of urban planning in democratic societies. Students investigate the process of developing ethical frameworks and advancing decision-making in professional planning practice. Students critically assess historical practices in the context of the multi-cultural city and contemporary goals for social and environmental justice.

This course is a core requirement of the degree and requires a grade of "B" or better for successful completion. This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

This seminar is an introduction to Geographic Information Systems and their application within the fields of urban planning, asset management and public administration. Students develop proficiency in ESRI software and discover geo-coded data in support of performing spatial analysis in cities and regions. This course includes a combination of hands-on instruction as well as lectures introducing contemporary applications. Students will produce a final spatial analysis project as the dedicated means to researching communities and the built-environment.

This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

Independent Study is a student-initiated and student-designed course of study. It can be structured either as a professional internship or as an advanced academic study project. Students must apply to take this course in the previous semester using the special application form. Once approved, students are assigned an academic advisor to help guide their work. Students are required to make an oral presentation at the conclusion of the semester.

This course requires department approval. This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

This advanced seminar is organized as a studio investigating the introduction of new technologies into urban places and systems. The course is structured to enable students to work collaboratively with industry professionals seeking to develop new urban solutions. This class requires all students to perform systems analysis, design thinking, and creative problem-solving. Interim exercises emphasize methods of problem definition, documentation, interdisciplinary analysis, and scenario-based analysis. Effective communication skills are developed to support the translation of complex interdisciplinary problems into understandable and actionable measures. A final project requires students to create a defined application that blends technology management and urban planning.

This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

This seminar employs on-site residency to explore the unprecedented scale of urban development across the continent of Asia. Central to the course are the challenges and opportunities associated with harnessing the processes of urbanization as a vehicle for producing social, environmental and economic outcomes. The course is organized around a 9-day travel itinerary to a city in Asia in order to conduct field study and meet local public officials, researchers and professionals. Students acquire field research skills through the investigation of a special topic of their choosing, documenting their observations in the field and preparing a final presentation which identifies contemporary innovations in urban development and community planning. This course includes a travel fee which covers on-ground expenses during the residency.

This course meets in person at the day and time listed. This course requires department approval.

Professional Internship is a one-credit, student-initiated course of study to advance professional practice knowledge. It is structured as a professional internship in coordination with an external organization. Students must apply to take this course in the previous semester using the special application form. Students are required to make an oral presentation at the conclusion of the semester.

This course requires department approval. This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

This seminar explores the practice of delivering high-performance infrastructure in the United States and globally. Course material introduces students to key areas of practice, including innovative municipal finance, civic technologies and data generation, regulatory innovation and cross-sector partnerships. Content is delivered through case studies, site visits and professional expert briefs. Students conduct research in a final project with context-specific infrastructure projects in a dedicated urban marketplace.

This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

Capstone is the culminating course in the program curriculum and the final requirement to become eligible to graduate. Students propose a topic, conduct research and work with an adviser to develop an argument advancing the professional practice of urban planning. Projects may be place-based, practice-based or be completed as a professional engagement. All students must present their work to a visiting review committee and submit a written deliverable for final evaluation. Capstone may be paired with Independent Study in the previous semester to allow the completion of an academic thesis. Upon completion students are encouraged to publish their work through Digital Georgetown and by doing so make their work searchable by the public. Students must apply to take this course in the previous semester using the special application form.

This course is a core requirement of the degree and requires a grade of "B" or better for successful completion. This course requires department approval. This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

This advanced seminar explores the strategic geospatial analysis of cities and regions. Students employ the ArcGIS Pro desktop GIS mapping application to become proficient in suitability modeling, mapping clusters, and regression analysis. Using the Python scripting language, students develop custom tools and methods for spatial analysis. The class culminates in an analysis competition, in which students apply analytical concepts to contemporary urban issues. Prior completion of MPUP 605 is required for students with no prior exposure to GIS software.

This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

Capstone is the culminating course in the program curriculum and the final requirement to become eligible to graduate. Students propose a topic, conduct research and work with an adviser to develop an argument advancing the professional practice of urban planning. Projects may be place-based, practice-based or be completed as a professional engagement. All students must present their work to a visiting review committee and submit a written deliverable for final evaluation. Capstone may be paired with Independent Study in the previous semester to allow the completion of an academic thesis. Upon completion students are encouraged to publish their work through Digital Georgetown and by doing so make their work searchable by the public. Students must apply to take this course in the previous semester using the special application form.

This seminar is an introduction to Geographic Information Systems and their application within the fields of urban planning, asset management and public administration. Students develop proficiency in ESRI software and discover geo-coded data in support of performing spatial analysis in cities and regions. This course includes a combination of hands-on instruction as well as lectures introducing contemporary applications. Students will produce a final spatial analysis project as the dedicated means to researching communities and the built-environment.

This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

This core course examines the history of the planning profession and the planner’s role in urban development. Themes include the physical design of cities, the social construct of community and the planner's response to new technologies. Course readings emphasize primary texts associated with urban planning practice and students complete an in-depth historical case study of urban planning outcomes.

This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

Independent Study is a student-initiated and student-designed course of study. It can be structured either as a professional internship or as an advanced academic study project. Students must apply to take this course in the previous semester using the special application form. Once approved, students are assigned an academic advisor to help guide their work. Students are required to make an oral presentation at the conclusion of the semester.

This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

This core course studies landmark land use law cases that form the legal foundation of contemporary urban planning practice. Students examine the law as a method by which to shape the quality of neighborhoods and communities. Students evaluate legal constraints that arise in the course of the planning practice which directly impact urban development and resource allocation. The powers and constraints of zoning law are introduced in addition to the environmental and housing frameworks that govern metropolitan form.

This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

This seminar explores the world's fastest growing industry: global travel and tourism. Utilizing global case studies, students gain exposure to the planning and management practices employed to balance global economics with local development outcomes. A critical question centers on the development of sustainable place-based tourism, which leverages distinct cultural, social, and historical attributes of a place, but which also is deliberate in assessing the collateral local impacts of the global tourism industry. The course surveys policies, markets, infrastructure, labor, training, product design and marketing in the cumulative effort to position unique places in the global marketplace. Performance based outcomes are evaluated with respect to economic, environmental and cultural sustainability, in support of the creation of a place-based hospitality framework.

This course meets in-person at the day and time listed.

This core course examines the facets of sustainability planning that affect the health and future of the 21st century city in the era of climate change. As urban populations increase and natural resources grow more scarce, the principles of sustainable communities become integral to shaping livable urban environments. Theories of sustainability, sustainability policy, as well as obstacles to sustainable development are reviewed and case studies of sustainable communities are used to establish global benchmarks of best practices.

This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

This seminar explores how to intentionally plan the built environment to improve public health, while critically examining risk factors linked to health and safety outcomes. Students develop proficiency in key areas of public health, gain exposure to tools and methods to translate research into action, and gain exposure to emerging trends influencing professional practice in planning, design and real estate. A key objective is to introduce evidence-based, feasible, and health-driven decision making frameworks, which place an emphasis on translating concepts into urban planning, design and investment actions.

This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

This core course introduces students to the underlying skills and research methods necessary to excel in the Urban & Regional Planning program. Students will become familiar with the sources of data, quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, and spatial analysis, while concurrently developing knowledge in the concepts and terminology of urban planning practice. Through readings, lectures, field study and applied analysis, students gain proficiency in applying both foundational knowledge and skills. This course is required for all incoming students.

This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

Professional Internship is a one-credit, student-initiated course of study to advance professional practice knowledge. It is structured as a professional internship in coordination with an external organization. Students must apply to take this course in the previous semester using the special application form. Students are required to make an oral presentation at the conclusion of the semester.

This course meets in person at the day and time listed. The course requires department approval for registration.

This seminar is a comprehensive introduction to the goals, strategies, and planning practices of urban transportation systems. Transportation planning is introduced across all modes, and in multiple locations in varying metro-regional contexts. Students explore how transportation planning sets goals, develops strategies, and assesses outcomes in meeting a community's transportation needs. Case studies are used to assess planning, regulatory, and funding strategies in the context of local, regional, and national transportation policies. The course includes a critical assessment of how new technologies and transit-oriented development strategies are disrupting old assumptions with concepts of urban mobility services, walkability, and on-demand transit.

This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

Capstone is the culminating course in the program curriculum and the final requirement to become eligible to graduate. Students propose a topic, conduct research and work with an adviser to develop an argument advancing the professional practice of urban planning. Projects may be place-based, practice-based or be completed as a professional engagement. All students must present their work to a visiting review committee and submit a written deliverable for final evaluation. Capstone may be paired with Independent Study in the previous semester to allow the completion of an academic thesis. Upon completion students are encouraged to publish their work through Digital Georgetown and by doing so make their work searchable by the public. Students must apply to take this course in the previous semester using the special application form.

Capstone is the culminating course in the program curriculum and the final requirement to become eligible to graduate. Students propose a topic, conduct research and work with an adviser to develop an argument advancing the professional practice of urban planning. Projects may be place-based, practice-based or be completed as a professional engagement. All students must present their work to a visiting review committee and submit a written deliverable for final evaluation. Capstone may be paired with Independent Study in the previous semester to allow the completion of an academic thesis. Upon completion students are encouraged to publish their work through Digital Georgetown and by doing so make their work searchable by the public. Students must apply to take this course in the previous semester using the special application form.

This course meets in person at the day and time listed. This course is a core requirement of the degree and requires a grade of "B" or better for successful completion. This course requires department approval for registration.