MS in City Planning

History, concepts, and methods of contemporary urban and regional planning practice. Governmental, nonprofit, and private settings of professional planning; plans, research, and policy development; uses and implementation of planning. Political analysis of planning issues, such as comprehensiveness, public interest, advocacy, negotiation, and future orientation. Case materials drawn from redevelopment, growth management, land use conflicts, and service delivery.   [ 4 cr. ]

Exploration of principles and practices essential for planning cities that are both sustainable and resilient to climate change. Strategies to create environmentally responsible, economically viable, and socially equitable urban futures will be examined. Key topics include climate adaptation and mitigation, green infrastructure, urban resilience, sustainable transportation, and energy-efficient urban design. Through case studies, policy analysis, and hands-on projects, students will develop the skills to design and implement innovative solutions that address the impacts of climate change while promoting sustainable urban development.  [ 4 cr. ]

Comprehensive understanding of how economic principles can be applied to urban planning and policymaking. Exploration of microeconomic theories and models to learn how cities and regions function, analyze urban problems, and evaluate urban policies. Economic, social, and political dimensions of state and local government finances, including revenue generation, expenditure management, and budgetary processes will be explored. Key topics include public finance theory, municipal budgets, property taxes, and economic incentives.  [ 4 cr. ]

Research methods are essential in urban planning and policy, where professionals must critically evaluate and apply research to program and policy development, implementation, and assessment. This course takes students through the research process, from formulating questions to reporting findings, with a focus on applied research and program evaluation. Students will explore quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodologies, along with various data collection methods such as interviews, observations, focus groups, surveys, content analysis, and secondary data sources. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to design, assess, and implement research-based solutions to urban challenges.  [ 4 cr. ]

Evidence-based and data-driven approaches to urban problems are the industry standard among municipalities, agencies, and non-governmental organizations. This course will cover a variety of statistical "tools" from three broad areas: (1) descriptive statistics, (2) inferential statistics and hypothesis testing, and (3) measures of association. Students will learn how to develop research questions, describe, and draw conclusions from quantitative data, and interpret statistical research findings, and be able to present these findings to a variety of audiences in a clear and accurate way -- to be able to "tell a story" with numbers. In addition, students will develop a proficiency working with large data sets and conducting analysis with a critical lens, using the analytical software -- Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) -- commonly used in urban planning and related fields.  [ 4 cr. ]

Exploration of the legal frameworks that shape land use and urban planning in the United States. Key topics include zoning, property rights, eminent domain, and environmental regulations. Students will examine the roles of local, state, and federal governments in developing land use policies and how legal tools influence community planning, housing, and economic development. Through case studies and legal analysis, this course prepares students to navigate the complex legal landscape that impacts urban growth, sustainability, and land use planning.  [ 4 cr. ]

Foundations of GIS and Spatial Analysis provides an introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specifically with a focus on applications in urban planning. The role of spatial analysis in local, state, and regional planning has steadily increased over the last decade with the infusion of windows-based GIS software such as ESRI ArcGIS. The class focus is to prepare students to feel comfortable communicating with other GIS users, research spatial data, and produce high-quality digital maps in an applied learning environment.  [ 4 cr. ]

Planning studio course for students pursuing the master’s degree in city planning. Students will gain experience in the technical side of planning, with an awareness of the normative and value laden aspects of the planning profession. Integral components of the first semester Capstone experience include conducting site visits, assessing existing conditions of the study area, conducting initial stakeholder outreach meetings, designing a stakeholder outreach strategy and conducting a SWOT analysis.  [ 4 cr. ]

Planning studio course for students pursuing the master’s degree in city planning. Students will gain experience in the technical side of planning, with an awareness of the normative and value laden aspects of the planning profession. Integral components of the second semester Capstone experience include formulating guiding principles for intervention, conducting stakeholder engagement efforts, formulating Vision Plan recommendations and projects and preparing a final vision plan.  [ 4 cr. ]

Surveys the factors affecting supply and price of urban housing. Examines federal, state, and municipal programs, as well as future policy options, from the standpoint of housing quality and community development goals. Analysis of selected international comparative experience.   [ 4 cr. ]

Various factors affecting location, construction, financing, and marketing of real estate in metropolitan areas. Studies the relationship of public policy to the activities of the private sector, market analysis techniques, evaluation of development projects, and problems of real estate investment.   [ 4 cr. ]

Graduate Prerequisites: (METUA301 & METUA701) or consent of instructor. - UA510 is the designation for "Special Topics in Planning". The subject matter for UA510 courses changes from semester to semester, and more than one UA510 can be offered in a given semester.   [ 4 cr. ]

This course is designed to present a comprehensive approach to environmental law, policy, and justice at all levels of government, including federal, state, and local governments. Principles and status of environmental law for pollution control and environmental improvement. Impact statements, resource conservation and protection, growth management. Emphasis on air, water, land, and hazardous waste issues, environmental, economic, and other policy relationships. Case materials and court decisions will be used.  [ 4 cr. ]

Using a blended seminar and design studio format, this course equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in transportation planning processes and to develop conceptual designs for multimodal transportation networks. Students learn the history, theories, principles, and design standards of multimodal transportation planning, developing and practicing design skills during studio sessions. Readings include academic literature; government plans and reports; news articles; construction plans; as well as design manuals and guidelines for designing pedestrian, bicycle, micromobility, and transit infrastructure, and for integrating different types of transportation into urban environments. Class sessions are supplemented with site visits, guest presentations, and case studies drawn from the local, state, and national level.  [ 4 cr. ]

Examines historical and contemporary issues involved in providing food to cities and metropolitan areas. Tracing the routes that food takes into the city and the major sources of food, the course looks closely at the accessibility of food, especially in poorer urban neighborhoods. Among topics covered are obesogenic neighborhoods, food deserts, gentrification and foodie culture, public school food nutrition, attempts to minimize food waste, and immigrants and ethnic foods in the city. The course also considers recent attempts at food production in cities, including urban agriculture, vertical farming, and craft production of food products. After closely looking at the history and current status of food programs, the course concludes with a consideration of urban food policies.  [ 4 cr. ]

Exploration of major urban challenges in the U.S., with some focus on global issues. Students will examine the causes, nature, and consequences of these problems, considering their interdependence and complexity. The course focuses on U.S. policy formulation, encouraging students to analyze how public and private responses can address urban issues. Through case studies and research, students will deepen their understanding of urban problems and develop skills to critically analyze and propose effective policy solutions.  [ 4 cr. ]

Case studies of political decision-making roles in urban conflict management and resource allocation. Community power distribution, factors influencing change, leadership styles, and relationships to administrators and planners. Selected policy issues, such as redevelopment, education, crime, and service delivery.   [ 4 cr. ]

The role of urban design in the community development process. Examines human behavior, aesthetic foundations of design methods, citizen/client participation, and public policy issues. Analysis of actual community spaces. Student design exercises.   [ 4 cr. ]

Sustainability generally refers to the ability of "systems" to be maintained such that they remain viable over long periods of time. As much as achieving the perfect sustainable equilibrium may be the ideal, it is important to recognize that there will be competing and conflicting interests, especially within complex hierarchical social, economic and ecological systems, particularly in light of ongoing climatic change. This field intensive course draws on the practices and theories of sustainability and climate change to understand what sustainability can mean in different contexts, and, more important, how nuanced, sustainable solutions can be achieved under varying conditions and in different systems. With an emphasis on the urban environment, the course will consist of projects in which students will identify, analyze, and develop practical proposals to real world issues. This course is intended for a wider audience from a range of disciplines.  [ 4 cr. ]

This course will provide students with a broad introduction to important concepts and policy issues in transportation, principally at an urban and metropolitan level. In addition, the course will explore methods planning practitioners can use to analyze transportation problems and propose solutions. The course will use specific examples of planning initiatives (both operations and capital) from transportation agencies within the Boston Metropolitan region. Guest speakers from local, regional, and state transportation agencies within the Greater Boston Metropolitan area will supplement the instructor's lectures and assigned readings.   [ 4 cr. ]

Studying Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) for Urban Analysis equips students with the analytical tools and methodologies to understand and solve complex urban challenges. This knowledge is crucial for making informed decisions related to urban planning, infrastructure development, disaster management, and sustainability efforts. Through practical applications and real-world case studies, the course prepares students to contribute effectively to the development of smarter, more resilient, sustainable, and equitable urban environments.  [ 4 cr. ]

This course specifically explores the area where the private and public sectors meet so that the student can develop an awareness of the complexity of dealing with these often competing interests. The objective of the course is to give the student an understanding of the motivations of the private sector in the way they go about creating their products and projects and to leave the student with the tools and knowledge to successfully negotiate the Public Interest with the Private Needs.   [ 4 cr. ]

Limited to a maximum of 8 credits toward the degree requirements. Approval by program director required prior to registration. Study of urban and public affairs and planning individually arranged between student and instructor to provide training opportunities not available elsewhere.  [ 4 cr. ]

Limited to a maximum of four credits toward the degree requirements. Approval by program director required prior to registration. Students spend a minimum of 5 hours per week working with public agencies, community groups, or private organizations, during the semester.   [ 4 cr. ]