BS(Hons) Urban Planning and Sustainable Development

The BS(Hons) Urban Planning and Sustainable Development program at Western Washington University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of urban planning and sustainable development. The program focuses on the social, economic, and environmental aspects of urban planning, and equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to address complex sustainability challenges in urban environments. Students will learn about urban design, transportation planning, environmental policy, and community engagement, among other topics. The program is ideal for students interested in pursuing a career in urban planning or related fields.

Additional Information

The program is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) and has a strong reputation in the field of urban planning. Our faculty members are experienced professionals in the field and have a wealth of knowledge to share with students. The program also offers opportunities for internships, research projects, and service-learning experiences, providing students with practical experience in the field.

Discover the Leader in Urban Planning Education at Western Washington University

Western Washington University is an excellent choice for students interested in urban planning and sustainable development due to its strong reputation in the field and location in a vibrant urban environment. The university offers a range of courses and resources that provide students with a well-rounded education in urban planning, including courses on environmental policy, transportation planning, and community engagement. Additionally, the university's proximity to Seattle and other major cities provides students with access to a diverse range of cultural, economic, and political contexts that can inform their learning and provide valuable practical experience.

This interdisciplinary program prepares students to enter professional fields concerned with the sustainability of the human and natural environment. The Urban Planning and Sustainable Development major consists of foundation, urban planning core, specialization, capstone and experiential courses. The foundation and planning core requirement incorporates the interdisciplinary foundation of the College of the Environment’s approach to the study of the human and natural environment, with an emphasis on public policy development, law, and the methods, theory, and processes of planning and decision-making. The specialization courses allow students to develop an area of specialized interest in a defined planning sub-discipline, to concentrate on a minor in an academic discipline, or to select from a number of thematically oriented clusters of courses.

College of the Environment’s Urban Planning and Sustainable Development major emphasizes innovative approaches to solving complex problems facing communities from the local to the global level. The program stresses progressive change leading towards equitable, healthful, livable, and sustainable communities with the emphasis on social and environmental justice, diversity, and service to under-served communities. The curriculum combines urban planning, urban and sustainable design, planning laws, environmental policy, and natural sciences to provide students with an understanding of the linkages between urban and natural systems and the multidimensional problems in urban development.

Graduates are prepared for entry-level careers in planning agencies, consulting firms, and nonprofit organizations in various fields locally, nationally, and internationally, as well as advanced graduate studies.

Why Consider a Study of Urban Planning and Sustainable Development Major?

Do you want to shape the cities of tomorrow by:

• planning and designing livable communities and neighborhoods?

• addressing climate change and environmental sustainability?

• promoting social justice and equity?

• developing housing affordability solutions?

• incorporating transportation and climate action innovations in city plans?

• collaborating with government agencies, non-profit organization, and community groups to address local, regional, and global problems?

Then Urban Planning and Sustainable Development, BA is the major for you. Cities are at the forefront of innovations that deal with these challenges and Western’s UPSD program will prepare you to be part of the solution!

Academic Requirements for freshman students:

The admission requirements for undergraduate courses are given as follows:

• Completed application form

• Academic Transcripts(certified english translations if necessary)

• Relevant High school degree/Grade Report/Certificates

• SAT or ACT Scores (Optional)

• A cumulative GPA of 2.0

• Personal Statement or essay

• One letter of recommendation

• List of extracurricular activities(if any)

• Portfolio