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M.S. Urban Planning

The Master of Science in Urban Planning is a two-year accredited professional degree. Our program takes a comparative, global perspective to urban planning, centering social justice and critical practice. It connects the study of the urban built environment with grounded analysis of socioeconomic and political conditions to inform planning practice and praxis toward social, racial, and climate justice. We prepare students to confront and break down structures and practices of oppression rooted in class inequality, racism, and sexism. By studying the impact of global processes (such as immigration, climate change, and public health) on cities, neighborhoods, and communities—across the Global North and Global South—the program aims to foster new, creative planning and policy approaches that will improve processes and outcomes in cities around the world.
The program pays close attention to a range of methodological approaches bringing together urban analytics, grounded field research, and community engagement to address real-world planning issues. It builds on our record as one of the first planning programs in the United States to engage data science and visualization alongside spatial analysis to tackle today’s urban problems and inform planning solutions for the future. Our graduates work in critical and leading roles in government, private firms, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, multilateral institutions, and international NGOs.
IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION

For more information about the program, please email the Assistant Director: Kian Goldman.

Curriculum
The Master of Science in Urban Planning program offers four concentrations: Built Environment, Community and Economic Development, International Planning and Development, and Urban Analytics. At the core of the program are a team-based studio course, which takes place in the first year, and a thesis or professional capstone, which is carried out throughout the second year. The Urban Planning Studio is a way of modeling what it means to incorporate intellectual questions into practical proposals. The studio revolves around a real client with a real-world issue. Students work as a group under the direction of faculty, producing critical and innovative analysis of socioeconomic, environmental, and political conditions as well as stakeholder engagement. In many ways, the studio introduces, considers, and evaluates a range of scenarios in approaching complex problems.

Recently, the program has significantly updated the contents of its electives and core curriculum courses to introduce more knowledge related to the global dimensions of planning, more systematic understanding of racism and spatial inequality, and more critical assessment on the use of analytical tools. For electives, in particular, the program now offers new, knowledge- and skill-based courses on data analytics, machine learning, equitable climate action, adaptation to climate change, urban mobility and accessibility in a global context, inclusion and housing, and healthy global cities. Students can also take case-based practicums, grounded in a coherent conceptual framework, to better connect with modes of practice. In addition, a number of half-semester practicum courses are offered, including residential planning in a global context, urban public infrastructure, project management, affordable housing in high-demand cities, and mega projects in global cities.

The curriculum has shifted to further integrate studios and seminars—with seasoned practitioners teaming up with more academically-oriented faculty to better unite theory and practice. The program has also emphasized new collaborations with the design faculty to offer studios and courses that enable substantive collaboration between planning and design students.

Studios
In the Urban Planning Studio, there is a real client with a real-world issue that will be analyzed by students working as a team under the direction of faculty. The resulting deliverables reflect critical analyses of socioeconomic, environmental, and political conditions as well as stakeholder engagement, and encourage students to consider innovative practices in planning and critical thinking. Studio takes place in the spring of the students’ first year, and is thus not a “capstone” project but a way of integrating classroom learning with practical experience early in the students’ education.
Current Faculty
Jitendra Bajpai
Matthew Bauer
Melissa Bindra
Lisa Blake
Anthony Borelli
Calvin Brown
André Corrêa d'Almeida
Ubaldo Escalante
Adam Freed
Daniel Froehlich
Ebru Gencer
Maxine Griffith
Boyeong Hong
Rebecca Karp
Emily Kurtz
Anita Laremont
Javier Lopez
Peter Marcotullio
Ariella Maron
Jonathan Martin
Jessica Mathew
Kevin McQueen
Leah Meisterlin
Jon Meyers
Olivia Moss
Mauricio Rada Orellana
Kaz Sakamoto
Jeffrey Shumaker
Howard Slatkin
Kurt Steinhouse
Charlie Stewart
Adam Tanaka
Jamie Torres-Springer
Graham Trelstad
Jose Luis Vallejo
Anthony Vanky
Rachel Weinberger
Kate Wittels
Douglas Woodward
Thomas Wright

Spring 2023 Courses

Course Semester Title Student Work Instructor Syllabus Requirements & Sequence Location & Time Session & Points Call No.
P4050‑1 Spring 2023
UP Elective Internship
Douglas Woodward
BY APPOINTMENT
FULL SEMESTER
1.5 Points
11519
Pla4010‑1 Spring 2023
Planning For Urban Energy Systems
Peter Marcotullio
412 AVERY
TH 9 AM - 11 AM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11518
Pla4151‑1 Spring 2023
Economics for Planners
114 AVERY
TH 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11520
Pla6052‑1 Spring 2023
Planning Law
Kurt Steinhouse
114 AVERY
W 9 AM - 11 AM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11522
Pla6065‑1 Spring 2023
Environmental Impact Assessment
Graham Trelstad
505 AVERY
F 9 AM - 11 AM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11523
Pla6067 Spring 2023
On Spatial Exclusion and Planning
Hiba Bou Akar
204 FAYERWEATHER
TU 11 AM - 1 PM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11524
PLA6102‑1 Spring 2023
Urban Sensing and Data
Anthony Vanky
300 BUELL NORTH
TU 11 AM - 1 PM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11525
Pla6108‑1 Spring 2023
Land Use Planning
Jonathan Martin
300 BUELL SOUTH
F 11 AM - 1 PM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11526
Pla6113‑1 Spring 2023
Exploring Urban Data with Machine Learning
Mauricio Rada Orellana
202 FAYERWEATHER
M 9 AM - 11 AM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
14179
Pla6121‑1 Spring 2023
Practicum: Residential Planning in Global Cities
Kate Dunham
412 AVERY
M 11 AM - 1 PM
SES A
1.5 Points
11528
Pla6232‑1 Spring 2023
Advanced Spatial Analysis
Alanna Browdy, Daniel Froehlich
204 FAYERWEATHER
W 7 PM - 9 PM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11529
Pla6526‑1 Spring 2023
Chinese Urbanism in Global Context
Weiping Wu
408 AVERY
TU 3 PM - 5 PM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11530
PLA6613‑1 Spring 2023
Built Environment Disruption: Partnerships & Urban Technology
Kate Wittels, Adam Tanaka
204 FAYERWEATHER
TU 7 PM - 9 PM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11531
PLA6647‑1 Spring 2023
Project Management: From Idea to Execution
Charlie Stewart
412 AVERY
M 11 AM - 1 PM
SES B
1.5 Points
11532
Pla6700‑1 Spring 2023
Re Finance + Development
Olivia Moss
300 BUELL SOUTH
M 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11533
PLA6773‑1 Spring 2023
Climate Adaptation in Cities
Adam Freed
300 BUELL NORTH
TU 5 PM - 7 PM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11534
PLA6775 Spring 2023
Cities in Crisis: Planning in Comparative Perspectives
Hiba Bou Akar
204 FAYERWEATHER
TH 1 PM - 3 PM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11535
Pla6827‑1 Spring 2023
Gentrification and Displacement: Power, Planning + Political Action
Tom Slater
115 AVERY
TH 11 AM - 1 PM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
14568
Pla6829‑1 Spring 2023
Divided Cities: Political Economy of Urban Inequality
Tom Slater
114 AVERY
F 11 AM - 1 PM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
14548
Pla6911‑1 Spring 2023
Planning Studio
Anthony Borelli, Sybil Wa
204 FAYERWEATHER
W 3 PM - 7 PM
FULL SEMESTER
6 Points
11537
Pla6911‑2 Spring 2023
Planning Studio
Ebru Gencer, Lisa Blake
204 FAYERWEATHER
F 1 PM - 5 PM
FULL SEMESTER
6 Points
11538
Pla6911‑3 Spring 2023
Planning Studio
Jeffrey Shumaker, Jenna Dublin-Boc
203 FAYERWEATHER
W 3 PM - 7 PM
FULL SEMESTER
6 Points
11539
Pla6911‑4 Spring 2023
Planning Studio
Matthew Bauer, Calvin Brown
412 AVERY
F 1 PM - 5 PM
FULL SEMESTER
6 Points
11542
Pla6911‑5 Spring 2023
Joint Architecture Planning Studio
Pedro Rivera, Ubaldo Escalante
500 SOUTH AVERY
M + TH 1:30 PM - 6:30 PM
FULL SEMESTER
9 Points
11548
Pla6911‑6 Spring 2023
Joint RED Planning Studio
Adam Lubinsky
209 FAYERWEATHER
F 1 PM - 5 PM
FULL SEMESTER
6 Points
11551
Pla6919‑1 Spring 2023
Urban Planning Thesis/Capstone II
Weiping Wu
BY APPOINTMENT
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11552
Pla6926‑1 Spring 2023
Advanced Research II
Hugo Sarmiento
BY APPOINTMENT
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
12006
PLA6944‑1 Spring 2023
Climate Adaptation and Disaster Planning
Hugo Sarmiento
204 FAYERWEATHER
W 11 AM - 1 PM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
12009
A4890‑1 Spring 2023
Conflict Urbanism
Laura Kurgan
300 BUELL SOUTH
M 11 AM - 1 PM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11405
A4407‑1 Spring 2023
Methods in Spatial Research
Adam Vosburgh
WARE LOUNGE
F 9 AM - 11 AM
SES A
1.5 Points
11410
A4861‑1 Spring 2023
Footprint: Carbon and Design
David Benjamin
409 AVERY
TH 11AM - 1PM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11468
A6675‑1 Spring 2023
Resilient Caribbean: Prototyping a Hub for the Dominican Republic
Nelson De Jesus Ubri, Vanessa Espaillat Lovett
115 AVERY
W 7 PM - 9 PM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
18430
A6897‑1 Spring 2023
Principles and Praxis of Spatial Justice
Ifeoma Ebo
504 AVERY
M 11 AM - 1 PM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
11294
Pla6816‑1 Spring 2023
JOINT MSRED/MSUP SEMINAR OPTION
Adam Lubinsky, Melissa Bindra
M 1:30-3:30
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
18431
Pla6818‑1 Spring 2023
ADV VI STUDIO / SEMINAR OPTION
David Gissen
M 1:30-3:30
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
18432
PLA6870‑1 Spring 2023
Sustainability and Energy Efficiency for CRE
Adrian Silver
209 FAYERWEATHER
TU 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
SES B
1.5 Points
12012
A4063‑1 Spring 2023
Points Unknown: Cartographic Narratives
Joshua Begley
WARE LOUNGE
F 11 AM - 1 PM
FULL SEMESTER
3 Points
14552

Introduction to Columbia’s Urban Planning Program

Lectures in Planning Series (LiPS)

Spring 2022 Lectures in Planning Series
Inés Sánchez de Madariaga
March 22, 2022

Student Work

Rio de Janeiro Data Transparency Dashboard
Video produced by as part of the Fall 2021 Urban Analytics and Human-Centered Decision Making course led by André Corrêa d'Almeida.

News

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Dual Degree Programs

M.S. in Urban Planning and Master of Architecture

M.S. in Urban Planning and M.S. in Historic Preservation

M.S. in Urban Planning and M.S. in Real Estate Development

M.S. in Urban Planning and Business

M.S. in Urban Planning and International Affairs

M.S. in Urban Planning and Law

M.S. in Urban Planning and Social Work

M.S. in Urban Planning and Public Health