Planning for Developing Areas
The Planning for Developing Areas specialization prepares students for the challenges of guiding economic and social development in the context of increasing globalization, commonly defined as the increasing interconnectedness of people, places, and institutions worldwide. Development planners work in urban and rural developing areas around the world. For example, they may facilitate community participation in development projects, work to strengthen the capacities of non-governmental organizations to deliver services and mobilize resources, implement the decentralization of government services to medium and small towns, help shape donor policies and practices in the area of gender and development, or design sustainable development strategies at the international, national, regional, or local levels.
Coursework in the specialization is tailored to build the capacity of each student to investigate various development situations and to identify critical opportunities to influence the development process. Courses address cross-cutting issues such as globalization, democratization, gender and development, and sustainable development. They provide students with an understanding of the legal and institutional context within which planners operate and of sector-specific issues and strategies. The latter include regional economic development, microenterprise development, housing and infrastructure, capacity-building particularly among non-governmental organizations, and the role and impact of population growth and distribution. Students also develop skills in the preparation of development plans, in the design, management and implementation of development projects, and in participatory planning and research.
Coursework
The specialization consists of two required and two elective courses. The required courses are:
- URP 5610: Introduction to Development Planning
- URP 5616: Project Planning in Developing Countries
Two elective courses should be chosen from the following list:
- URP 5526 Healthy Cities, Healthy Communities
- URP 5541 Gender and Development
- URP 5615 Housing and Infrastructure
- URP 5424 Sustainable Development
- URP 5504: Community Involvement and Citizen Participation
- URP 5939 Gender and the City
Courses which may be used as electives with permission of the advisor include:
- ECO 5005 Economic Principles for International Affairs
- GEO 5555 World Systems Theory
- GEO 5358 Environmental Conflict and Economic Development
- GEO 5934 Globalization
- PAD 5935 International Comparative Management
- SYD 5046 International Population Dynamics
Concentrations
Students are encouraged to select a concentration in a particular issue area of development. Concentrations can be in one of the other Department specializations (such as Environmental Planning and Natural Resource Management or Housing and Community Development) or can consist of two thematically selected courses from the list of electives, plus two additional related electives from within, or outside the Department. Examples of appropriate concentrations include national development, development administration and finance, and others. Students should consult with an advisor from the specialization for the coursework appropriate to different concentrations.
Master's International Program
Students specializing in development planning may coordinate their studies with a two-year service in the Peace Corps through the Master's International Program.