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A group photo of the GVSU students who volunteered at a community garden downtown for Make A Difference Day.

Sustainable Urban and Regional Planning

Minor (M)

Undergraduate Minor

Allendale • Face to face (?) • 24 Credits

Sustainable urban and regional planning is for those seeking to improve communities and understand/analyze local issues.

Overview

Grand Valley's Sustainable Urban and Regional Planning minor focuses on strategies, best practices, and skills required for sustainable area development, smart and green infrastructure, and integrating social, environmental, and economic priorities in planning. This face-to-face program is designed for undergraduate students at the Allendale Campus.

The coursework covers local and community history, urban and regional environmental planning, transportation planning, GIS for economic and business decision-making, landscape analysis, and land use planning. These topics provide students with practical skills for creating sustainable urban designs and understanding professional practices in planning.

This program offers hands-on experience through place-based and community-engaged projects, helping you master key principles of design and policy and enhancing your workforce profile with a skill-focused credential.

Department of Geography and Sustainable Planning

gvsu.edu/geography
B-4-105 Mackinac Hall, (616) 331-3065
[email protected]

Admissions and Recruitment Office

gvsu.edu/admissions

Career Opportunities

Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.

Top skills
  • Active Listening
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 46,857.74 10%
$ 58,750.92 25%
$ 76,377.18 50%
$ 89,572.34 75%
$103,053.50 90%

Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 44,541.25 10%
$ 58,665.37 25%
$ 76,775.57 50%
$ 97,600.73 75%
$131,100.75 90%

Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.

Top skills
  • Active Listening
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 55,567.35 10%
$ 66,197.03 25%
$ 83,722.99 50%
$104,564.03 75%
$128,720.94 90%

Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 45,309.69 10%
$ 59,862.18 25%
$ 80,405.62 50%
$109,722.30 75%
$150,425.96 90%
"One of the Best Value Colleges in Michigan"
By Direct Parent
25%
Of Students Participate in Research or Experiential Learning with Faculty
1000+
Employers Participate in GVSU Career Events

Understand Planning Terms and Concepts

  • You gain an understanding of planning terms and concepts, which equips you to enter conversations about local planning and zoning, and qualifies you for internships and jobs.
  • You build a strong foundation in the history and theory of planning and a depth of understanding that informs your analyses of local issues.

Valuable Networking Opportunities

  • You can participate in regional and state planning conferences and are exposed to frequent guest speakers, giving you contact with real-world practitioners in the field of planning.
  • You are in contact with a broad community of alumni in planning related fields – people our undergraduates come to know on a first name basis – offering you a ready-made network for job-hunting advice.

Why You Should Consider a Minor at GVSU

Pursuing a minor allows you to gain specialized knowledge and skills in an additional field of interest, enhancing your primary degree and making you more versatile and competitive in the job market. It can also provide personal enrichment and broaden your academic experience.

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Page last modified June 13, 2025