2016-2017 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Sustainable Urban and Regional Planning Minor
The Sustainable Urban and Regional Planning minor is housed within the department of Geography and Sustainable Planning (www.gvsu.edu/geography) and focuses on optimal and sustainable land use and development in urban, suburban, and rural areas in the the U.S. and worldwide. Planners create better living environments for all by designing smart and integrated land use systems. Our graduates find employment in public, private, and governmental institutions.
Reasons to Study Sustainable Urban and Regional Planning
The minor is a valuable addition to a student's transcript that points to their concentration in the planning field.
Sustainable urban and regional planning students:
- Gain an understanding of planning terms and concepts, which equips them to enter conversations about local planning and zoning, and qualifies them for internships and jobs.
- Build a strong foundation in the history and theory of planning and a depth of understanding that informs their analyses of local issues.
- Participate in regional and state planning conferences and are exposed to frequent guest speakers, giving them contact with real-world practitioners in the field of planning.
- 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 our graduates a ready-made network for job-hunting advice.
Concepts and skills in sustainable urban planning are applicable to a variety of specialties that include:
- Sustainable urban and regional planning
- Land-use planning
- Urban development and housing
- Transportation planning
- Environmental planning
- Environmental policy and planning law
Requirements for a Minor in Urban and Regional Planning
Students who minor in sustainable urban and regional planning are required to complete a minimum of 24 credit hours from the courses that follow. These 24 hours or eight courses are to be completed in three separate groupings. Group one consists of a six-credit-hour core: GPY 309 and GPY 310. Groups two and three consists of nine hours each. Select nine hours or three courses from groups two and three. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor to optimize course selection.
Group One:
- GPY/ PA 209 - Introduction to Urban and Regional Planning (3 credits)
- GPY/ PA 313 - Land Use Planning (3 credits)
Group Two: select three out of five
- GPY/ PA/ ENS 312 - Urban and Regional Environmental Planning (3 credits)
- GPY/ PA 314 - Land Use and Planning Law (3 credits)
- GPY/ PA 316 - Introduction to Transportation Planning (3 credits)
- GPY/ MKT/ PA 365 - GIS for Economic and Business Decision Making (3 credits)
- GPY 308/ PA 307 - Local Politics and Administration (3 credits)
Group Three: select three out of five
- GPY 307 - Introduction to Computer Mapping/Geographic Information Systems (0 or 3 credits)
- GPY/ PA 324 - Urbanization (3 credits)
- GPY/ ECO/ PA 385 - GIS in Urban and Regional Analysis (3 credits)
- GPY/ ENS/ PA 410 - Landscape Analysis (3 credits)
- PA 495 - Community Analysis (Capstone) (3 credits)