Skip to main content

2022-2023 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

Search Help

Sustainable Urban and Regional Planning Minor

The sustainable urban and regional planning minor is housed within the department of Geography and Sustainable Planning (gvsu.edu/geography) and focuses on optimal and sustainable land use and development in urban, suburban, and rural areas in 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, demonstrating 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; and
  • connect 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 career advice.

Concepts and skills in sustainable urban planning are applicable to a variety of specialties:

  • Sustainable urban and regional planning
  • Land-use planning
  • Urban development and housing
  • Transportation planning
  • Environmental planning
  • Environmental policy and planning law

Requirements

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 two separate groupings. Group one consists of a nine-credit-hour core: GPY 111, GPY/PNH 209 and GPY 314/PNH 313. Group two consists of 15 hours or five courses. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor to optimize course selection.

Group One

Group Two

Select five courses or 15 credit hours

Geography and Sustainable Planning Program Description

Click here for the program description.



If you are in need of assistance please submit any questions or comments.