phd in urban and regional planning

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PhD in City + Regional Planning

Berkeley's PhD in City & Regional Planning provides training in urban and planning theory, advanced research, and the practice of planning.

About the Program

Established in 1968, the program has granted more than 160 doctorates. Alums of the program have established national and international reputations as planning educators, social science researchers and theorists, policy makers, and practitioners. Today, the program is served by nearly 20 city and regional planning faculty with expertise in community and economic development, transportation planning, urban design, international development, environmental planning, and global urbanism. With close ties to numerous research centers and initiatives, the program encourages its students to develop specializations within the field of urban studies and planning and to expand their intellectual horizons through training in the related fields of architecture, landscape architecture and environmental planning, civil engineering, anthropology, geography, sociology, public policy, public health, and political science.

Completing a PhD in City & Regional Planning at UC Berkeley usually takes five years. The university requires all doctoral students to fulfill a minimum residency requirement of two years and 48 units of coursework. Full-time students are expected to take four courses, or 12 units, per semester. For the PhD in City & Regional Planning, students must complete various program requirements, including courses in planning and urban theory; research methods courses; and preparation and completion of two fields of specialization. They must also successfully complete an oral qualifying examination, which allows them to advance to candidacy and undertake dissertation research. A PhD is awarded upon completion of a written dissertation approved by the faculty supervisors of the dissertation.

The PhD program encourages its students to build intellectual community and to participate in national and international venues of scholarship. Doctoral candidates regularly present their research at the annual conferences of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, Association of American Geographers, Association of European Schools of Planning, World Planning Schools Congress, Urban Affairs Association, and American Anthropological Association. They organize and participate in a weekly research colloquium and manage the Berkeley Planning Journal , a peer-reviewed academic publication. Such activities utilize the incredible intellectual resources available to doctoral students at UC Berkeley, both within their departments and programs and across the campus.

Financial Aid + Admissions

Admission to the PhD program is highly competitive. Applicants are required to have completed a master's degree in planning or a related field. They are expected to demonstrate capacity for advanced research and to present a compelling research topic as part of their application. Once admitted to the program, students are eligible to compete for various university fellowships, including the Berkeley Fellowship, Cota-Robles Fellowship, and the Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship. Students of the program have also been successful in securing funding for dissertation research from the National Science Foundation, Social Science Research Council, and the Fulbright scholarships.

The Department of City & Regional Planning and UC Berkeley offer multiple types of financial support to its graduate students.

Please note that admission decisions are not made by individual faculty, but rather an admissions committee. Our PhD admissions process begins with three initial reviews of your application: the two faculty members you list as preferred advisors and one member of the PhD admission committee. The admission committee then meets to review all applications as a cohort and make admission/denial decisions. More information can be found on the department admissions page .

Prerequisites

The principal admission requirements to the doctoral program in City & Regional Planning are overall excellence in past academic work and research, demonstrated creativity and intellectual leadership in professional activity, and the strong promise of sustained intellectual achievement, originality, and scholarship. The emphasis in the doctoral program is upon scholarship and research. At the same time, because the doctorate is offered in the context of a professional school, doctoral students are challenged to undertake applied research relevant to city and regional planning and policy problems. If you do not want to teach in planning or a related field, or to do advanced research, please reconsider applying to this program. Most doctoral students enter the program with a master's degree in planning or a related field. The Master of City Planning is regarded as a terminal professional degree, and is not comparable to mid-study Master of Arts or Master of Science degrees offered in anticipation of the doctorate.

Admission to the doctoral program is very competitive. Only six to eight students are admitted each year, sometimes from a pool of as many as 80 applicants. For all applicants to the doctoral program (even those required to take an English-language competency exam (TOEFL, TOEFL CBT, iBT TOEFL, or IELTS) the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional; although prospective students who choose to take the GRE should do so before December to ensure timely receipt of scores. Applicants must also secure at least three letters of recommendation that can explicitly evaluate their intellectual capability and past research and academic work.

Please note that admission decisions are not made by individual faculty, but rather an admissions committee. DCRP's PhD admissions process begins with three initial reviews of your application: the two faculty members you list as preferred advisors and one member of the PhD admission committee. The admission committee then meets to review all applications as a cohort and make admission/denial decisions.

Designated Emphases

Many PhD students choose to pursue one or more of the designated emphases (DEs) offered through programs across campus. These DEs are unrelated to the outside field required by the City & Regional Planning PhD, and can be thought of instead as elective "minors" which provide opportunities for focused interdisciplinary work, mentorship, conference funding, research fellowships and an extra credential along with the doctoral degree. Common DEs pursued by DCRP PhD students include:

• Global Metropolitan Studies (GMS)
• Science and Technology Studies (STS)
• Development Engineering (DevEng)
• Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGS)
• Political Economy
• Film & Media
• Critical Theory

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Doctor of Philosophy in City and Regional Planning

Recent Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) graduates in city and regional planning have gone on to distinguished careers as professors at prestigious institutions; high level positions in the United Nations, the World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank; and top spots in federal agencies and nonprofit research, policy, and cultural organizations.

CRP's program combines intensive Ph.D. seminars and an individualized program of study. Students interested in historic preservation planning may choose to focus their studies on that area. 

Only a small number of Ph.D. students are accepted each year, most of whom have a master's degree in planning. Students design their programs of study after choosing a doctoral committee of three faculty members representing their major (City and Regional Planning) and two minor fields. 

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PhD in Urban and Regional Planning

• UB Directory

The PhD in Urban Planning program at the University at Buffalo provides a dynamic and multidisciplinary academic experience, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and research expertise to tackle complex urban challenges. With a focus on innovation and critical thinking, students engage in rigorous coursework, independent research, and collaborative projects spanning urban design, sustainability, social equity, and economic development. Mentored by renowned faculty, students benefit from cutting-edge facilities and the vibrant community of Buffalo, New York, gaining real-world experience and forging connections in the field. Flexible and tailored to individual interests, the program prepares graduates to lead positive change in urban environments, advancing sustainable development and social justice.

Duration of Study

• 4-yr Program (72 credit hours)

Cost of Study

• Domestic: $5,655 - $12,495
• International: $12,495

*per semester tuition rates and does not include fees

Admissions requirements

• Application fee: $75
• No GRE required

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See our work

• 10/9/17 Planning for the Health and Social Inclusion of LGBT Older Adults

Research and Faculty

Let us answer your questions.

Please fill out the form below and our PhD recruitment team will be happy to answer any questions.

School of City & Regional Planning

College of design.

Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning

Doctoral study in city and regional planning combines research and theory in an applied professional field. We link theory to practice, allowing students to explore the most important issues facing rapidly changing urban areas today.

We build socially, economically, and environmentally resilient communities through interdisciplinary study and research. Our doctoral students consistently graduate to top academic and other professional careers. We welcome your interest and inquiries.

Meet Us to Learn More!

Design your very own Open House experience by selecting the online and on-campus events that align best with your interests, questions, and availability. We have drafted a menu that allows you to engage with program directors, faculty, current students, and alumni, learn interactively about our programs, get insights into the application process and funding opportunities, and get a taste of our lecture series, signature events, and courses. All of our events allow for your unique individual questions to be answered. Click the link below to RSVP.

Extending the Horizon of Planning

Each year, the Ph.D. program seeks applicants with research interests that correspond closely to those of our faculty. Our faculty engage in research and teaching across the diverse spectrum of planning, including economic and community development, housing, land use, environment, transportation, planning theory, collaborative governance, and urban design.

Some of the cutting-edge issues they focus on include climate change, urban analytics, economic resilience, megaregions, disaster planning, and healthy cities. The three to five new Ph.D. students that we admit annually work closely with their faculty advisors to develop a course of study that will extend the horizons of knowledge available in our profession.

Besides their major area of focus in planning, students identify a minor area outside of planning to augment their intellectual foundation. Students are able to take courses in other degree programs at Georgia Tech, as well as at other research universities in Atlanta, including Emory University and Georgia State University.

If you apply to our program, we will want to know what motivates you to make the significant commitment to pursue a Ph.D. in the field of planning, as well as why you see Georgia Tech as an appropriate home to fulfill that commitment.  

Program Requirements

The doctoral program has three main components: the coursework (which includes the program core, a major field, and a minor field); the comprehensive exams; and the dissertation.

The program of study requires two years of residency minimum (no fewer than four semesters enrolled for at least six credit hours each, excluding summer) devoted to coursework and other preparation for advancement to candidacy. Successful students demonstrate mastery in these areas and are prepared to pursue upper-level careers in government, business, research, and academia. Full details can be found in the  Ph.D. Program Handbook .

Coursework involves a specialized program of study designed by the student and faculty focusing on a major field within city and regional planning, and on a minor field outside the College of Design.

Students complete at least 46 credit hours in their major field, minor field, and the Ph.D. program core requirements, and in various elective courses.

Students complete a minimum of 15 semester-hours of study in their major field, a minimum of 9 hours in their minor field, and a minimum of 19 hours in the program core.

Descriptions of courses offered in city and regional planning and other programs in the College of Design can be found in the  Institute’s course catalog .

Major Fields

Upon admission, each Ph.D. student chooses a major area of study. Any change to the major requires review and approval by the Ph.D. faculty.

To meet the major requirement, students must have satisfactory performance (B or better letter grade) in courses composing not fewer than 15 credit hours. The student’s Advisory Committee may require other courses within the College or other units within the University System of Georgia consistent with the student’s expressed interest in her selected field of concentration.

The composition of chosen courses should provide a full background and preparation in both the substance of the field of study, and appropriate methods of inquiry and analysis.

Examples of majors pursued by doctoral students in the School of City and Regional Planning include:

• Urban climate change management
• Built environment and transportation planning
• Equity and social justice planning

Minor Fields

Students choose a minor to demonstrate competence and inquiry in an area of study related to, but outside of, the School of City and Regional Planning.

To meet the minor requirement, students must have satisfactory performance (defined as a B or better letter grade) in courses composing not fewer than 9 credit hours.

Examples of minors outside the School of City and Regional Planning include:

• Regional economics
• Public health
• Water resources management

Program Core

The core course requirement provides students with a basic knowledge of planning theory, regional theory, and research design and methods.

The Ph.D. seminars acquaint students with questions, methods, and paradigms of research and with the modes of scholarship and pedagogy associated with the city and regional planning field.

Requirements include:

• Advanced Planning Theory (three credit hours)
• Advanced Urban and Regional Development Theory (three credit hours)
• Quantitative Research Design and Methods (three credit hours)
• Qualitative Research Design and Methods (three credit hours)
• Ph.D. Foundations Seminar (one credit hour)
• Ph.D. Planning Seminar (one credit hour each year)

Comprehensive Examination

Once students have completed their coursework, with the exception of on-going attendance in Seminar in Advanced Research Design and Methods, they are ready to take the comprehensive examinations.

Students are tested in five areas: the student’s major and minor fields, and three core area exams in planning theory, regional economic theory, and research design and methods. Core comprehensive exams can be waived by earning a letter grade of ‘A’ in a core course.

The examination process includes both written and oral testing of a student’s mastery of the subjects. Upon successful completion, the student moves on to the dissertation phase of the program.

Dissertation

The doctoral dissertation is a written piece of original scholarship that represents a significant new perspective or contribution in the candidate’s chosen field of study. The dissertation must be relevant to the field of planning, and either an addition to the fundamental knowledge base in the field of study or a new and better interpretation of facts already known. It must demonstrate that the candidate possesses powers of original thought, talent for research, understanding of theory and methodology, and ability to organize and present findings.

Admission Details

All application materials are submitted using the Georgia Tech Graduate Studies and Admissions Online System. Applications for admission are due by December 2 . In most cases, students are accepted for and enter the program in the Fall semester. 

Applicants admitted to the PhD Program normally will have completed the requirements for the Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP), or a related Masters degree program. Students from allied fields are also encouraged to apply. In exceptional cases, students with a Bachelors degree only may be accepted directly into the PhD Program but will be required to complete the Masters in City and Regional Planning degree before advancing to candidacy for the PhD degree. PhD students are eligible for an accelerated MCRP curriculum, as outlined in the  Ph.D. Program Handbook

Application materials: 

Application Forms  

Application Fee.

Georgia Tech offers application fee waivers to qualifying applicants. Comprehensive information on whether you qualify for the Institute-sponsored application fee waiver program and how to request one if you do is available  here . The School of City and Regional Planning is additionally offering a limited number of department-sponsored application fee waivers to applicants who do not fall in the  waiver categories described ; If paying the application fee poses an undue financial burden to you and you do not qualify for an Institute-sponsored fee waiver, you may apply to be considered for a SCaRP departmental application fee waiver by completing  this form  before December 1st. 

Three Letters of Recommendation  

Examples of previous research and written works   

Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher learning  

Statement of Purpose

Describe what you have done to prepare yourself for study in a PhD Program.

Why have you chosen to apply to the PhD program in City and Regional Planning at Georgia Institute of Technology?

What area of planning research is of particular interest to you? How might you explore this interest as a doctoral student at Georgia Tech?

Detail your academic and research goals and career plans.

Personal Biography Form  

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores is required for admission of this program, with a minimum score of 150 (Verbal), 150 (Quantitative), and 4.0 (Analytical Writing). GRE waivers could be granted under special circumstances.

Proof of English proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). TOEFL scores of 620/261/102 or higher for the test (paper, computer, and internet tests respectively) are expected. Other evidence of English proficiency, such as provided in writing samples or oral interviews, may also be considered in determining language proficiency. Applicants having completed a Bachelors or Masters degree at a US University are not required to submit TOEFL scores. OR  International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 7.5. For complete outline of the English proficiency requirement and ways to get exemptions from testing, please see https://grad.gatech.edu/english-proficiency  

Cost, Funding and Financial Aid

The SCaRP PhD program typically makes fully funded offers for the first four years of the program. Students receive a  tuition waiver  and  monthly stipend  while working 15-20 hours per week as graduate research assistants, as co-op students with local partners, as TAs or instructors for our graduate and undergraduate offerings. The College of Design 2023-2024 stipend rates are:

• $2,235 working at 15 hours per week
• $2,689 working at 20 hours per week

The institution guidelines for stipends can be found here:  Stipends for Graduate Assistantships | Policy Library .

Recent Doctoral Student Work

Student Work: AeroATL Greenway Path

Xiaofan liang, ph.d..

This dissertation introduces an exploratory framework about network duality, delving into the nuanced yet often contradictory dynamics of urban networks. This framework argues that connectivity is a multifaceted urban phenomenon embedded in network infrastructure that can induce duality, such as connecting one population while excluding the other, exhibiting influence in one system yet causing inequality in another, or co-existing with other infrastructure in some places but not others. Mitigating this duality is important for an inclusive and equitable network society. The critical inquiries are two-fold. First, what types of connectivity are prioritized or supported by urban infrastructure, for whom, at where, and at what cost? Second, what are some strategies (e.g., approaches, toolbox, and practices) that planners can use to mitigate the harmful effects of network infrastructure duality (e.g., exclusion and inequality), especially on marginalized communities?

Towards a Politics of Human Flourishing

Meaghan mcsorley, ph.d..

The purpose of this dissertation is to explore how planners can contribute to human flourishing. In the first chapter, a theoretical framework for community-level thriving is developed. The theory-building work of the first chapter bolsters several streams of planning thought by asserting that

interpersonal skills are themselves a critical method for planners to promote flourishing. The second chapter takes stock of practice around interpersonal skills by analyzing publications from the American Planning Association. Importantly, there appears to be an assumption that planners are gaining interpersonal skills during their education. The final chapter covers an exploratory, mixed methods intervention study to identify creative means of improving interpersonal skills during planning education. Ultimately, this research offers planning practitioners a framework to support community visioning conversation; identifies new pathways for scholarly research around interpersonal skills; and explores novel pedagogical methods to support students in gaining important interpersonal skills.

Student Work: Green Infrastructure

Jessica fisch.

Planners, policymakers, and elected officials increasingly view investments in green infrastructure, parks and other green development as opportunities for spurring economic growth, increasing environmental quality, and providing social and recreational amenities in urban areas. However, research has indicated that these projects do not adequately address equity concerns, such as access for low-income and marginalized groups, housing affordability, and displacement of existing residents. Consequently, green infrastructure projects can lead to ‘environmental gentrification.’

This dissertation work finds that green infrastructure planning may reinforce social capital, which in turn shapes green infrastructure projects and planning processes with regard to addressing housing affordability and community benefits concerns. It further finds that social capital has served as a catalyst for advocacy and the development of organizations, policies, and programs focused on housing affordability and workforce development.

Student Work: Shared Autonomous Vehicles

Wenwen zhang.

We are on the cusp of a new era in mobility given that the enabling technologies for autonomous vehicles (AVs) are almost ready for deployment. This promising technology together with the sharing economy will enable a new travel mode – Shared Autonomous Vehicles (SAVs), a taxi service without drivers.

Recent studies have explored the feasibility, affordability, environmental benefits, and parking demand of the system in hypothetical grid-base cities. Despite these rapidly proliferating studies, it remains unclear how this affordable and environmentally friendly travel mode will influence residential and commercial location choices and potentially transform urban form. How much parking will we need and where will it be located when the SAV system is a popular mode of travel?

In this graphic, we see how the demand for parking fluctuates in response to three pricing scenarios: free parking, a flat rate, and a time-variable rate. The results of this dissertation work suggest the SAV system can reduce over 90% of parking demand for households who participate into the system and give up their private vehicles, potentially freeing substantial acreage of urban land for other critical needs. 

Student Work: Local Environment and Extreme Heat

Jason vargo, 2012.

This dissertation explores interactions between global trends in climate change with local influences tied to urban land covers. First, it examines temperatures during an extended period of extreme heat and asks whether changes in land surface temperatures during a heat wave are consistent in space and time across all land cover types.

Second, the influences of land covers on temperatures are considered for normal and extreme summer weather to find out which characteristics of the built environment most influence temperatures during periods of extreme heat.

Finally, the distribution of extreme heat health risks within cities are described and examined for spatial patterns. As illustrated in this graphic, the physical design of city blocks can yield very different patterns of heat exposure in cities, with direct implications for human health. The results of this dissertation are assisting cities in their development of climate change adaptation plans focused on rising levels of heat exposure.

Meet the Ph.D. Program Director

Elora raymond.

Elora Lee Raymond is an urban planner and Assistant Professor in the School of City and Regional Planning in the College of Design at Georgia Tech. She is interested in the financialization of housing and property in land, displacement and dispossession through housing systems, housing and disasters, housing justice, race, segregation, and the transnational Pacific Islander community.

We know the relationship between a Doctoral Student and their advisor is crucial to getting the most out of their degree. We are here to make the most out of your PhD education. We encourage those interested in the Ph.D. program to reach out to Elora Raymond with questions about pursuing a Ph.D. at Georgia Tech.

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PhD Urban and Regional Planning

The PhD is a research degree. The program’s graduates have gone on to academic positions in the U.S. and abroad, as well as taking research posts with public sector agencies in the U.S. and overseas and in private consulting. Recent graduates can be found across the world working in a variety of research positions with an equally widely varying array of institutions.

Over fifty-five students have received PhDs from the department (see our list of PhD alumni here ), with about fifteen students currently enrolled in the program. Generally students spend two years doing full-time course work before being advanced to candidacy, and an additional two to three years in preparation and defense of a dissertation. The University’s requirements for the PhD. which govern departmental policy are detailed in the Graduate School’s Policies and Procedures . A summary of the department’s requirements are outlined below; details are available in the URPL’s PhD Program Policies and Procedures.

PhD Funding Opportunities

Several opportunities exist for funding doctoral studies in Urban and Regional Planning at the UW–Madison. In addition to funding opportunities through the Graduate School , the Department administers targeting funds for doctoral study. One such opportunity exists specifically for PhD dissertators and provides up to $5,000 for successful applicants. Dissertators in applying for the  URPL Dissertation Excellence Fellowship  should follow guidelines found  here

PhD Reading Lists:

• Preliminary 1
• Preliminary 3

For More information on our PhD program visit our PhD Handbook 

PhD in Urban and Regional Planning and Design Admissions

The highly selective and individualized PhD program in Urban and Regional Planning and Design prioritizes full-time students in admissions. Applicants should submit a complete application through the university system by the deadline, as late applications are not accepted. Before applying, familiarize yourself with faculty research and contact potential dissertation advisors based on shared interests. Admissions and funding decisions are made by a committee, not individual faculty members. We look forward to welcoming you to the University of Maryland’s PhD program!

Learn more about the  PhD in Urban and Regional Planning and Design .

Visit the  graduate school website for General Requirements, Program-Specific Requirements, and Application Deadlines. 

Admission Requirements

Students admitted to the PhD program will be expected to have completed a master's degree in a related field including (but not exclusively) urban planning, architecture, historic preservation, or landscape architecture. Students are expected to enter the PhD program with two semesters of graduate level quantitative research methods. These courses can be taken after entrance to the program and prior to their advanced methods course.

Application Requirements

Apply for the phd in urban and regional planning and design degree through the  graduate application website . use the code "urpd" when prompted..

Application Fee:

• A non-refundable $75 fee per program is required, payable online for submission.
• To find out if you are eligible for an application fee waiver, please visit the  Graduate School website . 

Transcripts :

• Attach unofficial transcripts from all institutions, including University of Maryland. Official transcripts must be sent directly if admitted.

Letters of Recommendation:

• Three letters of recommendation are required from individuals who can speak to the applicant's academic and research capabilities. Letters from professors who have taught the applicant in relevant subjects are recommended, while letters from practitioners and supervisors at work are also acceptable.

Statement of Purpose:

Per the Graduate School, the purpose of the Statement of Purpose is to get to know you as an individual and as a potential graduate student. The admissions committee is interested in your academic, professional, and personal background and goals. In your essay, please address the following points as appropriate:

• Your preparation and motivation for graduate study, including the academic, work, and/or research experiences that prepare you for this graduate program and motivation or passion for graduate study.
• Your research interests, disciplinary subfields, area/s of specialization, and professional objectives.
• Your fit with the graduate program at Maryland, including how your preparation, experiences, and interests match the specific resources and characteristics of the graduate program at UMD. Please identify specific faculty within your desired graduate program with whom you would like to work and how their interests match your own.

The PhD program recommends a 1000-2000 word statement which addresses these points.

Resume or curriculum vitae (CV) :

• A comprehensive CV should be submitted, highlighting academic achievements, relevant work experience, publications, conference presentations, and other scholarly activities.

Writing Samples

• Applicants should provide up to two writing samples (e.g., research paper, article, thesis chapter) that demonstrate their ability to engage with scholarly literature and present coherent arguments.
• Applicants may upload an optional third writing sample. The committee, however, is not required to review this upload. 
• No external links will be reviewed.   

The Fall 2025 deadline for application to the PhD in Urban and Regional Planning and Design is January 10, 20245.

If students would like to apply for the Flagship Fellowship or the President's Fellowship, a complete application must be submitted by December 8, 2024.

Tuition and Fees

For current tuition, fees and other expenses for degrees, please visit the Student Financial Services and Cashiering website. 

Students who have not yet passed their comprehensive exams and advanced to candidacy pay the standard rate for graduate tuition and fees. PhD students who have advanced to candidacy pay flat rates for 899 level candidacy courses and fees

PhD in Urban Design and Planning

The Ph.D. in Urban Design and Planning at the University of Washington is one of 39 Ph.D. programs in urban and regional planning in North America, and one of the oldest, founded in 1967.

This program brings together faculty from disciplines ranging from Architecture to Sociology to focus on the interdisciplinary study of urban problems and interventions. Covering scales from neighborhoods to metropolitan areas, the program addresses interrelationships between the physical environment, the built environment, and the social, economic, and political institutions and processes that shape urban areas. The breadth of this program permits students to pursue doctoral studies in the various aspects of urban design and planning as well as in a number of related social science, natural resource, and engineering areas.

The Program seeks to prepare scholars who can advance the state of research, practice, and education related to the built environment and its relationship to society and nature in metropolitan regions throughout the world. The program provides a strong interdisciplinary educational experience that draws on the resources of the entire University, and on the laboratory provided by the Seattle metropolitan region and the Pacific Northwest. The program emphasizes the educational values of interdisciplinarity, intellectual leadership and integrity, and the social values of equity, democracy and sustainability. It seeks to promote deeper understanding of the ways in which public decisions shape and are shaped by the urban physical, social, economic, and natural environment. The program envisions its graduates becoming leaders in the international community of researchers, practitioners and educators who focus on improving the quality of life and environment in metropolitan regions.

PhD Admissions

Stuart Weitzman School of Design 102 Meyerson Hall 210 South 34th Street Philadelphia, PA 19104

215.898.3425

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Phd in city & regional planning.

• Letter from the Graduate Group Chair
• Program Requirements
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• The City Planning Graduate Group

Welcome to our online source of information for the Doctoral Program in City and Regional Planning in the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design. Here you will find information about our outstanding faculty, their research interests, teaching, and professional activities; the expectations and requirements of the Program; and profiles of our PhD students and graduates.

The University of Pennsylvania is an intellectually stimulating environment in which to study the today’s metropolitan challenges. To develop responses, our PhD students have easy access to a broad, multi-disciplinary faculty and all the resources of a first-rate urban research university.

Penn’s PhD program in City and Regional Planning (CPLN), overseen by the Graduate Group in City and Regional Planning, dates back to the 1950s. Since that time, the faculty have guided more than 330 students though their graduate studies to the completion of the degree and aided them in assuming positions of leadership in both academia and the profession throughout the United States and across the world. For a complete list graduates and their dissertations, see the Doctoral Student Handbook .

General University and Graduate Group policies govern the doctoral degree; see the University's Policies and Procedures , especially the Academic Rules for PhD Programs and the Resources for PhD Students . We expect students to familiarize themselves with the policies very early in their academic careers.

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PhD in Urban and Regional Planning

Faculty Website:    Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment Department:  Department of Town and Regional Planning Programme Level: Postgraduate Programme Name:  PhD in Urban and Regional Planning Programme Code: P6UP0Q

Medium of Facilitation: part-time, Full-Time NQF Level:  10 NQF Credits:  360 SAQA:  96969

Application Start Date : 1 April 2024 Application End Date: 14 March 2025

Campus:  Doornfontein

Contacts: UJ Call Centre 011 559-4555 Email: [email protected]

Duration of Study:  2 Years Full-Time and 5 Years Part-Time

Programme Fees

The purpose of the qualification is to develop an engineering educator with advanced abilities in designing and applying appropriate research methodologies to engineering education related problems. One of the main objectives in this process is to develop an advanced capability to conduct engineering education research of an original nature. It also promotes a lifelong learning approach and an aptitude for training other students in similar fields.

Admission Requirements

An approved master’s degree in engineering or an engineering-related discipline.

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12 Best universities for Urban and Regional planning in Saint Petersburg

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in Saint Petersburg ranked based on their research performance in Urban and Regional planning. A graph of 9.54K citations received by 2.87K academic papers made by 12 universities in Saint Petersburg was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. St. Petersburg State University

For Urban and Regional planning

2. Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University

3. St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering

4. ITMO University

5. Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University

6. St. Petersburg State University of Economics

7. Saint-Petersburg Mining University

8. Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical Academy

9. Saint Petersburg State Electrotechnical University

10. Leningrad State University

11. Russian State Hydrometeorological University

12. St. Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation

Universities for Urban and Regional planning near Saint Petersburg

Environmental Science subfields in Saint Petersburg

Regional Development Planning

Why study regional development planning.

The Ph.D. program in Regional Development Planning provides rigorous academic training for research in planning theory, urban and regional theories, advanced research, and planning practice.  The purpose of the doctoral program is to educate and train the next generation of practitioners, policymakers, and scholars who will bring new research ideas and knowledge to the teaching and practice of urban and regional planning.  The program is served by the School of Planning’s faculty members with wide ranges of expertise.  This program stresses the interdisciplinary analysis and solutions to the regional development problems from inner cities to mega-cities transcending geographic boundaries and requiring spatially-based systems thinking.

All of our current Ph.D. students have completed a Master’s degree in planning or a related discipline. As part of the application process, potential students need to identify a research topic of interest (part of the essay). Full-time students take approximately four courses per semester during their first two years in the program. The School of Planning requires all doctoral students to take nine required courses, including courses in planning and spatial theory, quantitative and qualitative research methods, research design, and dissertation-research-related courses. After passing their comprehensive exam, students typically spend two to four more years completing their individual doctoral research. The School of Planning provides all admitted students with a financial package consisting of tuition scholarships during their two years of coursework. The School of Planning also provides a four-year paid graduate assistantship at the school or assistantships at academic or external research centers. As part of their training, Ph.D. students are also required to teach a course under the supervision of a School of Planning faculty member.

Admission Requirements

Please note that applications will not be reviewed prior to the application deadline.

• UC Graduate Admissions Application and $65 application fee for domestic applicants / $70 USD application fee for international applicants
• Unofficial transcript(s) from all colleges/universities attended showing cumulative GPA that also includes diploma and translation showing completion of a U.S. four-year bachelor's degree (or what is equivalent to a U.S. four-year bachelor’s degree) and diploma and translation of master’s degree if applicable. Note: Official transcripts are not required during the application process; only unofficial transcripts are required for the application. Applicants should not send official transcripts unless they are admitted and confirm enrollment. For complete requirements please visit UC's Official Transcript Submission Policy page . 
• Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, taken in the past five years. Note: The school normally expects successful applicants to exceed the median test scores on the GRE. The GRE requirement cannot be waived.
• Official TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE scores (international students only)
• At least two reference letters should be academic recommendations.
• Resume or CV
• Portfolio (optional)
• Select a piece relevant to admission to the program.
• Summary of your career goals and reasons for pursuing doctoral education.
• Discussion of how your undergraduate/graduate studies have prepared you for doctoral study in regional development.
• Why do you want to do your doctoral research at the University of Cincinnati.
• Proposed area of concentration (e.g., transportation planning, urban design, economic development, environmental planning, community development, etc.). What might be the subject of your doctoral research? Describe in one-two paragraphs your research interests.
• Potential advisor for doctoral studies. To which School of Planning faculty member's work is your research interested related? Explain how your research interest relates to the research activities of the professor.

Most graduates of the School of Planning (SOP) Regional Development Planning (RDP) Ph.D. program find work in academia as an assistant professor in either research or teaching colleges and universities. Recent graduates of the SOP RDP Ph.D. program are teaching in the United States, China, Sweden, and South Africa. Outside of academia, our graduates work in Think Tanks, nongovernmental organizations, and government institutions.

Full admissions requirements can be found on the  Graduate Admissions webpage . 

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all applicants whose native language is not English—including those with F-1 visas or J-1 visas already in the US unless you qualify for an  approved English waiver (for automatic waiver of English language testing, see: https://grad.uc.edu/admissions/criteria/english.html ). The minimum acceptable TOEFL score for School of Planning applicants is 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 80 (internet-based). Please note that the TOEFL is not a pass-fail test. While a score of 80 is the minimum score to be accepted into the School of Planning Ph.D. program, a score of 90 or above is preferred.

The Oral English Proficiency Test (OEPT) tests the language skills of non-native speakers of English who are awarded teaching assistantships at the University of Cincinnati. The required score is 3.0. Students who pass are certified for oral English proficiency and may assume the full range of duties associated with their teaching assistantship. Those who do not pass are recommended for an English as a Second Language (ESL) class appropriate to their needs. Students whose oral English proficiency has not been officially certified may not assume instructional responsibilities. Students who score 26 or above on the speaking section of TOEFL iBT or students with a score of 50 or above on the Test of Spoken English are exempt from OEPT. Each student is permitted to take the OEPT twice without charge during an academic year. The OEPT must be taken prior to teaching, preferably not later than in year two of study. 

• Guide: Regional Development Planning PhD

Application Deadlines

Early Admission

General Admission

The deadline is January 10th for those who wish to be considered for financial support.

Contact Information

Find related programs in the following interest areas:.

• Social Science

Program Code: 23DOC-RDP-PHD

PhD in Urban and Regional Planning

A doctoral degree is offered to students with a master’s degree in planning or a related field. This offers advanced students the opportunity to specialize in one of the sub-fields of planning. PhD students are expected to take a minimum of 21 credit hours beyond the master’s degree, pass a comprehensive exam, and prepare and defend a dissertation. Students without a master’s degree in planning may be required to take additional courses from the MURP curriculum.

The program provides training in advanced research in urban and regional planning. Graduates are expected to pursue academic appointments at institutions of higher education and to achieve higher levels of professional practice in the public and private sectors.

A student pursuing the PhD degree is required to complete at least 21 credits in advanced courses (in addition to any remedial courses designated at the time of admission). The following core courses are required:

• PLAN 602: Advanced Planning Theory
• PLAN 655: Planning Research Methods

In addition to these two core courses, PhD students are required to take nine credits in an allied field (to be selected in consultation with the student’s advisor), a three-credit additional research methods course, and a three-credit research design course. Prior to taking their comprehensive exams, students submit a 6,000-word major field paper. Prior to starting the dissertation, PhD candidates must pass a comprehensive examination in their chosen/described major and minor fields.

For additional PhD program details, please refer to the PhD Guidelines .

First year — Completing basic requirements

• Take PLAN 602.
• Take courses in allied fields.
• Prepare Study Plan with your advisor outlining proposed courses and schedule.
• Prepare draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Second year — MOU, Preparing for comprehensive examination

• Identify three DURP committee members.
• Finalize MOU consisting of (a) a brief statement on the proposed dissertation topic, (b) names and descriptions of major and minor fields and proposed bibliography for the comprehensive exam, and (c) calendar of study, research and writing to completion of the dissertation. Signed agreement on the MOU by all committee members is required by the end of the second year.
• Prepare major field paper.

Second-third year – Completing courses and general/qualifying exam

• Take research design/proposal course
• Complete all course requirements
• Prepare exam reading list for major and minor fields of study and successfully take general/qualifying examination in consultation with Ph.D. committee members. The practice at DURP is that only three committee members will be responsible for setting and assessing the comprehensive exam. Students are free to have more than three committee members on the examination.
• Identify five dissertation committee members, with at least one member from another department or program at UH who will serve as the University Representative.
• Draft complete dissertation research proposal in consultation with committee members.

Third year and after — Advancing to candidacy, field research and completing the Ph.D.

• Present dissertation proposal at a department colloquium. Having already completed all course requirements and successfully passing the comprehensive exam, upon acceptance of the proposal by the committee the student is advanced to candidacy for a Ph.D., also known as ABD (all but dissertation).
• Field research, writing of Ph.D. dissertation, and final defense.

Students are subject to all relevant requirements of the department and the Graduate Division. They must demonstrate sufficient progress in order to advance to candidacy.

Upon completion of the Ph.D., students will be able to:

• Evaluate, synthesize, and conduct independent research relevant to building knowledge in the field of urban and regional planning;
• Demonstrate mastery of rigorous research design and an application of research method within the field of planning; and
• Present, discuss, and defend research findings through effective oral and written communication.

Admission to the PhD program requires a master’s degree in planning. In exceptional circumstances, candidates with either an advanced research background or exceptional professional experience, but who do not have a master’s degree in planning, may be admitted. Admission may be granted with the understanding that some background courses or examinations may be required.

Consideration for admission requires a GPA of at least a 3.5 in previous graduate work. Applicants are also required to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for verbal, math and analytic sections, with a minimum combined score of 300. Non-native speakers of English are also required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS Academic score of 100 iBT and 7.5 respectively. Applicants are also expected to submit evidence of advanced work such as a research report or sole-authored plan.

Admission of non-MURP students

Students without a master’s degree in planning must take either 18 or 24 credits, distributed as follow, with exceptions granted by both the Graduate Chair/Department Chair:

• 18 credits of MURP core requirements (PLAN 600, 601, 603, 620, 640, and 678); and
• 6 credits of MURP planning practicum (PLAN 751) if they lack professional planning experience or have not taken a similar planning practicum.

As is the case with the MURP degree, applicants to the PhD program submit some materials directly to the department and some directly to the Graduate Division. The Graduate Division reviews all graduate study applications and sends those meeting basic criteria to the appropriate academic departments. Once the department receives official documents from the Graduate Division and has received all materials from the applicant, department faculty meet to consider the application.

PhD applicants submit the following directly to the Graduate Division:

• The  Application for Graduate Admission and fee
• One transcript from each post-secondary institution attended.  Applicants may submit unofficial copies of transcripts while applying for admission through the upload website linked below. However, admitted students are required to submit official transcripts in order to enroll at UHM. Official transcripts must be sent to Office of Graduate Education Student Services directly from the issuing institution(s), or in sealed institutional envelopes if submitted with the application.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores and TOEFL scores for those who are non-native speakers of English

The following supplemental materials are to be submitted directly to the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at [email protected] or through the  Graduate Application Supplemental Documents Upload Website.

• Two letters of reference from persons well-acquainted with the applicant’s academic or professional work
• An example of the applicant’s professional work
• Completed  Express Information Form
• Completed  Statement of Objectives
• Completed  Admissions Assessment Form

For a list of application forms and deadlines, please refer to UHM’s Graduate Division page for the Department of Urban and Regional Planning .

Application Deadlines

The deadline for receipt of application materials is  February 1  for admission for the following  fall semester  (GRE scores and letters of recommendation will be accepted after this deadline, but no action will be taken on the application until all relevant application materials have been received).

The admissions committee is responsible for evaluating a student’s objectives, letters of recommendation, GRE, TOEFL, and/or IELTS scores, academic record, and prior experience. The statement of objectives is reviewed especially carefully by the DURP admissions committee to determine alignment of research interests with faculty expertise.

The committee may request additional materials/information from an applicant and/or request an interview. If applicants are in Hawai‘i prior to applying, they are encouraged to schedule a visit and meet members of the faculty with whom they share research interests.

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School of Planning, Design and Construction

Phd concentration in urban and regional planning.

Graduates of the PhD program will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the effects of plans, regulations, design, materials, project management techniques and construction systems on the economic, environmental and social concerns of stakeholders and society.

Those enrolled in this degree develop an advanced knowledge of the history and theory of planning, analytical methods and dissertation research that exemplifies excellence and leadership in the field.

Doctoral students work with their supervisors and committee members to plan a course of study that builds on current strengths and adds expertise in core areas of urban planning.

What Are Core Areas of Study?

The foundation of the degree is contained in two introductory courses and a program of study designed to provide Ph.D. candidates with the expertise needed to undertake successful and rigorous applied research.

What Focus Areas Are Offered?

Students pursuing the PhD define their focus in consultation with faculty, with common areas of interest, including:

• Sustainable and resilient cities.
• Urban transportation planning.
• Housing and real estate development.
• Urban health and food security.
• International development.
• Environmental science and policy.
• Community and economic development.
• Hazard and disaster management, and planning.

What Are Career Opportunities?

• Academic positions.
• Planning departments and agencies.
• State and federal government.
• Housing and real estate firms.

Degree Requirements

The PhD Curriculum culminates in a dissertation that represents state-of-the-art analysis combined with practical applications. This is a 45-credit program that can start in fall or spring semesters.

Degree Requirements and PhD Student Handbook

Download the degree requirements and the PhD Graduate Student Handbook .

How to Apply

Admissions requirements.

This document outlines the details for admission to our PhD programs.

Admission to the PhD program with an urban planning focus requires a prior degree in planning or a related field. We encourage students from various backgrounds and different stages in their professional careers to apply.

We take into account a number of factors, including:

• A personal statement about your interest in the program.
• Prior degrees and grade point averages.
• Letters of recommendation.
• Professional experience.

Contact the PhD Program Director, for academic, research and program-related inquiries.

Director, Planning, Design and Construction Doctorate Program [email protected]

Graduate Program Coordinator

For application, admission and administrative inquiries.

Jordan Kenyon

Graduate Program Coordinator [email protected]

Advisory Faculty for PhD Concentration in Urban and Regional Planning

Assistant Professor, Urban & Regional Planning [email protected]

Associate Professor, Urban & Regional Planning Program [email protected] 517-353-3184

Zenia Kotval, Ph.D., FAICP

Professor and Program Director, Urban & Regional Planning [email protected] 517-353-9362

Zeenat Kotval-Karamchandani, AICP

Associate Professor, Urban & Regional Planning [email protected] 517-353-5460

Jesus J. Lara, Ph.D.

1855 Professor, Urban & Regional Planning [email protected] (517)884-7742

1855 Professor, Urban & Regional Planning [email protected] (517)884-7742

Trish Machemer

Associate Professor, Landscape Architecture Program and Urban & Regional Planning Program [email protected] 517-353-9047

Deyanira Nevarez Martinez

Assistant Professor, Urban and Regional Planning [email protected] 517-432-1148

Laura A. Reese

Professor, Urban & Regional Planning [email protected] 517-353-5942

Mark Wilson

Professor, Urban & Regional Planning [email protected] 517-353-9056

Ph.D. in Planning, Design and Construction

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Ph.D. in Urban Planning

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The Ph.D. in Urban Planning is focused on training individuals for future careers as teachers, researchers, policy-makers, and business entrepreneurs in and near the field of urban planning—in academia, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and think tanks. The program equips students with the theoretical and methodological expertise to address important contemporary issues, such as climate change and adaptation, built environment transformation, immigration and migration, housing and community development, and poverty and inequality. It is a highly competitive doctoral program, accepting only three candidates each year.

We welcome prospective students from a wide range of backgrounds, and value strong abilities for critical thinking and independent research. In reviewing applications, the Ph.D. faculty make decisions collectively, based on students’ academic preparation, topical areas of interest, and experience with analytical. We encourage students to explore various directions of intellectual growth after enrollment.

The Ph.D. in Urban Planning is a program within the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP) while the actual degree is granted by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS).

Admission for 2024

• The application deadline for 2024 admissions was December 14, 2023, and is now closed.
• For additional information on the application process and requirements, please see the GSAS website.
• Hiba Bou Akar
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• Anthony Vanky
• Tom Slater , Program Director

Upon entering the program, each student consults with the program director for the duration of their coursework. The program director’s role is to provide independent guidance and mentorship on all aspects of student life. Students meet at least once each semester with the program director to discuss their academic progress and future plans.

By the date of the comprehensive examination and prior to submitting their dissertation prospectus, each student selects a dissertation advisor (also known as sponsor), to act as a guide during the course of dissertation research and for the dissertation defense. During this or any other time, students are still able to draw on the mentorship of other Ph.D. faculty.

Fall 2024 Courses

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Funding for Your Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning

CLOSE TO $300,000 IN FUNDING SUPPORT PER STUDENT

Taubman College provides full funding to all students admitted to our doctoral programs. We provide four years of funding, which includes a full tuition waiver, health insurance, and a generous stipend package that combines both fellowship funding and a graduate assistantship, as long as you’re making satisfactory progress toward your degree. Funding also includes a stipend for your spring/summer terms. We do not require an additional application for financial aid.

We encourage students to apply for additional external sources of support when available. We also nominate students for University fellowships when they are eligible.

Students who bring external funding with them at the time of admission should specify this funding to the Doctoral Studies Office so that program staff may consult with faculty and construct a coordinated funding package.

For other financial aid, such as loans and grants, contact the  University of Michigan Office of Financial Aid  (734-763-6600). In addition, the  Rackham Fellowships Office  (734-764-8119) has information on fellowships and scholarships from outside agencies.

Students may also be nominated at the time of admission for the  Rackham Merit Fellowship Program (RMF) , which provides an additional 12-months of funding. The RMF is for US citizens, permanent residents or undocumented students with DACA status who are underrepresented, first generation, low-income and/or working to reduce social, educational, or economic disparities. We also encourage all students to apply for funding from independent sources, such as those below, to support their fieldwork and additional semesters.

Rackham Graduate School

Rackham distributes more than $50 million in funding to graduate students each year. About three-fourths of that is allocated to graduate programs to support students’ funding packages. The other roughly 25 percent is distributed through Rackham-administered fellowship and grant competitions. Students can apply directly for some of these awards, while others require a nomination from your graduate program. Visit the  Rackham funding page  for information and application deadlines.

Estimated Cost of Attendance

Tuition and due date information.

Student Financial Services manages student account billing and tuition collection at the University of Michigan. Visit their website to learn more about paying tuition and due dates.

Note : Please check the University of  Michigan Registrar’s Office  website for current tuition figures. The Registrar’s Office is the authoritative source of tuition information for the University.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Academic staff.