Urban Studies and Planning

Minor

Understand the needs of a city and its community. See how urban planning can help improve how people live with a minor in urban studies and planning.

Why Minor in Urban Studies and Planning?

Become a more informed community member with a minor in urban studies and planning. You'll learn how to create safe and healthy communities. You'll also learn about obstacles such as a need for housing and sustainability.

The minor complements many social science majors. It is also useful if you are studying business and engineering. With this minor, you'll stand out when searching for careers related to cities or urban populations.

Why Study Urban Studies and Planning at CSUN?

CSUN has been ranked the second best college for urban studies by Great Value Colleges. We were selected not only for our affordability but our courses on research methods, planning theory, community-based urban design and more. By studying at CSUN, you will receive a top-notch education at a great price.

Location, Location, Location

Our urban studies program will help you make connections between your daily experiences and urban life. You'll investigate a range of urban problems and effective solutions from around Southern California. You'll explore the city to study housing, transportation, environmental conditions and more.

Community-focused Faculty

The key to our successful program is our faculty. Our professors remain at the top of their field through research and publication. In addition, they are at the forefront of community outreach and university service. They contribute to urban planning projects throughout Southern California. You'll see how they are actively involved in improving the world and be inspired to join them in serving our community.

What You'll Learn

As an Urban Studies and Planning minor, you will examine the challenges of modern urban life. You will look for solutions to problems such as lack of housing and green space. You will learn government regulations and how to seek input from community members.

For your minor, you will complete required courses and choose your own electives. In your required classes, you will take courses such as:

  • Discover the City
  • Growth and Sustainable Development of Cities

In your elective courses, you can choose from a variety of topics including:

  • Quantitative and qualitative urban research methods
  • Planning for the natural and built environment
  • The California Environmental Quality Act
  • Urban housing
  • Social policy, environmental justice and the city
  • Planning in the public sector
  • Planning for community development
  • Legal foundations of planning
  • Urban transportation

Curriculum

CSUN urban planning students reviewing maps in an archive

Planning for the CSUN community.

Every year the Urban Planning Students of Northridge (UPSN) designs and implements an urban planning project at CSUN. The association embodies principles such as equity, sustainability and community development. Join us to find new friends, networking opportunities and more.

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