Learn how to become a leader of urban change with one of BU’s City Planning & Urban Affairs programs

Now more than ever, the city planner has the opportunity to address some unique challenges. Apart from the technical, socio-political, and economic considerations that go into making an equitable, resilient, and sustainable city, public health considerations related to climate change—from drought to flooding—and recurring global pandemics such as COVID-19 have further widespread implications. 

Planning for what comes next requires expertise in complex issues and policy areas that include environmental sustainability, land use, housing and community development, infrastructure planning, public finance, transportation planning, and energy, climate, and urban design.

Boston University’s City Planning master’s degree will equip you to:

• Understand and apply knowledge of the history and theory of urban and regional development, the structure and functions of urban systems, local and national policymaking processes, and the role of planning to create sustainable outcomes.
• Explain and assess the economic, environmental, political, social, and equity issues inherent in policy work and planning practice.
• Apply quantitative and qualitative research skills to theory-building, data-gathering and analysis, and planning and policy-making processes.
• Create relevant policy and planning solutions that incorporate the diverse perspectives of various stakeholders, including those of minority and disadvantaged communities.
• Mediate and communicate effectively in public (community) and policy settings.

The Master of Urban Affairs degree program is designed for those seeking to develop a broad understanding of urban public policy, community development and service delivery, and the administration of public and private agencies in urban settings.

The MUA provides the theoretical, analytical, and practical foundations for understanding the complexities of the urban environment.

Boston University’s Urban Affairs master’s degree will equip you to:

• Understand and apply knowledge of the history and theory of urban and regional development, the structure and functions of urban systems, local and national policymaking processes, and the role of planning to create sustainable outcomes.
• Explain and assess the economic, environmental, political, social, and equity issues inherent in policy work and planning practice.
• Apply quantitative and qualitative research skills to theory-building, data-gathering and analysis, and planning and policy-making processes.
• Create relevant policy and planning solutions that incorporate the diverse perspectives of various stakeholders, including those of minority and disadvantaged communities.
• Mediate and communicate effectively in public (community) and policy settings.

The Graduate Certificate in Applied Sustainability provides a unique interdisciplinary perspective on what it takes to make urban and economic development compatible with the natural environment. A recent International Finance Corporation Report from the World Bank estimates that cities in emerging markets alone have the capacity to generate cumulative climate-smart investments to the tune of more than $29.4 trillion.

By 2030, 6 key sectors, including green buildings, public transportation, electric vehicles, waste, water, and renewable energy, will attract a majority of this investment. This strong focus toward green values makes it an opportune time to add to your credentials in the field of sustainability.

Boston University’s Applied Sustainability graduate certificate will equip you to:

• Analyze and assess the economic, environmental, political, social, and equity issues around urban environmental sustainability to prioritize and develop sustainable solutions.
• Lead and work effectively with socially diverse stakeholder groups to evaluate and create sustainable and equitable planning and policy options.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the legal and political dimensions of environmental protection and regulation.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between human and environmental systems and environmental sustainability.
• Incorporate broad resources and use evidence-based approaches to evaluate and create sustainable planning and policy options.

The Graduate Certificate in Urban Policy & Planning provides an in-depth, multidisciplinary perspective on complex 21st century urban issues, including housing and community development, public health, economic and infrastructural management, and environmental sustainability.

The program is ideal for mid-career professionals who seek to advance their careers as urban managers, policy analysts, city planners, researchers, and consultants in the public, private, or nonprofit sectors, as well as students and recent graduates who want to gain an interdisciplinary perspective of how urban systems work.

Boston University’s Urban Policy & Planning graduate certificate will equip you to:

• Understand the history and theory of urban and regional development, the structure and functions of urban systems, local and national policymaking processes, and the role of planning.
• Explain and assess the economic, environmental, political, social, and equity issues inherent in planning theory and practice to develop effective policy for urban development.
• Create strategic policy and planning solutions that incorporate the diverse perspectives of various stakeholder groups, including those of minority and disadvantaged communities.

Professionals in urban planning and policy are immersed in data. As the trend towards evidence-based decision-making continues, government agencies, foundations, nonprofits, and planning firms all recognize the importance of leveraging data to create effective policy decisions and urban plans. However, the ability to analyze large and complex datasets can be challenging for those without specialized training.

Ideal for those who want to examine urban issues using existing and emerging forms of data, the Graduate Certificate in Applied Urban Informatics provides hands-on experience with valuable analytic and computational tools while developing the key skills needed to work with varied data sources that can serve to inform policy decisions in a range of government, nonprofit, and private organizations.

Boston University’s Applied Urban Informatics graduate certificate will equip you to:

• Define and identify urban challenges in the sphere of planning, policy, and operations, particularly related to social, economic, and environmental constraints that influence decision-making.
• Utilize the informatics toolkit to define and address specific challenges and to derive actionable insight from data.
• Analyze the ethical implications of emerging technologies.
• Incorporate data analysis results into urban planning and policy decisions to increase the quality of life for residents and support city government.
• Communicate results clearly and effectively in a medium appropriate to the project, without relying on jargon.

Public health considerations related to climate change—from drought to flooding—and recurring global pandemics such as COVID-19 have widespread implications for the future of cities and their neighborhoods. Preparing to meet these challenges requires knowledge and understanding of issues and policy areas such as environmental sustainability, land use and urban footprints, housing and community development, transportation planning, and energy and climate best practices.

Steeped in the fields of urban public policy, community development and service delivery, and the administration of public and private agencies in urban settings, BU MET’s part-time bachelor’s in Urban Affairs program develops awareness of the political, social, and ethical issues inherent in policy work directed towards urban communities.

Boston University’s Urban Affairs bachelor’s degree will equip you with:

• Knowledge of urban systems, the history of urbanization, and the policy-making process in the United States.
• Awareness of the political, social, and ethical issues inherent in policy work focused on minority or disadvantaged urban communities.
• Competence in written and oral communication.