Geography: Urban and Community Planning
Major
Overview of geography: urban and community planning
Learn how to create and support sustainable communities by studying urban and community planning within your geography major. Urban planning means looking at physical, social and economic factors as you design and support cities. You’ll study strategies for improving the economy, environment and people's lives by shaping the cities they live in. With experience handling industry-leading software and taking the lead in your senior capstone, you'll be well-prepared to kickstart your career in urban and community planning.
AT A GLANCE
Why choose geography: urban and community planning?
The way we interact with our land and resources impacts every person on earth. As global resources dwindle, we can learn valuable lessons from the environments we shape. You can lead the way to change with new solutions as an expert in urban planning jobs. You'll learn to help address issues that affect our world today. Your studies of topics like population growth and city improvement efforts could impact millions.
Our urban planning degree provides a thorough look at both physical and human geography. It starts with the natural features of the Earth, like the atmosphere, water, land and living things, as well as climate and plant life. It then looks at human geography, which includes population, economies, politics and city development.
You'll learn to use today’s most advanced geospatial tools, like remote sensing and geographic information systems. You'll also become familiar with today's most advanced geospatial tools. You'll study geographic information science (GIS), and learn how to analyze and understand spatial data using advanced mapping tools. This is key for becoming planning professionals, community leaders and engaged citizens to promote sustainable communities.
Highlights of our urban planning degree
- Gain hands-on experience: Dive into the CMU Center for Geographic Information Science and learn to use our state-of-the-art virtual computing labs, equipped with industry-leading software.
- Join a tight-knit group: Take part in small classes, exciting field trips and the chance to gain research experience with faculty.
- Grow your network: Gain professional development and network through many Central Sustainability opportunities for students.
- Promote your skills: Complete a senior capstone course that prepares you for the first step of your career. Résumé workshops, portfolio development and a final project will help you show off your skills to future employers.
Urban planning jobs and other geography careers
With our geography degree, you'll have highly marketable skills and will find many urban planning jobs and career opportunities — geospatial intelligence analyst, geographic information science analyst, cartographer, resource manager, environmental consultant, climatologist and more!
| Career | Projected Salary |
|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planner | $81,800 |
| Cartographer | $76,210 |
| Policy Analyst | $82,397 |
| GIS Analyst | $78,594 |
Geography and Environmental Studies Club
Members of the Geography and Environmental Studies Club form study groups, fundraise for trips, engage in community service and share a commitment to understanding the world we live in.
One of the original members of the Geography and Environmental Studies club, Mike Visscher, went on to become an environmental consultant at a civil engineering consulting firm. Read more about his story here!
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