Concentration

Design and Development / Redevelopment

This concentration includes two tracks: (1) Urban Design and (2) Development/ Redevelopment. Because of the connections between these two topics, many courses are listed in both tracks. Students may choose to combine these two tracks for a custom concentration or focus on one.

Urban Design Track

The Urban Design track focuses on the spatial analysis of urban spaces, the envisioning of their transformations, and the planning and design of healthy, resilient, and equitable communities. Urban design courses equip students with critical thinking skills and design tools to approach design issues and social challenges. For Urban Design students, classes are sequenced to provide them with the fundamental knowledge of urban design, an understanding of time-tested design principles, and best practices of planning and urban design. Non-design students may take any course or set of courses to supplement their academic goals. The curriculum in visual communications and representation enables students to navigate through the complex realm of digital programs. It provides them with a framework for understanding and shaping planning processes through urban design theory, physical planning history, and hands-on practical skill development. Through this framework, students learn traditional drawing and digital drawing techniques in urban design illustration, visualization (Photoshop, VRay), rendering (Sketchbook Pro, Adobe Sketch, Adobe AI), 3D modeling techniques (Rhino 3D, Sketch Up, Arc GIS Urban), and Simulations and Automated Modeling (Grasshopper, AutoCAD) used in successful national and international urban planning projects.

Graphic Communication and Design Representation (34:970:590) and Introduction to Urban Design (970 600) are required first courses for Urban Design students. There are two additional required classes detailed below for a total of four required classes. There are then optional but recommended classes (choices listed below) to complement the design track. Further, for students in this track, a graduate planning studio (two studios are required for the MCRP) in design, redevelopment, or land use is recommended as one of the two studio choices. These studios support practice-based experiences that allow students to develop the confidence to interact with their peers, faculty, clients, and public officials on real-world issues.

Required Courses (take all of these courses)

34:970:590 Graphic Communication & Design Representation (Spring/Fall)
34:970:593 Design Representation & Visualization (S26, otherwise fall only)
34:970:600 Introduction to Urban Design for Planners (fall)
34:970:601 Planning and Design II (spring)

Recommended Courses (The following courses complement the design track. Choose the classes that best achieve your academic goals)

34:970:508 Comprehensive Planning (spring)
34:970:521 Historic Preservation (spring)
34:970:523 Environmental Law and Policy (spring)
34:970:530 International Urbanization and Housing Issues (TBD)
34:970:551 Transportation and Land Use (S24, alt. years)
34:970:552 Transportation and Environment (F25)
34:970:572 Green Building (F25 alt. years)
34:970:602 Zoning for Urban Planning (S25 alt. years)
34:970:604 Land Development Practice (TBD)
34:970:620 Energy Sustainability and Policy (fall 25)
34:970:622 Urban Redevelopment (fall)

Development/Redevelopment Track

A broad understanding of real estate development and redevelopment, including land, building, market and financial analysis, particularly in the United States, is gained through a sequence of courses in development/redevelopment planning and practice; real estate, finance, investment; and development impact analysis. This track meets the needs of students with varying interests, including planning for development/redevelopment, real estate market research and analysis, real estate finance and investment analysis, and relating land use planning and controls to the private development process. It is strongly recommended that students take at least one studio in urban redevelopment, neighborhood revitalization, urban design, housing, or community development.

Required Courses (take all of these courses)

34:970:605 Planning Real Estate Analysis (Fall)
34:970:622 Urban Redevelopment (Fall)

Recommended Courses (choose at least two additional courses for a total of four)

34:970:508 Comprehensive Planning (spring)
34:970:521 Historic Preservation (spring)
34:970:XXX Affordable Housing (S27 alt. years)
34:970:523 Environmental Law and Policy (spring)
34:970:528 Housing Economics and Markets (S25 alt. years)
34:970:529 Principles of Housing (F24)
34:970:551 Transportation and Land Use (S24 alt. years)
34:970:552 Transportation and Environment (F25)
34:970:563 Community Development (fall)
34:970:572 Green Building (F25 alt. years)
34:970:590 Graphical Communication and Design Representation (fall/spring)
34:970:600 Introduction to Urban Design for Planners (fall)
34:970:601 Planning and Design II (spring)
34:970:602 Zoning for Urban Planning (S25 alt. years)
34:970:604 Land Development Practice (TBD)
34:970:620 Energy Sustainability and Policy (F25)
34:833:540 State and Local Public Finance (spring)
34:833:572 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution (TBD)

Recommended Courses in other Programs

Students may substitute for any recommended course, with concentration coordinators’ approval. Students should check courses in these (and other) programs: Cultural Heritage and Preservation Studies (CHAPS) at Rutgers, New Brunswick; real estate program at the Rutgers Business School, Newark and Piscataway).