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Urban Studies and Planning Urban Studies and Planning

 

We are a community of planners, designers, and analysts committed to understanding and transforming cities and environments, bridging research with practice. We provide students with tools to understand the politics, economics and culture of human settlements amid a rapidly changing climate and society.

 

 

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News + Events

 

 

Take Me to the Water: Histories of the Black Pacific DUSP Faculty Caroline Collins’ exhibition highlights the lives of Black mariners who helped shape the maritime world across the Pacific, whose stories often go unrecognized. The exhibition will open on Memorial Day weekend. Opens May 23, 2026 at Maritime Museum of San Diego. Image description: Historical photo of Black mariners on a ship. 

UCSD Triton Center Site Tour DUSP students were able to return to UC San Diego's Triton Center development with a site tour hosted by McCarthy. Special thanks to RED Advisory Board member Suzy Cruden, Senior Vice President of Strategy for McCarthy’s Southern Pacific Region, for arranging the tour and to Mitchell Shibley, Senior Project Manager, for leading the tour along with other McCarthy staff. Held on Jan 16, 2026 at UCSD Triton Center. Image description: Students walking in hard hats and orange vests through on-going construction of UCSD Triton Center. 

DUSP Faculty Behram Wali named to National Academies TRB Committee and World's Top 2% Scientists


 

 

 

Snapdragon Stadium Site Tour DUSP partnered with CREW San Diego's UCREW and CREW Careers committees on an engaging site tour and networking mixer at Snapdragon Stadium. Around 75 attendees were able to hear about the stadium's development, tour the site, and connect with CREW members. Special thanks to the CREW committee members and to JD Wicker for leading a great tour. Held on: Feb 5, 2026 at Snapdragon Stadium. Image description: Students sitting in Snapdragon Stadium, listening to a speaker.

 

Climate Reparations for Climate Disasters: A View from Architectural History A public talk with Esra Akcan, Professor of Architecture at Cornell University. Light refreshments will be provided. Thursday, Apr 23, 2026, 11am-2pm at RWAC 0116

 

2026 Urban Expo The Expo is a unique event that brings together students, faculty, staff, and the San Diego community to celebrate the research capstone projects of USP and RED graduating students as well as showcase work from students in DUSP courses. Mar 12, 2026, 4-7:15pm at Price Center West Ballroom

 

 

DUSP Faculty Caroline Collins spotlighted by San Diego ART Matters,"highlighting women working across San Diego’s GLAM community — galleries, libraries, archives, and museums” Image Description: Collins conducting archival research for Take Me to the Water in the Alaska State Archives. Photo credit: Caroline Collins

 

16th Annual NAIOP University Challenge: The NAIOP University Challenge invites student teams from UCSD, USD, and SDSU to participate in a business case study real estate competition on proposed site in San Diego county, judged by a panel of senior level real estate professionals. Wed, Apr 22, 2026, 3-6:30pm in Torrey Pines.

 

Climate Action Day Experience a day of learning, community, and action centered around climate mitigation, adaptation, resilience, and justice. March 6, 2026, 9am-3pm at Sixth College 

 

 

 

What We Do

 

 

Our work stretches across many interdisciplinary practices and methods, such as Community Engagement, Practica, Publications, Media, Research Centers + Hubs, and Student Research. The department engages in research across thematic areas including Justice + Equity, Space + Society, Bridging Borders, and Climate + Sustainability.

 

 

Undergraduate Programs

 

 

We offer undergraduate degrees in Urban Studies + Planning, B.A. and Real Estate + Development, B.S. Our department offers academic and professional support for our students, majors and minors, through Academic Advising and Careers + Internships.

 

 

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