News & Events
The Department of Urban Studies and Planning is always evolving. From the accomplishments of our students and alumni to the research efforts of faculty, we want to keep the USP community informed. Check back often for information on events and other opportunities.
Upcoming and Recent Events
34th Annual Urban Expo
On Thursday, March 14, 2024, UC San Diego's Urban Studies and Planning Department will host the 34th Annual 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 Urban Studies & Planning and Real Estate & Development graduating students. New for 2024 Urban Expo will also showcase work from additional Urban Studies and Planning Department courses.
Date: Thursday, March 14th, 2024
Location: UC San Diego Price Center West Ballroom
Time: 4-7:15pm
- 4pm Ballroom opens, student work on display
- 5-6:30: Student and class presenters onsite to discuss their work
- 6:30-6:45: Student speaker
- 6:45-7:15: Continued reception
RSVP for the 2024 Urban Expo
- RSVP form for General Attendees such as UCSD Students, Alumni and Presenting Students' Guests
- RSVP form for UCSD Faculty, Staff, & Leadership
- RSVP form for Industry Professionals (including Internship Supervisors)
- RSVP form for Student Presenters
1/17 Tiffany English, Senior Director of Architecture at Qualcomm, to speak at Women in Tech Talk: Empowering Spaces: One Woman’s Impact on the Tech-driven Evolution of Real Estate
Students are invited to an in-person talk with Tiffany English, Senior Director of Architecture at Qualcomm Incorporated, as part of the UC San Diego Women in Tech Talk series. Tiffany will present her talk titled, “Empowering Spaces: One Woman’s Impact on the Tech-driven Evolution of Real Estate.“
- Date: Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Time: 12 – 1:30 p.m. PT - Location: Social Sciences Public Engagement Building, Room 721
1/19 North City Site Tour
Site tour of North City, a 200 acre mixed use development which will include 3400 residential units, 1.1M SF office space, and 345K SF of retail space adjacent to CSU San Marcos developed by Sea Breeze Properties.
Join UC San Diego Real Estate and Development Advisory Board Members Darren Levitt, Vice President, Sea Breeze Properties, and Taal Safdie, Founding Partner, Safdie Rabines Architects, and members of their teams for a project overview presentation with lunch and tour of North City's existing buildings and a project under construction.
1/17 Tiffany English, Senior Director of Architecture at Qualcomm, to speak at Women in Tech Talk: Empowering Spaces: One Woman’s Impact on the Tech-driven Evolution of Real Estate
Students are invited to an in-person talk with Tiffany English, Senior Director of Architecture at Qualcomm Incorporated, as part of the UC San Diego Women in Tech Talk series. Tiffany will present her talk titled, “Empowering Spaces: One Woman’s Impact on the Tech-driven Evolution of Real Estate.“
1/12 Ask Me Anything (AMA) with Jennifer Eller, USP’s Director of Industry Relations and Student Professional Development
Have questions about professional development? Internships? Careers? UCSD? Adulting, finances, or life? Stop by for an open forum Q&A session with Jennifer. Snacks provided.
11/8 Info Session for UCSD Global Seminar Summer 2024: Sustainable Planning, Development and Design in the Netherlands led by USP Dept. Professor Mirle Rabinowitz-Bussell and Professor Sue Peerson
UCSD Global Seminars are 5 week long, summer study abroad experiences led by a UCSD professor. Students enroll in 2 English-taught courses (8 UCSD quarter units) and class sized are between 15-28 students. Global Seminars provide a unique way to earn credit for your major, minor, GEs, or college requirements, all while exploring a new country and culture. Open to ALL majors.
The Netherlands is a leader in numerous dimensions of sustainable planning, development and design including innovations in multi-modal transportation, adaptive reuse, landscape architecture and urban design, alternative energy sources, green infrastructure, affordable housing, and strategies to combat sea-level rise. You will have the opportunity to visit and study examples from across the Netherlands from our home base in Amsterdam and excursions to the nearby cities of Utrecht and Rotterdam.
This program would be valuable for any student interested in architecture, urban planning, design, visual and/or fine arts, and history. It would be particularly useful for students interested in working on projects that can be added to their professional portfolio. More info.
Info Session: Wednesday, November 8 from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. via Zoom.
10/30 Real Estate & Development Guest Speaker Morgan Hampel
Real Estate & Development Guest Speaker events are an opportunity to hear from a professional about their career trajectory, advice for students exploring career options, and ask them questions. Light snacks will be provided.
Monday, October 30 1-2pm, Social Science Public Engagement Building USP Studio (RWAC 0104)
Link to more info and Morgan's bio.
10/27 Real Estate & Development Advisory Board Office Hour with Midori Wong, Senior Development Manager, Vice President, Lendlease & USP Alum
Real Estate & Development Advisory Board Office Hours are an opportunity to hear from one of the RED Advisory Board members about their career trajectory, advice for students exploring career options, and ask them questions. Light snacks will be provided.
Friday, October 27 11:30am-12:30pm, Social Science Public Engagement Building USP Studio (RWAC 0104)
Link to more info and Midori's bio.
10/26 Real Estate & Development Advisory Board Student Mixer
Join members from the UCSD Real Estate & Development Advisory Board and fellow RED/USP students for an hour of socializing and networking.
Learn more about Advisory Board members here. Board members represent a variety of sectors and companies within the real estate field including real estate development (life science, residential, mixed-use, commercial, affordable housing, education), architecture, FinTech, brokerage, real estate finance and investment, real estate law, market analysis, and more.
Thursday October 26th 5-6pm, UCSD Climate Action Lab
Light appetizers will be served. Open to declared RED/USP majors and minors only. Business casual attire recommended. Questions? Email Jennifer Eller at jmeller@ucsd.edu
10/25 USP-Bauhaus Semester Exchange Info Session
The USP Department has a strategic partnership with Bauhaus University in Weimar, Germany, one of the preeminent schools of planning and design in the world. As part of the strategic partnership, we have the opportunity to send several students (USP and/or RED majors) to study for a semester in Weimar, Germany during either the Bauhaus Fall Semester from September 2024 – February 2025 or the Bauhaus Summer Semester from April – July 2025. USP has one of the only undergraduate department-to-department study abroad programs in the UC system. The program has complete tuition reciprocity (you will pay your UC San Diego tuition and study at Bauhaus). All courses are approved for UC San Diego credit and all can be applied to the requirements for the USP major and minor. USP Seniors may complete their senior sequence requirement at Bauhaus. Some of the courses can also be applied to the RED major. Rising sophomores and juniors are strongly encouraged to apply. More info including application and deadlines.
10/23 Portfolio Workshop with Prof. Sue Peerson hosted by Young Planners Society
Are you in the process of applying to jobs? Grad school? Internships? Then come to YPS’ Portfolio Workshop on Monday 10/23 from 12-2pm in the USP Studio (RWAC 0104), presented by Professor Sue Peerson, who lectures the department’s design courses. Open to all majors! Free snacks! RSVP link.
10/16 Professional Association Panel
Learn about professional associations including events and conferences, networking opportunities, scholarships, free/discounted student memberships, and mentoring programs. Hear from:
- Building Industry Association BIA
- Association of Environmental Professionals AEP
- American Planning Association APA
- Women in Commercial Real Estate CREW
- NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association
- Urban Land Institute ULI
- Building Owners and Managers Association BOMA
10/13 Site Tour of 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive
Join the USP Department and TREO for a site tour of 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive on Friday 10/13 from 12-1:30pm
The project at 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive is a public private partnership (P3) project located on University of California land, and designed and constructed by a private developer. The project is planned as a new, state-of-the-art facility that will house several programs from UC San Diego Health/ School of Medicine, and UC San Diego Extension serving students, patients and the larger community. It will include approximately 110,000 square feet of office and educational space, a ground-floor café accessible to the public and approximately 275 parking spaces.
Jeff Graham, UCSD’s Executive Director of Real Estate, will be on the tour to discuss the project vision and drivers, the unique P3 economic and partnership structure between UC and the developer, and the entitlements. In attendance will be representatives from UCSD’s Campus Real Estate, the developer (GPI), the architect (Gensler), and the general contractor (Swinerton).
10/9 USP Department Fall 2023 Mixer
USP Faculty, Students, and Staff are invited to mix and mingle and enjoy free food and refreshments at the department’s Fall 2023 mixer.
- Free food!
- Meet other USP and RED majors and minors!
- Meet USP Department faculty and staff!
- Win prizes!
- Monday 10/9 11:30am-1:30pm at Dirty Bird’s back patio (Price Center)
Note: This event is open to declared current USP & RED majors & minors.
10/5 Launch of USP Assistant Professor Abigail Andrews collective book about migrants' experiences with deportation
Join USP Associate Professor Abigail Andrews and her students on Thursday, October 5th from 5:30 - 7:00pm for the launch of her new collective book, Banished Men: How Migrants Endure the Violence of Deportation, published in collaboration with UCSD students and alumni. The group will discuss their experience working as a team of 30+ students in Tijuana and their findings on the devastating impacts of deportation, detention, and incarceration. RSVP link.
10/4 USP Department Student Organizations Meet & Greet Open House
Learn more about these student organizations and how you can get involved!
- Architecture@UCSD
- Student Representatives
- Triton Real Estate Organization (TREO)
- Urban Changemakers
- Young Planners Society (YPS)
Wednesday 10/4 11:30am-12:30pm, USP Studio (RWAC 0104)
9/27 USP Department New Student Orientation and Meet & Greet
This orientation is geared towards all new incoming USP and RED majors. This part two of orientation assumes incoming students have already completed their online USP department orientation in Canvas. It will consist of a presentation, Q&A session, and meet & greet with faculty, staff, and student org leaders. RSVP in advance.
7/13 Triton Real Estate Alumni Assoc. Social
The Triton Real Estate Alumni Association is hosting a social at Harland Brewing Del Mar on Thursday, July 13th. Please join us to reconnect with and meet new fellow UC San Diego alumni working in real estate! We would also like to congratulate and welcome recent Triton graduates!
RSVP link: bit.ly/TREAAJULY13
The Triton Real Estate Alumni Association's mission is to create a space for UC San Diego alumni who work in the real estate industry to connect with fellow alumni. We will periodically hold in-person events, the details of which will be posted via the TREAA LinkedIn page which you are encouraged to follow. The organization is run by UCSD alumni who volunteer their time to create this intentional community.
- Want to receive email notifications regarding TREAA events? Sign up using this form.
- Do you have an interesting article, opinion, or real estate venture you would like to share with fellow UC San Diego Real Estate Alumni? Visit the TREAA LinkedIn Group, a forum for alumni to begin real estate discourse.
- Interested in volunteering for TREAA? Email Jonathan Chan jjc127@ucsd.edu.
7/10 Summer Resume & Internship/Job Search Workshop
Online workshop to be held via Zoom on Monday, July 10th 11am-1pm presented by USP’s Director of Industry Relations and Student Professional Development Jennifer Eller. This workshop is offered once per quarter.
6/3 Young Planners Society Affordable Housing Tour
Join YPS and Professor Mirle Bussell on a guided tour of San Diego’s affordable housing developments.
Saturday, June 3rd 9am-2pm
As the lecturer for USP 142: Homelessness in San Diego and a researcher at the Homelessness Hub, Professor Bussell is the person to speak with if you have any questions about affordable housing or just want to learn more about policies surrounding it.
5/25 Wise Elder Changemaker Awards and Panel
The “Wise Elder” Changemaker Award celebrates the life work and current accomplishments of exceptional San Diegans who are 65 years or older. The UCSD Life Course Scholars program welcomes nominations of individuals who have had a significant impact on people, land, communities, and movements for justice, equity, sustainability, health, healing, and inclusion across our region. Their change-making work may be through the arts, advocacy, activism, organizing, cultivation, care and repair, bridge-building, paradigm-shifting, community healing, wisdom-sharing, and (re)connection with cultural traditions and the living world around us.
5/20 Block Party at Ocean View Growing Grounds
All-ages, All-welcome Festival aimed at building community climate resilience through bringing people together to have fun, play games, eat, learn, converse, and enjoy the beautiful setting together at Ocean View Growing Grounds in the Mountain View Neighborhood in southeast San Diego.
This event is a collaboration between the UCSD Climate Justice/Action/Resilience Scholars Program and the Youth Environmental Justice Advocates Academy run by the Global Action Research Center.
Learn more here: https://ucsdclimatejusticescholars.weebly.com
5/19 Triton Alumni Career Chat with RED Alum Jonathan Chan of London Moeder Advisors
Alumni Career Chats are an opportunity to hear from a Triton alum about their career trajectory, advice for students exploring career options, and ask them questions. Light snacks will be provided.
Friday, May 19th 2-3PM, Social Science Public Engagement Building USP Studio (RWAC 0104)
5/19 Young Planners Sociaty Speaker Series: San Diego Councilmember Kent Lee
Interested in working in the public sector, policy-making, community outreach, or advocacy? Come chat with Councilmember Kent Lee, who represents the University City, Mira Mesa, and Convoy areas of San Diego City.
Friday 5/19 1-2pm RWAC Social Sciences Public Engagement Building 4th Floor Conference Room
5/18 Community Engaged Research Panel
Join community advocates and academic scholars as they share their experiences undertaking collaborative, community engaged research. This event is specifically promoting best practices and getting started with community-based research. All are invited who are interested. We are especially interested in early career scholars including students.
5/18 Regional Regional Real Estate Alumni Event
We are excited to bring back this annual tradition of gathering real estate alumni from SDSU, UCSD, and USD for an evening of building relationships.
When: Thursday May 18th 5-7pm
Where: Cushman & Wakefield's One Paseo Office (12830 El Camino Real, Suite 100, San DIego, 92130)
Light refreshments will be provided.
5/12 Triton Alumni Career Chat with UCSD Alum Jamal Russell Black
Meet & Chat with a UCSD Alum working on viable solutions to the climate crisis that incorporate the tenets of environmental justice and closing the equity gap.
Friday, May 12th Noon-1PM, Social Science Public Engagement Building 4th Floor Conference Room
5/4 Triton Real Estate Org Guest Speaker: PGIM Real Estate Executive Director Stephen Shaw
Join TREO on Thursday, 5/4, for a guest speaker event! Stephen Shaw is an Executive Director with PGIM Real Estate. In this role, he is responsible for originating loans for the company’s general account, agency, and bridge/high-yield products in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland.
5/10 USP Department Student Town Hall
The USP Department would like to hear your feedback and comments about the USP and RED programs and student experience in the USP Department. Come share your comments with faculty and staff. There will also be time for students to share feedback with USP Student Reps without faculty and staff present. Pizza lunch provided.
5/4 Annual NAIOP University Challenge
Student teams from UCSD, SDSU, and USD will compete head-to-head in a real estate competition on the highest and best use for the proposed redevelopment. Potential issues to be addressed may include financing, transit-oriented issues, sustainable development, traffic patterns, community impact, and feasibility.
You’re invited to witness the innovation, the inspiration, and the suspense of the number one head-to-head challenge in the nation. Come see the next generation of Real Estate leaders show us what they can do!
4/26 Global South Faculty Roundtable
International House and Global South Studies are hosting a Global South Faculty Roundtable with faculty hosts Dr. Kelema Lee Moses and Dr. Matilde Córdoba Azcárate to have a conversation about the stories, concerns, and issues of Global South communities, and learn about their experiences in global research.
Wednesday, April 26th from 5:00pm-6:30pm at the UCSD Faculty Club
4/17 Connecting Paradise Screening, Panel Discussion, & Networking Mixer
Join us for a screening of the film Connecting Paradise and panel discussion featuring Brian Mooney, Diego Velasco, William Anderson, and Howard Blackson followed by a networking mixer.
Connecting Paradise explores San Diego’s historic visions by examining public planning strategies beginning in 1908 through today’s ambitious plans for the 21st Century. The film explores the issues of leadership and diversity and the role they played on San Diego’s development.
Hosted by UCSD Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, San Diego American Planning Association’s Young and Emerging Planners (YEP) Committee, and the Urban Land Institute San Diego/Tijuana.
4/13 Real Estate Convening
The real estate student Organizations of UCSD (Triton Real Estate Organization), SDSU (Real Estate Society), and USD (USD Real Estate Society) are pleased to host a regional professional development and networking event on Thursday, April 13th from 5-7:00 PM at Snapdragon Stadium.
This is aimed at all Real Estate professionals, recent alumni, and current students of all three universities. Light refreshments and food will be provided. Free for students.
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