Program overview
Urban and Rural Planning, simply put, is about studying how to make cities and villages more livable, efficient, and sustainable. You might think it's a 'drawing' major, but it actually integrates knowledge from geography, economics, sociology, ecology, architecture, and engineering. Core courses include Urban Planning Principles, Urban Design, Regional Planning, Transportation Planning, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Urban Economics, Environmental Planning, and more. You'll learn how to analyze urban problems, develop spatial solutions, evaluate policy impacts, and conduct plenty of fieldwork and team projects. It's ideal for those curious about urban development, enjoy solving complex problems, and have both logical thinking and creativity. Chinese universities have a unique edge in this field because China is in a phase of rapid urbanization, with many cities facing challenges like renewal, ecological restoration, and smart cities. Courses and projects often directly engage with real-world cases, such as the Xiong'an New Area planning or old neighborhood renovations, giving you exposure to cutting-edge practices.