Urban Sustainability

The Urban Sustainability major examines the human and environmental dimensions of cities in the United States and around the world. The curriculum incorporates approaches from a range of disciplines including urban planning, environmental policy, economics, political science, and history. The program emphasizes analytic and communication skills, which are valued by a range of employers. The program provides an excellent foundation for students pursuing graduate studies in a range of social science disciplines.

The Urban Sustainability degree blends strengths from the College of the Environment’s specializations in environmental policy and urban planning, while allowing students maximum flexibility to tailor their own course of study. Students can develop specializations or complete a minor. The College of the Environment offers minors in energy policy, sustainable design, sustainability studies and disaster risk reduction. Western offers complimentary minors in international studies, political science, economics, history, business administration and international business.

Do you want to acquire knowledge and skills that promote positive change in the urban environment and learn about creating more livable communities through different disciplinary perspectives? Do you enjoy the challenge of solving complex problems in both natural settings and urban communities? Are you committed towards building a more equitable and sustainable society? Then a major in Urban Sustainability is the major for you.

Students with a degree in urban sustainability may find employment in government, business and the non-profit sector. The program also provides an excellent foundation for graduate programs in urban planning, public administration, political science, environmental studies and other fields.