Transnational Planning Stream
Many academic planning programs in the U.S. assume an arbitrary separation of domestic and international planning issues, where the latter are often covered in a concentration or specialization labeled "international planning" or "international development planning" that is intended to serve a distinct professional career path. In contrast, the Department of Urban and Regional Planning recognizes that even students preparing to practice solely within the United States benefit from exposure to international best practices in various planning subfields as well as an understanding of the implications of growing international linkages among cities and regions. Moreover, those students that are seeking careers specifically in international development planning and related fields are best served by developing expertise within one or more substantive planning concentrations (land use, transportation, community development, economic development, etc.) in addition to knowledge of the international planning field.
DURP's Transnational Planning Stream is therefore not designed as a separate concentration, but rather as a set of courses and learning opportunities supplementing the Department's other concentrations. This is a unique aspect of the curriculum at UIUC: transnational planning education is designed to work with, rather than in lieu of, other planning subfields.
The Transnational Planning Stream seeks to promote critical thinking and analytical skills by focusing on the history of international development planning, globalization as an influence on the growth and development of foreign and domestic cities and regions, the ethics and politics of contemporary development, and international planning theory and practice, as well as by combining classroom learning with field-based experiences via participatory action research, study abroad, research abroad, and internship projects with local and international organizations.
Recommended Courses
| Recommendation |
Number |
Course |
Foundations:
Highly recommended courses (a necessary core) |
UP 423
|
Introduction to International Planning
|
| DURP related electives (students should consider taking at least two) |
UP 428
UP 429
UP 499
UP 521 |
International Planning Development Studio
Professional Seminar in International Planning Development
Seminar in International/Transnational Development Planning
International Environmental Policy Processes & Practices |
Students may also consider electives from among the vast range of offerings on campus. For example, in addition to the course offerings through the area studies centers and programs listed here, the Department of Sociology has a strong transnational studies concentration and an active seminar series and workshop, and faculty in the departments of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, Geography, and Economics regularly offer courses of relevance to transnational planning.
Additional Information
See the Transnational Studies page for information on study abroad options offered by the Department and campus, grant programs supporting language study and study abroad, area studies programs, and seminar series and reading groups on topics related to international and transnational planning.
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