Urban Studies and Planning
Office: 3198 Faculty Administration Building; 313-577-2701; Fax: 313-577-0022
Chairperson: Rayman Mohamed
https://clas.wayne.edu/usp
The field of urban studies explores contemporary cities and urban trends and addressed some of today's most pressing problems. Globally, complex systems of urban settlement house the overwhelming majority of the population and dominate their residents' social, economic, cultural, and intellectual lives. In the U.S., in particular, exploring the development and transformation of metropolitan regions is essential to understanding some of the most significant dynamics affecting the nation. Especially pertinent are the powerful forces of suburbanization, political fragmentation, and residential segregation along lines of race and class that reshaped our society in the latter half of the 20th century. These forces structure the resources, activities, and opportunities that unite and divide Americans. Wayne State's Detroit location offers a powerful vantage point from which students may gain valuable insight these complex dynamics.
The profession of urban planning takes major responsibility for the development of comprehensive plans and programs for local communities as well as larger regional units. These plans visualize future conditions of social, economic, physical and environmental change, and provide an estimate of the community's long-range needs for various facilities and services. Professional urban planners perform a variety of tasks such as developing plans for housing, transportation, rehabilitation of blighted metropolitan areas, and improving the appearance and efficiency of communities. The program seeks to prepare individuals for working with local and state public agencies, nonprofit organizations and for consultants and others in the private sector.
BETTIS, ERIC: Ph.D., University of Michigan; M.U.R.P., University of New Orleans; M.A., University of Hawaii at Manoa; B.A., University of Washington; Assistant Professor
COOPER-MCCANN, PATRICK: Ph.D., M.U.P., B.A., University of Michigan; Assistant Professor
GUINN, ANDREW R.: Ph.D., M.C.R.P., University of North Carolina; B.A., University of Wisconsin; Assistant Professor
HORNER, JEFFREY T.: M.U.P., Wayne State University; B.A., Adrian College; Senior Lecturer
LOH, CAROLYN G.: Ph.D., M.U.P., B.A., University of Michigan; Associate Professor
MOHAMED, RAYMAN: Ph.D., Cornell; M.Sc., University of South Florida; B.Sc., University of Guyana; Professor and Chair
POTHUKUCHI, KAMESHWARI: Ph.D., M.Arch., M.U.P., University of Michigan; B.Arch., University of Bombay; Distinguished Service Professor
Geography
GPH 1100 World Regional Patterns Cr. 4
Satisfies General Education Requirement: Global Learning Inquiry, Social Inquiry, Social Sciences
Concepts and theory in analyzing areal relationships and distinguishing regional patterns of human activity; cultural factors and physical conditions (climate, landforms) as factors in regional delineations; comparisons and contrasts in regional economic development; analysis of concentrations/dispersals of human activity; local, national and regional phenomena in the interpretation of global patterns. Offered Every Term.
GPH 2000 Introduction to Urban Studies Cr. 4
Satisfies General Education Requirement: Diversity Equity Incl Inquiry, Social Inquiry, Social Sciences
In this introductory urban studies course, students learn about the historic and contemporary forces driving urbanization with an emphasis on US cities and urban areas; the effects of these forces on diverse population groups; and challenges facing cities and strategies to resolve them. Although the course will draw from international contexts, wherever possible, experiences of and from the Detroit metro—city and suburbs—will be used to illustrate particular themes. Student learning centers on an examination of issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and broader social phenomena. Offered Every Term.
GPH 2200 Geography of Michigan Cr. 3
The spatial physical, social, environmental, settlement and developmental patterns and problems of the State of Michigan. Offered Intermittently.
GPH 2700 Introduction to Canadian Studies Cr. 3
Satisfies General Education Requirement: Foreign Culture, Global Learning Inquiry
Survey of Canada in its cultural, literary, historical, geographical and political aspects; key concepts and social patterns that define the Canadian experience. Offered Intermittently.
GPH 3130 Introductory Urban Geography Cr. 4
Satisfies General Education Requirement: Global Learning Inquiry, Social Inquiry, Social Sciences
Have you ever wondered why cities are the way they are? Why did humans start to live in cities in the first place? Why did they grow in the ways they did, and how do they function differently in different parts of the world? We explore the social, economic, and physical organization and functioning of cities in the US and all over the globe, aided by guest speakers who are experts on cities in Africa, Asia, and South America. We look at the ways space and place interact with money, power, and human nature to produce the built environment around us. And we explore the experience of living in a city through the lenses of culture, race, class, gender, and sexuality. Offered Yearly.
GPH 3200 Europe Cr. 3
Satisfies General Education Requirement: Social Inquiry, Social Sciences
Analysis of European countries. Emphasis on population changes resource problems, industrial location, urbanization, regional development, and emerging economic and political unities. Offered Intermittently.
GPH 3600 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Cr. 4
Theory and application of computer-based systems for the analysis and representation of spatial data. Offered Yearly.
GPH 3900 Topics in Urban Studies and Geography Cr. 1-4
Special topics focused on Urban Studies and Geography. Offered Every Term.
Equivalent: US 3900
Repeatable for 8 Credits
GPH 3990 Directed Study Cr. 1-3
Readings and research. Offered Every Term.
Repeatable for 9 Credits
GPH 4600 Advanced Geographic Information Systems Cr. 4
Application of GIS to analyses of spatially-referenced data. Offered Yearly.
Prerequisites: GPH 3600 with a minimum grade of D-
Repeatable for 998.99 Credits
GPH 6420 Quantitative Techniques I Cr. 4
Statistical inference with emphasis on applications including central tendency, dispersion, hypothesis testing, correlation and regression. Offered for undergraduate credit only. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.
Equivalent: UP 6320
Urban Planning
UP 3530 Urban and Regional Planning Cr. 3
Introduction to urban and regional planning concepts, including zoning, growth management and economic development. Emphasis on metropolitan Detroit. Offered Yearly.
Prerequisites: US 2000 with a minimum grade of D-
Equivalent: US 3530
UP 4460 Sustainable Cities Cr. 3
Through the lens of the planner’s triangle of Environmental preservation, Equity, and Economic growth—the 3-Es of sustainability—this course explores the ways in which the natural world affects and is affected by both growing and shrinking cities, and how cities may manage growth, shrinkage, or redevelopment to create a more green, just, and prosperous urban future. Offered Fall.
UP 4550 State, Regional and Urban Economic Development: Policy and Administration Cr. 3
This course examines fundamental theories and concepts of economic development, traces how policy thinking about the development process has changed over time, and highlights issues of emerging relevance in the field. In the last four decades, shifting global economic trends (as well as new empirical findings from extensive research across the globe) have posed new challenges to our understanding of how and why regions grow, develop, and change – and what to do about it. In the course, we will use directed readings, policy debates, and case materials to examine how our current thinking about key development problems—such as economic growth, employment, competitiveness, industrial upgrading, skill formation, the organization of work, and institutional arrangements that sustain innovative development processes—has changed in light of the new global challenges. Offered Yearly.
UP 5010 Resources and Communication in Planning Cr. 3
Introduction to the use of basic tools and techniques of professional planning practice, including data resources, computer applications, map and plan preparation, presentation techniques. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Applicant Masters, Candidate Masters, Unranked Grad, Graduate Certificate or Post Bachelor.
UP 5110 Urban Planning Process Cr. 3
Scope and historical development of planning. Topics relevant to the practice of planning: theory, planning practice, social and physical development policy. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Applicant Masters, Candidate Masters, Unranked Grad, Graduate Certificate or Post Bachelor.
UP 5430 Cities and Food Cr. 3
Analysis of urban food systems for their social, economic, health and environmental impacts; discussion of strategies to develop sustainable alternatives. Offered Winter.
UP 5650 Metropolitan Detroit Cr. 3
Comprehensive analysis of metropolitan Detroit: city, suburbs and surrounding region. Historical development, physical foundations, economic and political expansion, ethnic and cultural areas, geopolitical infrastructure, social change, present-day problems and current events shaping the area's spatial structure. Offered Yearly.
UP 5670 Modern American Cities Cr. 3
History of U.S. cities since World War II. Topics include suburbanization, deindustrialization, gentrification, and globalization. Offered Intermittently.
Equivalent: HIS 5670
UP 5820 Urban and Regional Economics Cr. 4
Introduction to the economic foundations of urban problems; land use, housing, poverty, transportation, local public finance; regional industry mix, income, growth and development; the national system of cities and location of firms. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Applicant Masters, Candidate Masters, Unranked Grad, Graduate Certificate or Post Bachelor.
Equivalent: ECO 5800
UP 5999 Special Topics Cr. 1-4
Offered for graduate credit only. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Applicant Masters, Candidate Masters, Unranked Grad, Graduate Certificate or Post Bachelor; enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Repeatable for 8 Credits
UP 6120 Planning Studies and Methods Cr. 4
Economic base, population, and land use studies. Discussion of approaches used to solve selected community development problems. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Applicant Masters, Candidate Masters, Unranked Grad, Graduate Certificate or Post Bachelor.
UP 6260 Land Use Policy and Planning Cr. 3
Role of economics, history, and technology in shaping land use patterns within limits established by public policies and the legal system. Development of conceptual and practical skills for effective ethical intervention in local land markets. Offered for graduate credit only. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Applicant Masters, Candidate Masters, Unranked Grad, Graduate Certificate or Post Bachelor; enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
UP 6310 Real Estate Development Cr. 3
Process of urban real estate development; emphasis on market analysis, the construction process, and finance. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Applicant Masters, Candidate Masters, Unranked Grad, Graduate Certificate or Post Bachelor.
UP 6320 Quantitative Techniques I Cr. 4
Statistical inference with emphasis on applications including central tendency, dispersion, hypothesis testing, correlation and regression. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Applicant Masters, Candidate Masters, Unranked Grad, Graduate Certificate or Post Bachelor.
Equivalent: GPH 6420
UP 6340 Community Development Cr. 3
Overview of contemporary community development practice in U.S. cities with emphasis on community-based approaches and the role of non-profit organizations. Housing and economic development aspects of neighborhood revitalization; social and political development. Offered for graduate credit only. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Applicant Masters, Candidate Masters, Unranked Grad, Graduate Certificate or Post Bachelor; enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
UP 6350 Housing Policy and Programs Cr. 3
Governmental housing policies and programs at the Federal, state and local levels. Role of community-based organizations in housing activities. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Applicant Masters, Candidate Masters, Unranked Grad, Graduate Certificate or Post Bachelor.
UP 6470 Environmental Planning Cr. 3
Overview of local and regional environmental planning and policy. Rationale and ethics of environmental interventions; major elements of environmental plans and impact statements; current approaches to environmental problems. Offered for graduate credit only. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Applicant Masters, Candidate Masters, Unranked Grad, Graduate Certificate or Post Bachelor; enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
UP 6510 Urban and Regional Systems Cr. 3
Theory course dealing with concepts, processes and organization of urban and metropolitan regions, primarily focusing on the western world experience. Primary focus on system structure and change in response to market forces, technology, and public policy. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Applicant Masters, Candidate Masters, Unranked Grad, Graduate Certificate or Post Bachelor.
UP 6520 Transportation Policy and Planning Cr. 3
Introduction to the role of transportation in the planning process involving both regional and urban considerations. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Applicant Masters, Candidate Masters, Unranked Grad, Graduate Certificate or Post Bachelor.
UP 6550 Regional, State, and Urban Economic Development: Policy and Administration Cr. 3
Examination of regional, state, and local economic development theory, analysis, policy and administration. Offered for graduate credit only. Offered Every Other Year.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Applicant Masters, Candidate Masters, Unranked Grad, Graduate Certificate or Post Bachelor; enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
UP 6570 Local Economic Development: Implementation and Finance Cr. 3
Detailed examination of economic development programs available to local governments for commercial revitalization (neighborhood and downtown), and industrial development and redevelopment. Offered for graduate credit only. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Applicant Masters, Candidate Masters, Unranked Grad, Graduate Certificate or Post Bachelor; enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
UP 6650 Planning and Development Law Cr. 3
Techniques available to guide land development. Concepts in zoning, subdivision regulations, timing and sequence of land development. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Applicant Masters, Candidate Masters, Unranked Grad, Graduate Certificate or Post Bachelor.
UP 6680 Neighborhood Decline and Revitalization Cr. 3
Examination of reasons for neighborhood change and how plans and policies can be specified and implemented for neighborhood improvement. Offered for graduate credit only. Offered Every Other Year.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Applicant Masters, Candidate Masters, Unranked Grad, Graduate Certificate or Post Bachelor.
UP 6700 Geographic Information Systems Cr. 4
Principles and applications of GIS, including spatial statistics, computer graphics, computer cartography. Offered for graduate credit only. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Applicant Masters, Candidate Masters, Unranked Grad, Graduate Certificate or Post Bachelor; enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
UP 6750 State and Local Public Finance Cr. 4
Theory and practice of state and local government taxation and expenditure. Attention devoted to State of Michigan and municipalities in Detroit metropolitan area. Topics include: government organization, voting and mobility models, property and sales taxes, user charges, grants, education expenditure, and economic development. Offered Yearly.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Applicant Masters, Candidate Masters, Unranked Grad, Graduate Certificate or Post Bachelor.
Equivalent: ECO 6520
Urban Studies
US 2000 Introduction to Urban Studies Cr. 4
Satisfies General Education Requirement: Diversity Equity Incl Inquiry, Social Inquiry, Social Sciences
In this introductory urban studies course, students learn about the historic and contemporary forces driving urbanization with an emphasis on US cities and urban areas; the effects of these forces on diverse population groups; and challenges facing cities and strategies to resolve them. Although the course will draw from international contexts, wherever possible, experiences of and from the Detroit metro—city and suburbs—will be used to illustrate particular themes. Student learning centers on an examination of issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and broader social phenomena. Offered Every Term.
US 2200 Global Urbanism Cr. 3
Satisfies General Education Requirement: Global Learning Inquiry
The Global Urbanism course draws on directed readings, film and cases studies to illustrate the complexity of urbanity and urbanization in the developing and developed worlds – first through a comparative historical exploration of global urbanization and development, and then through a practical lens that seeks out solutions to broadly experienced problems. The class will use aspects of social science, history and urban planning as a framework for developing both inter-cultural perspectives on global urban development and also nuanced lessons for addressing similar challenges in different places. Offered Yearly.
US 2350 Black Detroit Cr. 3
Satisfies General Education Requirement: Diversity Equity Incl Inquiry
Explores the historical, cultural and structural aspects of the Black urban experience in Detroit from the late 19th Century to the present, including the role that racism, urbanization and suburbanization have played in shaping racial, spatial and economic inequality in the Detroit Metropolitan area. Utilizes an interdisciplinary approach: to interrogate the social and cultural history of Black Detroit, to examine the various forms of Black social movement activism used by Black Detroiters in the 20th Century, and to analyze ways the shifting economic and political currents shaped, and reshaped racism, class, space, and resistance in the Detroit metropolitan area. Offered Fall, Winter.
US 3530 Urban and Regional Planning Cr. 3
Introduction to urban and regional planning concepts, including zoning, growth management and economic development. Emphasis on metropolitan Detroit. Offered Yearly.
Prerequisites: US 2000 with a minimum grade of D-
Equivalent: UP 3530
US 3550 Public Health and the City Cr. 3
Introduces the field of medical geography, or the study of geographic aspects of health and disease. Students will also be introduced to the impact that city life has on health and healthcare in the US and internationally. They will gain an understanding of how geography as a discipline contributes to an understanding of health and health care in urban environments, and how social and economic contexts impact urban health. Mapping techniques will be utilized to examine the spatial patterns of disease and risk factors that may contribute to disease. Offered Yearly.
Equivalent: PH 3550
US 3650 History of Detroit Cr. 3
Satisfies General Education Requirement: Diversity Equity Incl Inquiry
History of Detroit from European contact to the present, with emphasis on the late-19th and 20th centuries. Offered Fall, Winter.
Equivalent: HIS 3650
US 3900 Topics in Urban Studies and Geography Cr. 1-4
Special topics focused on Urban Studies and Geography. Offered Every Term.
Equivalent: GPH 3900
Repeatable for 8 Credits
US 4000 Internship Cr. 1-4
Placement in government agencies or the non-governmental sector that provide working experience related to urban issues. Offered Every Term.
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.
Repeatable for 4 Credits
US 4510 Cities and Regions Cr. 3
Processes of urbanization and metropolitanization in both the western and non-western worlds. Offered Winter.
Prerequisites: US 2000 with a minimum grade of D-, GPH 2000 with a minimum grade of D-, HIS 2000 with a minimum grade of D-, PS 2000 with a minimum grade of D-, or SOC 2000 with a minimum grade of D-
US 4620 Urban Studies Senior Capstone Research Cr. 3
Satisfies General Education Requirement: Writing Intensive Competency
Development and application of research design to specified urban problems. Offered Yearly.
Prerequisites: US 4420 with a minimum grade of D-, GPH 6420 with a minimum grade of D-, CRJ 4860 with a minimum grade of D-, SOC 4200 with a minimum grade of D-, or PS 3600 with a minimum grade of D-
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.