Areas of research specialization

An opportunity for in-depth exploration in an area of urban affairs and public policy

Incoming Ph.D. students have three areas of research specialization from which to choose. After completing the first year of coursework and passing the qualifying exams, PhD students begin to focus their studies on one of these three specializations. This specialization will be instrumental in determining an appropriate advisor, research assistantship, course selection, and dissertation topic.

Governance, Planning and Management

Governance, Planning and Management focuses on public decision-making, planning, and management of development and resources within communities. Attention is directed to issues of democratic participation in decision-making, equity, adequacy, and efficiency in the production and allocation of public goods and services, and the maintenance of a viable physical environment. Instruction and research encompass international, national and subnational dimensions and their interrelationships.

Topics in Governance, Planning and Management include:

  • Government structure and the allocation and management of public goods and services
  • Interrelationships between public, private and nonprofit sectors
  • Urban land use, housing and suburbanization issues
  • Historic preservation
  • Social and spatial impacts of telecommunications and information technology
  • Urban and regional planning

See the full Governance, Planning and Management curriculum.

Social and Urban Policy

Social and Urban Policy focuses on the content and impact of public policies that seek to alleviate social and economic problems in modern society. Particular attention is given to the role of the public sector, and nonprofit and grassroots organizations. Policies are examined with respect to: basic human needs, equity issues, individual, family and community development, and quality of life.

Topics in Social and Urban Policy include:

  • Effectiveness of policies in addressing poverty
  • Crime and justice
  • Nonprofits and social service provision
  • Community-based strategies for revitalization of urban neighborhoods
  • Local economic development policies
  • Affordable housing and shelter provision
  • The media role in shaping policy perspectives

See the full Social and Urban Policy curriculum.

Technology, Environment and Society

Technology, Environment and Society focuses on the institutional, policy and planning dimensions of technology-environment-society relations. Research is informed by theories and concepts drawn from: political economy, political ecology, environmental justice, sustainable development, and comparative energy and environmental policy. Much of the teaching, research, and service in this area is conducted from a comparative and international perspective.

Topics in Technology, Environment and Society include:

  • Policy responses to climate change
  • Sustainable development strategies
  • Environmental justice
  • Political economy of energy, environment and international development
  • Comparative energy and environmental policy
  • Integrated resource planning
  • Conservation and renewable energy options

See the full Technology, Environment and Society curriculum.