Planning and Community Development

Community Development is a dynamic field of study that works to improve the economic, social, and environmental qualities of our communities. It focuses on the design and implementation of programs designed to make a community a better place to live and work. Community Development integrates the following key elements: The characteristics of rural, suburban, and urban communities, emphasizing their heritage, built and natural environments, economic and social conditions, and cultural features; the issues confronting communities, such as suburban sprawl, rural development, affordable housing, traffic congestion, downtown revitalization, aging populations, heritage preservation, and neighborhood cohesion, to name a few; and strategies to address community issues, which can combine aspects of community organization, urban and regional planning, citizen participation, community design, economic development, advocacy, and sustainable development. This program is an applied career-oriented major.