School of City and Regional Planning

Department website: http://www.planning.gatech.edu/

Founded in 1952, Georgia Tech's planning school is one of the oldest professional planning programs in the United States, with more than 1,500 alumni. Graduates are employed in public, private, and third sectors, including all levels of government, real estate development firms, planning consultancies, banks, public utilities, community development corporations, universities, research organizations, and public interest groups. The School's Master of City and Regional Planning program is fully accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board.

Our institutional setting within the College of Design and one of the world's premiere technology universities enables students to acquire expertise in every area of the urban development process, including planning, design, construction/engineering, and management. The School of City and Regional Planning is home to four research centers:

These centers plus Georgia Tech's Economic Innovation Institute, Georgia Transportation Institute, Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems, and renowned co-op program, provide hands-on practice and research experience for many of our graduate students.

The Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) program offered by the School of City and Regional Planning is fully accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board, a joint accrediting body of the American Institute of Certified Planners, the American Planning Association, and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning.

The MCRP degree is the recognized basis for a career as a professional planner.

Minors

Master's Degrees

Doctoral Degree

Certificate in Real Estate Development

Georgia Tech undergraduates in good standing may complete a Certificate in Real Estate Development offered by the School of City and Regional Planning in collaboration with the School of Building Construction and the Scheller College of Business. The certificate is designed to provide specialized education in land real estate development making our students more competitive in securing employment and in advancing to graduate education. Students must complete twelve credit hours in required and restricted elective courses, and maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.7. The certificate is awarded upon graduation or the next semester after graduation. 

Certificate in Real Estate Development

Certificate in Geographic Information Systems

The Certificate in Geographic Information Systems is open to both MCRP students and students from other programs. The certificate is structured around three sets of courses, including a foundational course in GIS, two skills related courses, and one policy context course. For City and Regional Planning graduate students, coursework for this certificate can be counted toward the MCRP or PhD degree. Students must complete twelve credit hours in required and restricted elective courses taken on letter-grade basis, and completed with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The certificate is awarded upon graduation or the next semester after graduation. 

Certificate in Geographic Information Systems

CP 2233. Sustainable Urban Development. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of sustainability as applied to the built environment at scales from the site to the megaregion.

CP 2698. Undergraduate Research. 1-12 Credit Hours.

Independent research conducted under the guidance of a faculty member. Undergraduate research under the guidance of a faculty member for the first years and sophmores.

CP 2699. Undergraduate Research. 1-12 Credit Hours.

Independent research conducted under the guidance of a faculty member. Undergraduate research under the guidance of a faculty member for first years and sophomores.

CP 4010. Foundations of Urban and Regional Development. 3 Credit Hours.

The course describes the economic function of cities and the significant factors that shape their growth and development.

CP 4020. Introduction to Urban and Regional Planning. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides an overview of the planning of cities and metropolitan regions. The legal and historical context as well as substantive areas of urban planning are addressed.

CP 4030. The City and Its Technology. 3 Credit Hours.

This course places urban infrastructure technology within the larger context of planning and development. The social and economic aspects of these systems are highlighted.

CP 4040. The City in Fiction and Film. 3 Credit Hours.

Examines images and perceptions of the urban environment as portrayed in literature and cinema. Explores the social, economic, and cultural contexts that impact on conception of the city.

CP 4050. Negotiation, Facilitation, and Conflict Management. 3 Credit Hours.

Theoretical and practical instruction on techniques of negotiation and consensus building using case studies and training exercises.

CP 4052. Sustainable Cities Studio. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides students with a faculty-supervised community engagement experience in developing a sustainability-related project for a non-profit, business, or government agency.

CP 4105. Land Conservation. 3 Credit Hours.

This course considers the distinctive American view of land and history of the conservation movement, then discusses the why and how of modern land conservation.

CP 4190. Introduction to Climate Change Planning. 3 Credit Hours.

This course equips students with the knowledge and methods necessary to undertake the next generation of state, local, corporate, and enterprise climate action planning.

CP 4210. Environmental Planning and Impact Assessment. 3 Credit Hours.

Covers the principles of environmental planning and decision making. Examines the methods and processes, and environmental impact assessment and regulation.

CP 4310. Urban Transportation and Planning. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to introduce the fundamentals of urban transportation planning and policy and is applicable to students in a variety of concentrations of study. The purpose of the course will be to acquaint students with transportation planning as a profession and the types of projects that transportation planners are required to conduct.

CP 4510. Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems. 3 Credit Hours.

The course provides a basic understanding of the tools for collecting, storing, and analyzing spatially distributed data. Basic issues of software design and application are covered.

CP 4541. Environmental Geographic Information Systems. 3 Credit Hours.

This course focuses on the application of geographic information systems (GIS) to environmental problems. It highlights the types and sources of data appropriate to those applications.

CP 4545. Climate Change Analytics. 3 Credit Hours.

This course addresses the global problem of climate change using powerful, recently-developed tools from the fields of data science and geospatial analytics.

CP 4570. Socioeconomic Geographic Information Systems. 3 Credit Hours.

This GIS course addresses the collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of spatial social, economic, housing, and demographic information.

CP 4610. Introduction to Real Estate Investment. 3 Credit Hours.

Introduction to real estate analysis and utilization. Subjects include attributes of real property, value determinations, appraisal, investment analysis, market analysis, asset management, and public aspects.

CP 4620. Housing and Real Estate Economics. 3 Credit Hours.

Examination of private and public sector approaches to housing. Economic theory of durable goods, demand elasticities, applied market research analyses, and history of public intervention.

CP 4698. Undergraduate Research. 1-12 Credit Hours.

Independent research conducted under the guidance of a faculty member. Undergraduate research under the guidance of a faculty member for juniors and seniors.

CP 4699. Undergraduate Research. 1-12 Credit Hours.

Independent research conducted under the guidance of a faculty member. Undergraduate research under the guidance of a faculty member for juniors and seniors.

CP 4811. Special Topics. 1 Credit Hour.

Topics of current interest not covered in other courses in the department.

CP 4812. Special Topics. 2 Credit Hours.

Topics of current interest not covered in other courses in the department.

CP 4813. Special Topics. 3 Credit Hours.

Topics of current interest not covered in other courses in the department.

CP 4814. Special Topics. 4 Credit Hours.

Topics of current interest not covered in other courses in the department.

CP 4815. Special Topics. 5 Credit Hours.

Topics of current interest not covered in other courses in the department.

CP 4901. Special Problems. 1-21 Credit Hours.

CP 6002. Introduction to Fields of Planning. 2 Credit Hours.

Introduction to the various subfields of planning through reading, discussion, and guest lectures by practicing planners. Course also covers professional ethics and career planning and development.

CP 6005. Freehand Drawing for Planners. 1 Credit Hour.

This courses teaches planning students through drawing to record, analyze, conceptualize, and represent commonly recurring physical and diagrammatic relationships that occur in the physical environment.

CP 6006. Visualization for Planners. 1 Credit Hour.

Explores visual and representational techniques and methods for physical planning, introducing a common set of computer applications designed to enhance visual representation and communication.

CP 6012. Theory and History of Planning. 4 Credit Hours.

Examines theories of planning and the public interest. Considers the roles of planners within the American political system and the historical development of the planning profession.

CP 6016. Growth Management Law and Implementation. 3 Credit Hours.

Study of legal framework of planning focusing on managing development to achieve desired outcomes for the economy, society, and the environment.

CP 6024. Quantitative and Computer Methods. 4 Credit Hours.

Introduction to computing and quantitative methods in planning. Discusses commonly used data sources, data management, presentation techniques, and planning analytical models.

CP 6025. Advanced Planning Methods. 4 Credit Hours.

Analytical methods in planning including inferential statistics, linear regression, and analysis of variance and how they are applied to planning problems.

CP 6031. Economic Analysis for Planning. 3 Credit Hours.

Applications of economic principles to planning, including market theory, public goods, externalities, cost benefit analysis, and project economics.

CP 6032. Urban and Regional Development Theory. 3 Credit Hours.

Study of theories in the structure and function of cities and regions. Emphasis on the economic forces shaping urban development.

CP 6034. Demographic and Economic Analysis of Urban Areas. 3 Credit Hours.

This course considers the social and economic structure of urban areas from a demographic perspective. Population structure, population change, and migration are explored.

CP 6035. Theory and History of Planning. 3 Credit Hours.

Examines theories of planning and the public interest, the intellectual and historical development of the planning profession, and the roles of planners within political systems.

CP 6036. Community Dynamics and Engagement. 2 Credit Hours.

Study of theories and dynamics of community-building, with a focus on working in communities, equity and inclusive community engagement.

CP 6037. Planning Law, Regulation and Implementation. 3 Credit Hours.

Study of legal framework of planning focusing on managing development and increasing opportunity to achieve desired outcomes for the economy, society, and the environment.

CP 6052. Applied Planning Studio. 4 Credit Hours.

Analysis and preparation of alternatives for an existing neighborhood, community, or region. Emphasis on application of planning skills in a real-world situation.

CP 6053. Applied Planning Studio (Urban Design). 6 Credit Hours.

The studio investigates urban physical settings. It emphasizes processes from visual representation, performanece evaluations to design decision making of future sustainable urban systems.

CP 6055. Planning Studio. 5 Credit Hours.

Analysis and preparation of alternatives for an existing neighborhood, community, or region. Emphasis on application of planning skills in a real-world situation.

CP 6105. Land Conservation. 3 Credit Hours.

This course considers the distinctive American view of land and history of the conservation movement, then discusses the why and how of modern land conservation.

CP 6112. Introduction to Land Use Planning. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces students to land use planning. The basic rationale for land use planning and its form in different states is covered.

CP 6122. Land Use Planning Methods. 3 Credit Hours.

This course explores the techniques of land use planning and applies them to specific land use types.

CP 6190. Introduction to Climate Change Planning. 3 Credit Hours.

This course equips students with the knowledge and methods necessary to develop the next generation fo state, local, corporate, and enterprise climate action planning.

CP 6213. Urb Env Plan & Design. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces students to the basic theoretical and analytical underpinnings of urban environmental planning and design.

CP 6214. Environmental Planning and Impact Assessment. 3 Credit Hours.

Examines the principles, processes, and methods of environmental planning. Focus on environmental science and its use in impact assessment and project evaluation.

CP 6217. Climate Change and the City. 3 Credit Hours.

The course explores land use and urban design strategies for adapting to climate change in cities and on local hazard mitigation policy.

CP 6223. Policy Tools for Environmental Management. 3 Credit Hours.

The course covers the regulatory, market, and procedural tools used to manage the environment. It examines the strengths and weaknesses of alternative techniques.

CP 6233. Sustainable Urban Development. 3 Credit Hours.

Explores the principles and practice of sustainable urban development and the role of planning.

CP 6241. Water Resources Planning. 3 Credit Hours.

Fundamentals of water resources planning and watershed management. Emphasis on urban water resources problems, policies, and practices.

CP 6243. Health Impact Assessment. 3 Credit Hours.

Students conduct an HIA, evaluate a completed HIA and propose approaches to institutionalizing HIA in institutions that traditionally do not focus on health outcomes.

CP 6250. Hazardous Waste Planning and Management. 3 Credit Hours.

Examines the planning tools and management techniques for the proper use, storage, transport, and disposal of hazardous material and waste products.

CP 6261. Environmental Law. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces students to the framework of legislation that shapes environmental planning and policy, including NEPA, Clean Air Act, and Clean Water Act.

CP 6311. Introduction to Transportation Planning. 4 Credit Hours.

Overview course in transportation planning including basic principles to understanding transportation, current transportation problems, transportation policy, and decision-making processes and methods.

CP 6321. Transportation Planning Methods and Investment Decisions. 4 Credit Hours.

Review of transportation methods and how they interface with investment decisions. How transportation planners at the local, regional, state, and federal levels employ methods.

CP 6331. Land Use and Transportation Interaction. 3 Credit Hours.

Overview of land use and transportation planning principles, how development impacts transportation, how transportation investments impact development patterns and air quality.

CP 6341. Urban Design and Non-Motorized Accessibility. 3 Credit Hours.

Examines role and opportunity to make walking and biking viable travel options in urban environments and how urban environments need to be designed to encourage non-motorized travel.

CP 6351. Transportation and Economic Development. 3 Credit Hours.

Impact of transportation infrastructure investments on economic outcomes at a range of geographic scales including neighborhood, municipality, regional, and statewide.

CP 6361. Regional Transportation Planning and Administration. 3 Credit Hours.

This course will address the administrative, political, methodological, and social issues underlying the regional transportation planning process.

CP 6412. Foundations of Local Economic Development Planning and. 3 Credit Hours.

Policy Introduction to local economic development planning, examining theory, process and practice, international and regional factors, public and private roles.

CP 6422. Economic Development Analysis and Practice. 3 Credit Hours.

This course focuses on strategy development, methods of analysis, and approaches to practice for urban and regional economic development policy and planning.

CP 6432. Industrial Restructuring and Its Planning Implications. 3 Credit Hours.

Examines industrial restructuring trends and theoretical frameworks; develops industry case studies; and considers economic development planning's role in industrial restructuring.

CP 6442. Equity, Social Justice, and Economic Development. 3 Credit Hours.

Explores concepts and theories of equity and social justice, analysis of indicators of (in)justice/equity, and economic development planning's role in promoting equity and social justice.

CP 6452. Urban Development Policy. 3 Credit Hours.

Introduces elements of urban policy and economic development by examining them historically, nationally, and locally. Approaches to urban development and redevelopment are analyzed.

CP 6514. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces students to spatial analysis using geographic information systems. Fundamentals of software design and geographic data are covered.

CP 6521. Advanced Geographic Information Systems. 3 Credit Hours.

The course provides students with advanced spatial analysis techniques including network analysis, three-dimensional surface modeling, and GIS application development.

CP 6531. Introduction to Remote Sensing. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces students to the collection and use of satellite imagery and other remote sensing data.

CP 6541. Environmental Analysis Using GIS. 3 Credit Hours.

This course focuses on the application of geographic information systems (GIS) to environmental problems. It highlights the types and sources of data appropriate to those applications.

CP 6542. Transport & GIS. 3 Credit Hours.

Transportation data models, data processing, modeling, and service delivery in geographical information systems.

CP 6543. Public Health Analytics. 3 Credit Hours.

Presents a comprehensive socioecological framework for conducting healthy places research and practice, and metrics and analytical methods to measure and model health determinants and outcomes.

CP 6545. Climate Change Analytics. 3 Credit Hours.

This course addresses the global problem of climate change using powerful, recently-developed tools from the fields of data science and geospatial analytics.

CP 6551. Spatial Analysis of Socioeconomic Data. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides students with an in-depth study of the spatial distribution of human activity, including population, housing, and employment. Credit not allowed for both CP 6551 and CP 6570.

CP 6552. Design of Smart Urban Systems. 3 Credit Hours.

The course integrates data analytics, systems science and urban design. It covers theories, methods, modeling tools and case studies in the context of smart cities.

CP 6561. Geodemographics: Data Sources and Methods. 3 Credit Hours.

Explores important secondary data sources used by planners and analysts working with smaller geographic areas. Experience with hardware and software used to analyze data.

CP 6570. Socioeconomic GIS. 3 Credit Hours.

This advanced GIS course addresses the collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of spatial social, economic, housing, and demographic information. Credit not allowed for both CP 6570 and CP 6551.

CP 6581. Programming for Geographic Information Systems. 3 Credit Hours.

This course teaches fundamental programming skills for geoprocessing and data presentation in a geographic information system environment. The primary languages used are Python and Javascript.

CP 6591. GIS Professionalization. 1 Credit Hour.

This course provides MSGIST students with a bridge from the academic world to the professional GIS world.

CP 6592. Capstone Project Research. 1 Credit Hour.

This course allows students to select a MSGIST capstone project topic, conduct a professional and academic literature review, and assemble required spatial datasets.

CP 6595. GIS Systems Design and Management. 3 Credit Hours.

This course equips students to address a range of issues related to GIS data acquisition, database design, system configuration, and project management.

CP 6596. GIS Capstone Project. 3 Credit Hours.

Students plan and execute a major professional project using standard GIS methodologies, and communicate the project results in written, graphic, and public presentation formats.

CP 6611. Principles of Real Estate Finance and Development. 3 Credit Hours.

Introduction to principles of real estate finance, focusing on the role the public sector plays in making desirable development projects financially feasible.

CP 6612. Community Development. 3 Credit Hours.

This course will examine neighborhood-based efforts, public policy, trends and practices that have shaped community development in American inner city communities since 1950.

CP 6621. Real Estate Market Research. 3 Credit Hours.

Introduction to real estate market research with particular focus on analyses of housing and office markets.

CP 6630. Government and Housing Markets. 3 Credit Hours.

Examination of the operation of local housing markets and national, state, regional, and local housing policies.

CP 6640. Applied Real Estate Development Methods. 3 Credit Hours.

Application of the development process, market and financial feasibility analyses, and public policy to large development projects. Extensive use of case studies involving professional developers.

CP 6680. Citizen Participation and Community Engagement. 3 Credit Hours.

This course discusses planners' reasons fro engaging communitites in the planning process, evaluates various engagement methods, and produces a guide to direct future practice.

CP 6701. Urban Transportation Planning. 3 Credit Hours.

An overview course on the history, finance, operations, modeling, politics, environmental impacts, and planning of urban transportation systems in the United States.

CP 6702. Urban Transportation Planning Laboratory. 1 Credit Hour.

Transportation planning/engineering laboratory and field experience.

CP 6704. Introduction to Global Development. 3 Credit Hours.

Introduces the goals, theories and key institutional actors involved in Global Development.

CP 6760. Negotiation and Conflict Management. 3 Credit Hours.

Practical and theoretical instruction on techniques of negotiation and consensus building using training exercises and case studies. Emphasizes environmental, policy, planning, and development disputes. Crosslisted with PUBP 6760.

CP 6811. Negotiation, Facilitation, and Conflict Management. 3 Credit Hours.

Theoretical and practical instruction on techniques of negotiation and consensus building using case studies and training exercises.

CP 6815. Cinema City. 3 Credit Hours.

Explores people's response to cities, augmenting the empirical analysis that is urban studies domain with the subjective perspectives of cinematic artists.

CP 6821. Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning. 3 Credit Hours.

Synthesizes elements of the program core's analytic techniques and employs them in a case study context. Cases address urban policy, planning, and management.

CP 6825. Public Sector Finance and Budgeting. 3 Credit Hours.

Theory and practice of public finance. Emphasis on applications in local government revenue collection, budgeting, and expenditure analysis.

CP 6831. Urban Growth and Infrastructure Systems. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides students with a basic understanding of urban infrastructure systems and their role in shaping urban growth and development.

CP 6832. Introduction to Urban Design. 3 Credit Hours.

An introduction to the study, research, and practice of urban design examining traditional design principles and their application to the contemporary city.

CP 6834. Urban Design Policy: Analysis and Implementation. 3 Credit Hours.

Urban design policy making and its implementation including an analysis of the behavioral basis for policies that promote quality in built form. Credit not allowed for both CP 6834 and ARCH 6303.

CP 6836. Urban Ecological Design. 3 Credit Hours.

This course engages the contemporary issues of urban ecology and its articulation to design. It explores relationship between urban forms, and flows of ecology, energy, material, water and information. Credit not allowed for both CP 6836 and ARCH 6447.

CP 6850. Public Health and the Built Environment. 2 Credit Hours.

This interdisciplinary course examines how cities and neighborhoods can have both positive and adverse effects on human health, and produces recommendations to improve these outcomes.

CP 6960. Urban Analytics Capstone Project. 1 Credit Hour.

Students prepare to execute a major professional project using urban analytics methodologies and communicate the project results in written, graphic, and public presentation formats.

CP 6962. Urban Analytics Capstone Project. 5 Credit Hours.

Students plan and execute a major professional project using urban analytics methodologies, and communicate the project results in written, graphic, and public presentation formats.

CP 6XXX. City Planning Elective. 1-21 Credit Hours.

CP 7000. Master's Thesis. 1-21 Credit Hours.

Provides students with an opportunity to pursue advanced research under the guidance of a faculty committee.

CP 7999. Preparation for Ph.D. Qualification Exam. 1-21 Credit Hours.

Preparation for the Ph.D. Qualification Exam.

CP 8000. Doctoral Planning Seminar. 1 Credit Hour.

This course provides students and faculty an opportunity to present and discuss planning research.

CP 8012. PhD Foundations Seminar. 1 Credit Hour.

Incoming City and Regional Planning doctoral students reflect upon research, assess opportunities afforded by doctoral education, and develop a plan of study for the program.

CP 8022. PhD Seminar in Research and Pedagogy. 1 Credit Hour.

Students conceptualize and share ongoing research with their peers, develop professional and pedagogical skills, and explore issues of student and career development.

CP 8200. Advanced Planning Theory. 3 Credit Hours.

Seminar on planning theory, including philosophy of science, political philosophy and ethical theory. The course explores the theoretical basis for planning as a social activity. Credit not allowed for both CP 8200 and COA 8520.

CP 8300. Advanced Urban and Regional Development Theory. 3 Credit Hours.

Examines principal urban-regional economic, and spatial theories for explaining economic, social and physical forces influencing locations, growth and decline of cities and regions. Credit not allowed for both CP 8300 and COA 8540.

CP 8400. Research Design and Qualitative Methods. 3 Credit Hours.

Examines issues associated with the design and methodological implementation of planning and applied social research, with a focus on techniques for qualitative inquiry. Credit not allowed for both CP 8400 and COA 8510.

CP 8505. Advanced Quantitative Research Methods for Planning, Policy and Design. 3 Credit Hours.

This course addresses two complementary topics: the design of quantitative research related to planning, design, and policy; and advanced statistical techniques for accomplishing such research. Credit not allowed for both CP 8505 and COA 8510.

CP 8813. Special Topics in Land Use Planning. 3 Credit Hours.

Topics of current interest in land use planning.

CP 8822. Special Topics. 2 Credit Hours.

Special Topics in City Planning.

CP 8823. Special Topics in Environmental Planning. 3 Credit Hours.

Topics of current interest in environmental planning.

CP 8833. Special Topics in Transportation Planning. 3 Credit Hours.

Topics of current interest in transportation planning.

CP 8843. Special Topics in Economic Development. 3 Credit Hours.

Topics of current interest in economic development.

CP 8851. Special Topics in GIS. 1 Credit Hour.

Topics of current interest in Geographic Information Systems.

CP 8852. Special Topics in GIS. 2 Credit Hours.

Topics of current interest in Geographic Information Systems.

CP 8853. Special Topics in Geographic Information Systems. 3 Credit Hours.

Topics of current interest in geographic information systems.

CP 8863. Special Topics in Land Development. 3 Credit Hours.

Topics of current interest in land development.

CP 8873. Special Topics in Urban Design. 3 Credit Hours.

Topics of current interest in urban design.

CP 8876. Special Topics in Urban Design. 6 Credit Hours.

Special Topics.

CP 8881. Special Topics in City and Regional Planning. 1 Credit Hour.

Topics of current interest in city and regional planning.

CP 8882. Special Topics in City and Regional Planning. 2 Credit Hours.

Topics of current interest in city and regional planning.

CP 8883. Special Topics in City and Regional Planning. 3 Credit Hours.

Topics of current interest in city and regional planning.

CP 8900. Special Problems. 1-21 Credit Hours.

Special problems of current interest.

CP 8901. Special Problems. 1-21 Credit Hours.

Special problems of current interest.

CP 8902. Special Problems. 1-21 Credit Hours.

Special problems of current interest.

CP 8990. Applied Research Paper. 1-21 Credit Hours.

The applied research paper requires students to demonstrate their ability to organize and execute professional-level work in consultation with a faculty member.

CP 8997. Teaching Assistantship. 1-9 Credit Hours.

For graduate students holding graduate teaching assistantships.

CP 8998. Research Assistantship. 1-9 Credit Hours.

For graduate students holding graduate research assistantships.

CP 8999. Preparation for Doctoral Dissertation. 1-21 Credit Hours.

CP 9000. Doctoral Dissertation. 1-21 Credit Hours.

For City Planning Ph.D. candidates writing their dissertations.