Urban Policy & Planning Graduate Certificate

In this course, you’ll dive into the history, theory, and practice of planning, asking big questions about why planning matters, whose interests it serves, and how planners navigate ethical and political challenges. Along the way, you’ll examine how cities in the U.S. have evolved, considering issues like community power, representation, participation, and conflict. Through readings, discussions, and case studies, you’ll build a practical and critical understanding of the planning process, learning how historical context, theory, and policy come together to shape urban spaces. By the end of the course, you’ll have the tools to think like a planner—analyzing cities, evaluating strategies, and understanding the values and trade-offs that guide urban decision-making.  [ 4 cr. ]

Why do cities face persistent challenges like inequality, housing shortages, or strained public services? And what can be done to solve them? In this course, you’ll explore the major urban issues shaping communities in the U.S., while also considering global perspectives and connections. You’ll examine the causes, consequences, and complexity of these problems, learning how they intersect and influence one another. The course emphasizes U.S. policy, giving you tools to analyze how governments, nonprofits, and private organizations respond to urban challenges. Through case studies and research, you’ll develop the skills to critically evaluate urban problems and propose practical, effective policy solutions. By the end of the course, you’ll have a deeper understanding of what drives urban issues and how thoughtful policies can create stronger, more equitable cities.  [ 4 cr. ]

Have you ever wondered why some neighborhoods thrive while others struggle to access safe, affordable housing? In this course, you’ll explore how housing and community development shape opportunity, stability, and mobility across the United States. You’ll examine the forces that influence where and how people live—such as poverty, segregation, and social inequality—and discover how housing policies and community development efforts can strengthen neighborhoods and expand opportunity. Through discussions, readings, and real-world examples, you’ll trace the history of housing policy and analyze how federal, state, and local decisions affect communities today. Along the way, you’ll reflect on your own experiences and perspectives while building the tools to think critically about housing challenges and solutions. Whether you’re interested in public policy, urban planning, or community leadership, this course helps you understand how housing decisions shape communities—and how you can help build more equitable ones.  [ 4 cr. ]

How do cities actually run—and who makes the decisions that shape daily life in your community? In this course, you’ll explore real-world cases in municipal and public management to understand how local governments operate and serve the public. You’ll look at how city leaders organize departments, manage budgets, plan programs, and work with employees and community partners. The course also examines how public agencies collaborate—and sometimes clash—with private organizations to deliver services. Through case studies, you’ll explore how cities manage essential functions. By the end of the course, you’ll have a clearer picture of how municipal governments turn policy into action and how effective management can improve services, strengthen communities, and address complex urban challenges.  [ 4 cr. ]

Graduate Prerequisites: (METUA301 & METUA701) or consent of instructor. - UA510 is the designation for "Special Topics in Planning". The subject matter for UA510 courses changes from semester to semester, and more than one UA510 can be offered in a given semester.   [ 4 cr. ]

How does food make its way into cities? Why do some neighborhoods have plenty of options while others face shortages? This course explores the systems that feed urban communities, the challenges of access, and the policies that shape what people can eat. You’ll trace the journey of food from farms and producers into metropolitan areas, examining issues like food deserts, school nutrition, gentrification, and the influence of immigrant and ethnic cuisines. The course also looks at innovations in urban food production, including community gardens, vertical farming, and small-scale craft food enterprises. Through case studies and global examples—like sushi and coffee as traded commodities—you’ll see how local food access connects to wider economic and social systems. We’ll also examine how the pandemic and ongoing efforts to address structural inequities affect urban food security. By the end of the course, you’ll understand how cities can build more just, sustainable, and resilient food systems—and how thoughtful policy and planning make it possible.  [ 4 cr. ]

What makes a city sustainable and resilient? In this course, you’ll explore how urban planners and communities address real-world challenges from land use and urban form at the site level and regional scale, to healthy communities, water, energy, economic development, green infrastructure, and transportation. Through readings, discussions, site visits, guest speakers, and hands-on projects, you’ll learn the key concepts behind sustainable and resilient urban design, including land use, green infrastructure, water and energy systems, and economic development. You’ll see how planners work with multiple stakeholders to ask the right questions, evaluate solutions, and make decisions that balance environmental, social, and economic goals. While the focus is on U.S. cities, with Boston as a primary example, you’ll also examine international perspectives and comparative examples. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to critically assess sustainability and climate adaptation strategies, propose high-level solutions to urban challenges, and understand the role planners—and other professionals—play in shaping cities that are adaptable, just, and prepared for the future.  [ 4 cr. ]

How can maps and spatial data reveal patterns in cities and communities that aren’t visible at street level? In this project-based course, you learn how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) help planners and urban professionals analyze places, understand patterns, and make better decisions. You’ll build practical skills in spatial thinking and spatial analysis while working with real geographic data. Through hands-on projects, you’ll learn how to collect, organize, and analyze spatial information, create maps that communicate clear insights, and evaluate the strengths and limits of different data sources. Along the way, you’ll explore how GIS is used to address real urban challenges—from understanding neighborhood change to informing planning and policy decisions. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to use GIS tools to analyze places, visualize patterns, and communicate spatial insights that support sustainable and more equitable communities.  [ 4 cr. ]

How do cities move people and goods efficiently—and what challenges do urban transportation systems face? This course introduces you to the key concepts, policies, and planning tools used to address transportation issues at the city and metropolitan level. You’ll explore methods planners use to analyze problems, develop solutions, and evaluate the impacts of transportation initiatives. Using examples from the Greater Boston area, including operations and capital projects, you’ll see how real agencies tackle challenges in public transit, roads, and multimodal networks. Guest speakers from local, regional, and state transportation agencies will provide insights into professional practice and decision-making. By the end of the course, you’ll have a practical understanding of transportation planning and the skills to analyze problems, propose solutions, and understand the policies shaping the movement of people and goods in cities.  [ 4 cr. ]

How do policy, planning, and real estate development come together to shape the modern city? In this course, you explore the evolution of urban development through the lens of Boston and other U.S. cities, examining how public decisions and private investment work together to transform urban environments. You’ll learn how planners, developers, policymakers, community groups, and investors influence what gets built and where. Through case discussions and participatory dialogue, you’ll examine the strategies, policies, and financial tools that shape development outcomes and the roles different actors play in the process. The course emphasizes practical understanding of how ideas move from analysis and planning to real-world implementation. You’ll develop the skills to analyze development cases, understand competing perspectives, and recognize how local, state, and federal policies shape urban change. Along the way, you’ll also consider how recent disruptions—such as the COVID-19 pandemic—are reshaping planning and development and what the future may hold for cities.  [ 4 cr. ]