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Urban Planning Courses

Take online courses in urban planning to build your skills and advance your career. Learn urban planning and other in-demand subjects with courses from top universities and institutions around the world on edX.

What is Urban Planning?

Urban Planning is the study of the design and economic development of cities and urban environments and encompasses all aspects that impact the public including land use, transportation, public spaces, sanitation, air and water quality, infrastructure, recreation and communications. Urban planners engage many disciplines in their work with a goal of creating a high quality of life for residents in metropolitan areas. Strategic thinking, data analysis and research skills are vital to anyone interested in the field of urban and regional planning. In addition, knowledge of architecture history, high-rise design, public policy, civil engineering, town planning, transportation planning, landscape design, population growth, and environmental planning contribute to success of city planners.

Online Courses in Urban Planning

Get an introduction to the field of urban planning with online courses in city development, land use planning, sustainable urban development, technological advancements and more from top universities and institutions.

How will American cities in the United States adapt to the changing needs of the future? How can urban design, planning programs, and climate change contribute to the sustainability of fast-growing, dense urban environments? Future Cities is a 10-week online course from ETH Zurich that will give students an understanding of the components and dynamics that make up the complex “organism” that is a living, bustling city. This understanding is a crucial first step toward city planning and will build a strong foundation for future courses. The course is self-paced so you can register and start the program immediately.

An excellent introduction to sustainable urban design is a 6-week course from the University of British Columbia called Ecodesign for Cities and Suburbs. This course seeks to expose students to the pitfalls of many modern urban area smart cities that lead to traffic congestion, climate change, pollution and unpleasant living conditions for residents. The course studies real-world examples of ecodesigned communities that emphasize walkability, green space and an overall higher quality of life. Studying the elements of eco-friendly urban planning will help integrate good ideas into the design of future projects.

Explore addition courses on land use management, water conservation, advancements in infrastructure and much more. Many courses on edX are self-paced so you can enroll and start learning today.