The Department of Urban and Regional Planning is a place where scholars, teachers, practitioners, and students come together to find ways to improve urban regions and advance the planning profession through research, teaching and service.
The Department provides an environment to discuss, develop, and disseminate new ideas and concepts, and contribute to the practice of planning directed toward a future that is environmentally, economically, and socially beneficial. We encourage involvement in a range of governance activities including plan making, policy development, participatory decision-making, and community stewardship. The Department seeks to exploit the potential of emerging technologies and collaborative engagement in creative and innovative ways.
Mission
The Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Florida Atlantic University is committed to providing regional, national, and international leadership in urban planning and design through scholarship, education, and community engagement. Through high-impact educational programs, we prepare planning and design practitioners, scholars, and civic leaders to shape healthy, sustainable communities and promote economic opportunity, innovation, and public service. Our research bridges theory and practice, integrating emerging technologies, innovative design, regulatory expertise, and evidence-based solutions to inform strategic planning for the built environment.
Vision
The Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Florida Atlantic University aims to be a leader in urban planning and design research and education, advancing innovative solutions to the 21st century’s most pressing urban, environmental, and economic challenges. As the sole urban planning and design program in South Florida, a dynamic region of over 6 million people and 123 municipalities, we are committed to real-world problem-solving and equipping our graduates with the knowledge and tools to shape a smart, sustainable, and resilient future.
Core Values
- Academic excellence: We hold ourselves to the highest standards in planning education, scholarship, and research with real-world impacts, both locally, in the complex and dynamic South Florida region, as well as nationally and internationally.
- Leadership on local, regional, and global issues: We are committed to advancing urban planning and design research on solutions to the most pressing urban, environmental, and economic challenges of the 21st century.
- Stewardship, social responsibility, and public service: We foster a culture of shared responsibility and service to our communities, particularly in the context of South Florida’s urban complexities.
- Innovation and forward-thinking: We use the power of cutting-edge knowledge and technologies to drive transformative change, addressing contemporary urban issues with an eye toward smart and resilient futures.
- Student success: We prioritize student development through mentorship, hands-on learning, and community engagement and partnerships, empowering graduates to excel in their careers and make a positive impact in South Florida and beyond.
- Civic engagement, communication, and outreach: We are committed to meaningful engagement and active collaboration with local stakeholders, ensuring our work reflects South Florida's aspirations, needs, and values.
- Ethics and empowerment: We maintain a commitment to professional ethical standards, fairness, and transparent dissemination of knowledge that can support communities’ aspirations for a better future.