The Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Urbanism course at Tulane University supports students in developing sustainable urbanism proposals that provide solutions to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

The mission of the Sustainable Urbanism Major is to study the dynamics of the built environment and its shortcomings so that students can imagine and propose pathways to provide resources for all humanity and to protect our shared habitat.

The program's goals emphasise searching for solutions to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, which include sustainable cities and communities, life on land, life on water, climate action and good health and wellbeing.

The Sustainable Urbanism Major establishes a century-long view of global speculation about the urban, leading into what has been called the 'urban 21st century.'

School: Tulane University School of Architecture and Built Environment
Course: Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Urbanism
Type: Undergraduate (BS)
Location: New Orleans, USA
Course dates: August 2027 to May 2031
Application deadline: 15 January 2027

Find out more about the course and apply ›

What will I learn during this course?

– Explore past, present and emerging theories and practices that address challenges facing rapidly developing cities, including congestion, sprawl, environmental degradation, housing insecurity and climate change
– Apply methodologies commonly used in urban research, including data gathering and representational technologies, design and planning strategies and stakeholder engagement approaches
– Multidisciplinary understanding of the urban environment's impact on wellbeing, alongside historical and theoretical knowledge of urban development, planning and policy responses to economic, social, environmental and climatic challenges
– Proficiency in urban data analysis, digital mapping and representational tools while advancing communication and collaborative skills to critically assess complex urban issues and propose innovative, community-engaged solutions

What are the requirements?

– This course is available to undergraduate students at the Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment
– The program also offers a minor open to all undergraduate students at Tulane University
– Graduate students at the school can earn a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Urbanism through coursework in urban geography, mapping, global urbanism and engaged urban design

What facilities and resources are available?

– Richardson Memorial Hall, on Tulane's Uptown campus in New Orleans
– Classroom and studio-based instruction
– GIS tools to display, analyse, evaluate and communicate information about the world and to evaluate this information for credibility, dependability and transferability

What career prospects can I expect upon graduating?

Students majoring in the Sustainable Urbanism Program will be prepared to undertake advanced academic and professional training in fields such as environmental studies, urban economics, architecture, landscape architecture, urban policy and urban planning and design.

The program also provides a foundation for employment in urban policy and finance, environmental and nonprofit management, urban innovation and smart cities programs, and community planning for disaster preparedness and recovery.

Who teaches this course?

– Rubén García Rubio, associate professor of architecture and urbanism, and program director for sustainable urbanism

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