Graduate Urbanism Studies Aren't What They Used to Be

"For students interested in becoming professional urban practitioners, postgraduate options have expanded…perhaps in response to the changing landscape of urbanism," writes Sophie Silkes. In fact, where once "options for would-be urban world-changers were once comprised of architecture, planning, design, and urban studies. Today, prospective students have the opportunity to pursue an MA or MSc in everything from Sustainable Environmental Systems to City Design and Social Science or Urban Strategies and Design."

"These programs explore disparate themes but have several common elements, which mirror today’s particular brand of exploratory, creative urbanism. With an emphasis on  “interdisciplinary” or “transdiscplinary” curricula, they embrace criticism, question the traditional tenets of urban planning, and encourage entrepreneurial design innovation."

Silkes goes on to study the Theories of Urban Practice Master of Arts program at Parsons School of Design Strategies in Manhattan as an example of the new trends in urbanism education.