Interdisciplinary Program in Urban Studies
Over half of the world’s population now lives in cities. As the world rapidly urbanizes, understanding cities and urban life is becoming increasingly important. Rapid urbanization raises multiple challenges regarding housing, infrastructure, nature, employment, poverty, health, and social inclusion.
Urban Studies at SDSU is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program that offers both a major and a minor focusing on cities and urban life. These degrees expose students to a variety of approaches and provide them with cutting-edge tools required to gain better insights of urban environments, cultures, economies and politics. Our program provides students with valuable analytical and problem-solving skills to understand, manage and design sustainable, diverse and inclusive cities. It also prepares them for careers or graduate education in the areas of urban and regional planning, public policy, business, law, architecture, social work, public health, geography, and sociology.
Message for Program Director
Today, the study of cities is more crucial than ever. Urban areas are at the heart of some of the most pressing challenges our world faces, including climate change, social inequality, and population changes. However, they are also the breeding grounds for remarkable innovations and movements that are shaping a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future.
Consider the challenge of climate change. Cities are both significant contributors to carbon emissions and potential leaders in the fight against global warming. Through innovative urban initiatives cities can drastically reduce their carbon footprint and set a global standard for environmental sustainability.
Cities are also hubs for technological and social innovations that can address various urban challenges. The integration of digital technologies to improve urban infrastructure and services, is revolutionizing how cities function by enhancing efficiency, promoting participation, and improving the overall quality of life for residents.
Without confronting the deep-rooted inequalities that hinder people's ability to participate in decision-making and enjoy the benefits of urban life, however, true progress will remain out of reach. Our cities can only thrive when every resident has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from urban development. Cities can serve as incubators for inclusive policies and practices such as participatory planning and budgeting, community land trusts, and equity-focused public transportation. By engaging residents in decision-making and prioritizing their needs, these initiatives address environmental injustices, foster a sense of community, resist gentrification and displacement, and promote mobility.
Your role as students of urban studies is pivotal. You are the future urban planners, policy makers, advocates, and entrepreneurs who will continue to drive these innovations and ensure that our cities are not only places of economic and cultural vitality but also of fairness and sustainability. The knowledge and skills you acquire here will equip you to address the complex issues facing urban areas and to contribute to creating cities that are livable for all.
As you delve into your studies, I encourage you to engage deeply with the “material” by participating in discussion, immersing yourself in urban experiences through fieldwork, internships, and study abroad and thinking critically about your everyday interaction with the urban landscape. The challenges we face are significant, but so too are the opportunities for meaningful impact.
Pascale Joassart-Marcelli
Urban Studies Program Director and Student Advisor