The Graduate Program in City and Regional Planning

is one of four units within the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy. The 48 hour Master's degree in City & Regional Planning prepares students for careers concerned with the physical development of communities, and the interaction of that development with the social, economic, and environmental well-being of communities. The program is fully accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board.

Our Mission it to educate the next generation of inspired urban planners and scholars, conduct research that influences planning policy and knowledge, and engage with partners in innovative local planning efforts.

Click here for measures of student achievement and recent program statistics.

 Study Abroad with City & Regional Planning 

Urban Regeneration in Eastern Sicily

June 17 - 26, 2015

A 10-day long field experience in Provence of Catania, Sicily to study and directly contribute to the efforts of local community organizations working toward promoting regional development through ecological sustainability in the Simeto River Valley.

Over the past two years, towns in the Simeto River Valley have worked to develop the "Simeto River Agreement," a shared document to guide future planning and design in the region. Students will work with grassroots leaders toward implementing signature projects.

Program Cost: $2,600 (plus airfare)

To Apply, click here. Application deadline: March 15

To Apply for a Study Abroad Scholarship

• At the end of your application for the study abroad trip, you will have an option to apply for the Study Abroad Scholarship
• Or, go to http://www.memphis.edu/abroad/ and click on “scholarships”
• Scholarship application deadline is March 3.

Credit by Exam:  There will be no course to register for in conjunction with this program. Instead, students participating will be eligible for “credit by exam” for PLAN 7708: Planning Practice. This will require a $60 fee.

Program Flyer   ||   Quick Facts Sheet    ||   Detailed Course Schedule         

City & Regional Planning Students' Primer of Urban/Suburban Inequity 

Winner, TAPA Best Student Project Award, 2014

 A Message from the Director

"Dream of a City" is the motto for the Division of City and Regional Planning at the University of Memphis. It alludes to the University's motto – "Dreamers. Thinkers. Doers." – while evoking Daniel Burnham's exhortation to make big plans, and reflecting Dr. Martin Luther King's vision of justice, unity, and opportunity. The purpose of the motto is, in part, to inspire students of planning to be visionary – to think beyond planning as a technical exercise and engage in planning as a creative endeavor. We also hope to inspire students, community partners, and planners alike to recognize that we don't have to settle for the faults, shortcomings, and injustices of our neighborhoods and places – that change is possible if there is vision. We each have our unique perspectives on what makes an ideal city.

We welcome your knowledge, insights, visions, and dreams!

The Mid-South Planning & Zoning Institute

presents a day-long conference each spring for citizen leaders, elected officials, planning commissioners, zoning boards, and planning professionals. The purpose of this conference is to facilitate a better understanding of critical issues in land use planning and policy. Nationally recognized experts form the faculty of the conference and explore critical issues in planning the future of neighborhoods, towns, cities, counties, and regions in the Mid-South.

 The Regional Economic Development Center

was established in 1967 with funding from the Economic Development Administration and served, formerly, as a research and outreach arm of the Graduate Program in City & Regional Planning, conducting applied research and providing technical assistance to public and private sector clients in Middle and West Tennessee. Past REDC projects can be found here.