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Urban and Regional Planning

Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (BURPl)
Program Website: ryerson.ca/surp (opens in new window) 
Administered by: School of Urban and Regional Planning
Program Format: Full-time, four-year program.
Full-time, two-year Post-Baccalaureate program.
Full-time, two-year Degree Completion program.

The Urban and Regional Planning (BURPI) degree program is accredited by the Professional Standards Board, and recognized by the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute.

Urban and regional planners are concerned with the development and improvement of human settlements. In their work, they deal with how sectors such as housing, transportation, parks, and industrial uses interconnect, and the effects of these activities on the natural environment, social well-being, and the local economy. They have a professional obligation to pay attention to public aspirations and goals and to promote actions that safeguard resources for the long-term future.

Full-Time, Four-Year Program

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U English.

Notes:

  1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
  2. The grade required in the subject prerequisite (normally in the 70 percent range) will be determined subject to competition.
  3. Students are encouraged to include Grade 12 U or M courses in the Social Sciences and the Humanities (HFA4M, HHS4M, HHG4M, HSB4M, HZT4U) and/or Economics (CIA4U) and U courses in Canadian and World Studies (CGW4U, CGU4U, CHI4U, CHY4U, CLN4U, CPW4U), Science (SBI4U, SCH4U, SPH4U, SES4U) and/or Mathematics (MHF4U, MCV4U, MDM4U) in their secondary school studies.
  4. Applicants will be invited to participate in an optional on-campus session.
  5. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.

Full-Time, Two-Year Programs

Two Year Post-Baccalaureate Degree Program

The School offers a two-year post-baccalaureate program leading to a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (BURPl). Admission requirements include completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited English language university including a minimum of six liberal studies (liberal arts and sciences) courses. Students interested in pursuing this option should consider including courses in: microeconomics, ecology, sociology and politics in their first degree program.

Two Year Degree Completion Program

The School also offers a degree completion program leading to a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (BURPl) degree. Admission requirements include completion of the Urban and Regional Planning Technician-Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Diploma from Mohawk College or the GIS and Urban Planning Diploma from Fanshawe College with a minimum cumulative average of 'B'.

Additional Requirements for Both Two Year Programs

Qualified applicants must successfully complete a 75 hour, three week Spring/Summer intensive block course (CVUP 100) which is offered through The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education. Students must complete CVUP 100 before their entry into the program.

The program is designed to prepare students with substantive knowledge about cities and regions, and with thinking and problem-solving skills for career flexibility and lifelong learning. Our graduates become leaders who contribute to the community and the profession.

The program curriculum features a strong grounding in the planning process as applied in cities and regions. It includes: identifying problems and successes, analyzing them, finding alternatives, estimating the feasibility of other approaches, and involving people who have interests in a specific urban or regional problem in the associated decision-making. Instruction is given in team work and clear communication. Students learn about other professions and disciplines which are closely related to planning such as architecture, landscape architecture, politics, economics, sociology, community development, geography, civil engineering, and business. They also learn how planning is done in other cities and regions through two field trips built into the program, and opportunities for study abroad at six universities in Europe and Australia. Planning experience is gained through project-based studios and through field placements in planning and organizations and community agencies.

Career Opportunities

A planning education leads to varied employment. Some examples:

  • Environmental/Ecological Planner - promoting environmental protection through planning and design at the site or landscape scale;
  • Planning Case Worker - addressing planning disputes using alternative dispute resolution, working mainly in law firms and for the Ontario Municipal Board;
  • Municipal Land-use Planner - reviewing applications for development or redevelopment, advising proponents, staff, and citizen groups;
  • Site Planner - developing urban design concepts and ideas in 3-dimensional forms and executing the graphic representation of these forms;
  • Development Planner - co-ordinating subdivision approvals, development permits, building inspections; working in real estate development or planning consulting firms;
  • Community Planner - working with community groups to enhance their participation in development;
  • Planning Analyst - initiating and integrating a wide variety of studies: Statistical, fiscal, and land use analyses; transportation studies; servicing and environmental information; demographic, housing, and commercial/industrial projection studies;
  • International Development Planner - helping agencies in developing countries to produce plans and policies;
  • Other positions include housing market analyst, commercial property assessor, transportation planner, real estate analyst, economic development planner, policy planner, and more.

Graduate Study

Students from our program frequently go on to postgraduate degrees in public administration, business, law, architecture, social work, education, and of course, in urban and regional planning.

Challenge Credits

Students may apply to challenge some courses providing informal educational opportunities and/or current work experience have allowed the student to develop advanced skill and knowledge in the relevant course areas. The student must be enrolled in the program. Further details regarding challenge credits are found under the Registrar's Office chapter of this calendar.

Liberal Studies

Students must take three lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Degree Completion Program Students must take two lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Urban and Regional Planning (4-Yr) ECN 110 is not available for credit.
Students may take only two courses each of Economics, Politics and Sociology for credit. SOC 103 is not available for credit.

Urban and Regional Planning (Degree Completion Program) ECN 110 is not available for credit. Students may take only one Economics course for credit.  

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

GEO 507, GEO 607 and GEO 793 are not available for credit.

Minors

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

1st & 2nd Semester

1st Semester

REQUIRED:

ECN 104 Introductory Microeconomics
PLG 100 Intro to Urban and Regional Planning
PLG 120 Understanding the Planning Process
POL 123 Urban Government in Canada

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

2nd Semester

REQUIRED:

PLG 240 Applied Ecology for Urban Planners
PLG 200 Planning Principles
PLG 220 Planning Studio I
SOC 104 Understanding Society

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

  

3rd & 4th Semester

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

PLG 300 Theories in Urban and Regional Planning
PLG 310 Statistics for Planners
PLG 320 Planning Studio II

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: One course from Table II.

4th Semester

REQUIRED:

PLG 400 Introduction to Policy Planning
PLG 410 Planning Analysis
PLG 420 Land Use Planning Studio I

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: One course from Table II.

  

5th & 6th Semester

5th Semester

REQUIRED:

PLG 500 Advanced Planning Theory
PLG 510 Planning Law I
PLG 520 Land Use Planning Studio II

REQUIRED GROUP 1: One of the following:

PLG 531 Field Research Project I
PLG 532 Field Research Project II
PLG 533 Field Research Project III
PLG 734 Advanced Field Research Project IV
PLG 735 Advanced Field Research Project V
PLG 736 Advanced Field Research Project VI

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL: One course from Table I.

6th Semester

REQUIRED:

PLG 600 Planning Research Design
PLG 610 Planning Law II
PLG 620 Advanced Planning Studio I

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL: One course from Table I.

  

7th & 8th Semester

7th Semester

REQUIRED:

PLG 700 Contemporary Urban Issues
PLG 710 Municipal Finance for Planners
PLG 720 Advanced Planning Studio II

REQUIRED GROUP 1: One of the following:

PLE 885 International Field Camp
PLG 731 Advanced Field Research Project I
PLG 732 Advanced Field Research Project II
PLG 733 Advanced Field Research Project III
PLG 734 Advanced Field Research Project IV
PLG 735 Advanced Field Research Project V
PLG 736 Advanced Field Research Project VI

PROFESSIONAL: One course from Table I.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: One course from Table II.

8th Semester

REQUIRED:

PLG 800 Planning Practice and Ethics
PLG 810 Planning Administration and Implementation
PLG 830 Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation

PROFESSIONAL: One course from Table I.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: One course from Table II.

1st & 2nd Semester

Students are required to successfully complete CVUP 100 through G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education (opens in new window)  before 1st Semester.

1st Semester

REQUIRED:

ECN 104 Introductory Microeconomics
PLG 500 Advanced Planning Theory
PLG 510 Planning Law I
PLG 520 Land Use Planning Studio II

REQUIRED GROUP 1: One of the following:

PLG 531 Field Research Project I
PLG 532 Field Research Project II
PLG 533 Field Research Project III
PLG 734 Advanced Field Research Project IV
PLG 735 Advanced Field Research Project V
PLG 736 Advanced Field Research Project VI

PROFESSIONAL: One course from Table III.

2nd Semester

REQUIRED:

PLG 240 Applied Ecology for Urban Planners
PLG 600 Planning Research Design
PLG 610 Planning Law II
PLG 620 Advanced Planning Studio I

PROFESSIONAL: One course from Table III.

  

3rd & 4th Semester

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

PLG 700 Contemporary Urban Issues
PLG 710 Municipal Finance for Planners
PLG 720 Advanced Planning Studio II

REQUIRED GROUP 1: One of the following:

PLE 885 International Field Camp
PLG 731 Advanced Field Research Project I
PLG 732 Advanced Field Research Project II
PLG 733 Advanced Field Research Project III
PLG 734 Advanced Field Research Project IV
PLG 735 Advanced Field Research Project V
PLG 736 Advanced Field Research Project VI

PROFESSIONAL: Two courses from Table III.

4th Semester

REQUIRED:

PLG 800 Planning Practice and Ethics
PLG 810 Planning Administration and Implementation
PLG 830 Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation

PROFESSIONAL: Two courses from Table III.

1st & 2nd Semester

Students are required to successfully complete CVUP 100 through G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education (opens in new window)  before 1st Semester.

1st Semester

REQUIRED:

ECN 104 Introductory Microeconomics
PLG 500 Advanced Planning Theory
PLG 510 Planning Law I
PLG 520 Land Use Planning Studio II

REQUIRED GROUP 1: One of the following:

PLG 531 Field Research Project I
PLG 532 Field Research Project II
PLG 533 Field Research Project III
PLG 734 Advanced Field Research Project IV
PLG 735 Advanced Field Research Project V
PLG 736 Advanced Field Research Project VI

LIBERAL STUDIES:
Two courses from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

2nd Semester

REQUIRED:

PLG 240 Applied Ecology for Urban Planners
PLG 600 Planning Research Design
PLG 610 Planning Law II
PLG 620 Advanced Planning Studio I

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL: One course from Table III.

  

3rd & 4th Semester

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

PLG 700 Contemporary Urban Issues
PLG 710 Municipal Finance for Planners
PLG 720 Advanced Planning Studio II

REQUIRED GROUP 1: One of the following:

PLE 885 International Field Camp
PLG 731 Advanced Field Research Project I
PLG 732 Advanced Field Research Project II
PLG 733 Advanced Field Research Project III
PLG 734 Advanced Field Research Project IV
PLG 735 Advanced Field Research Project V
PLG 736 Advanced Field Research Project VI

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL: One course from Table III.

4th Semester

REQUIRED:

PLG 805 Senior Research Project
PLG 800 Planning Practice and Ethics
PLG 810 Planning Administration and Implementation
PLG 830 Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL: One course from Table III.

In addition to the general criteria used to determine Academic Standing, students in this program must also meet the following conditions:

  • Students on PROBATIONARY status and/or out-of-phase in the program must proceed according to the School’s course prerequisite requirements and must complete outstanding course requirements first.
  • A second failed grade in any given course will lead to a REQUIRED TO WITHDRAW Standing.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see  (PDF file) Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Paul Bedford
Urban Mentor
Former Chief Planner
City of Toronto

Audrey Bennett
Director
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Provincial Planning And Environmental Services Branch

Jennifer Keesmaat
Chief Planner
City of Toronto

Glenn Miller
Director, Education and Research
Canadian Urban Institute

Mohammad Qadeer
Professor Emeritus
Former Director
School of Urban and Regional Planning
Queen's University

David Stonehouse
Director of Site Development
The Brickworks
Evergreen Foundation

Mark Tutten
Senior Vice President of Land Development
Tribute Communities