City & Regional Planning, MCP: Housing, Community and Economic Development
The Master of City Planning core curriculum encompasses the basic skills and knowledge required of all planners regardless of their specialization, and is a hallmark of our cutting-edge and practical approach to educating city planners. Students who complete the core will understand the legal and historical basis of city planning; they will know how to use a wide variety of population and economic data to understand local communities; and they will understand the form and arrangement of cities and metropolitan areas around the world. Most important, they will understand which planning approaches work best in which contexts and circumstances.
The Housing, Community and Economic Development concentration focuses on how planners and policy leaders influence the social and economic factors shaping metropolitan economies and urban neighborhoods, particularly low-wealth communities and communities of color. It prepares graduates for positions in housing, community and economic development finance, neighborhood revitalization, workforce development, center city re-development, and public sector management of urban and regional economic development. Housing, Community and Economic Development is a four-credit concentration.
For more information: https://www.design.upenn.edu/city-regional-planning
Curriculum
A total of 18 course units are required for graduation. 15 course units must be in City Planning (CPLN) courses.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| City & Regional Planning Requirements | ||
| Core Requirements | ||
| CPLN 5000 | Introduction to City Planning: History, Theory and Practice | 1 |
| CPLN 5010 | Quantitative Planning Analysis Methods | 1 |
| CPLN 5020 | Urban Economics and Public Finance | 1 |
| or CPLN 5090 | Law of Planning and Urban Development | |
| CPLN 6000 | Studio I | 2 |
| CPLN 7010 | Planning Studio (or other CPLN 70x0 Studio) | 2 |
| Spatial Analysis Requirement | ||
| CPLN 5030 | Modeling Geographical Objects | 1 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 3 CPLN Electives (CPLN courses or with FMCP attribute) | 3 | |
| Select 3 General Electives (must be 5000-level or higher) | 3 | |
| Housing, Community and Economic Development Requirements | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| CPLN 5200 | Introduction to Housing, Community and Economic Development | 1 |
| CPLN 7200 | Housing, Community and Economic Development Practicum | 1 |
| Theory/Methods Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Techniques of Urban Economic Development | ||
| Community Engagement for Planners, Policy Makers, and Designers | ||
| Introduction to Property Development | ||
| Concentration Electives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Metropolitan Food System | ||
| The Carceral State | ||
| Race, Poverty and Place | ||
| Migration and Development | ||
| Housing, Community & Economic Development Topics Class | ||
| Downtown Development | ||
| Other HCE-related course with permission of advisor | ||
| Total Course Units | 18 | |
Internship Requirement
Plan of Study
Standard Course of Study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Course Units | |
| CPLN 5000 | Introduction to City Planning: History, Theory and Practice | 1 |
| CPLN 5010 | Quantitative Planning Analysis Methods | 1 |
| CPLN 5030 | Modeling Geographical Objects | 1 |
| CPLN 5200 | Introduction to Housing, Community and Economic Development (Concentration Requirement #1) | 1 |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| CPLN 6000 | Studio I | 2 |
| Concentration Requirement 2 | 1 | |
| Choose 2 General Electives 1, 2 | 2 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CPLN 7010 | Planning Studio (or other 70x0 Planning Studio) | 2 |
| CPLN 5020 | Urban Economics and Public Finance (or General Elective at 5000-level or higher) 3 | 1 |
| Concentration Requirement 2 | 1 | |
| Choose 1 General Elective 1, 2 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| CPLN 5090 | Law of Planning and Urban Development (or General elective at 5000-level or higher) 3 | 1 |
| Concentration Requirement 2 | 1 | |
| Choose 2 General Electives 1, 2 | 2 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 18.00 | |
- 1
Electives must be 5000-level or higher. Undergraduate courses do not count towards CPLN degree requirements. Only 3 non-CPLN courses may be counted towards the degree; students must have 15 CUs under the CPLN subject heading.
- 2
The scheduling of concentration courses and general electives is flexible and can be taken in the order that best works for the student. Note that some requirements are only offered in Fall or Spring and registration should be planned accordingly.
- 3
Students must take either CPLN 5020 (only offered in the Fall) or CPLN 5090 (only offered in the Spring). In the term when not registered for this requirement, register for a general elective.
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.