Sustainable Urbanism launch

MARCH 13, 2024

BY Miriam taylor Fair

The Tulane School of Architecture is launching a new Sustainable Urbanism undergraduate program, beginning in Fall 2025. Offering both a major and a minor, the program equips students with the knowledge and skills to analyze and address the environmental, social, and economic challenges shaping cities today. Rooted in the principles of urbanism and sustainability, the program trains students to study the built environment and its impact on human well-being and ecological systems.

As the global urban population rises — projected to reach 68% by 2050 — cities face mounting challenges, including housing affordability, climate resilience, environmental degradation, and social inequality. The Sustainable Urbanism program takes an interdisciplinary approach to these issues, drawing from fields such as urban planning, environmental studies, architecture, sociology, political science, landscape architecture, and social innovation. Students will explore how cities develop, how they function, and how they can be improved—all while developing strategies to make urban environments more socially just, universally accessible, and environmentally responsible.

A key emphasis of the program is its alignment with global sustainability frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement, and the United Nations Urban Agendas for 2030 and 2050. Courses will examine sustainable city-making practices, climate action, green infrastructure, disaster resilience, and policies that support equity and inclusion in urban spaces. Through both theoretical study and applied research, students will learn to propose urban development pathways that promote environmental and social justice while ensuring cities remain vibrant, livable, and adaptable to change.

The major consists of 41 credit hours, while the minor requires 21 credit hours, allowing students to combine their studies with other disciplines or take advantage of study-abroad opportunities. The curriculum integrates practical research methodologies, including urban data analysis, GIS mapping, stakeholder engagement, and representational design tools. By combining quantitative and qualitative research methods, students will develop the skills necessary to evaluate urban challenges and design innovative, actionable solutions.

Beyond the classroom, the program prioritizes hands-on learning through collaborative research projects, internships, and partnerships with local and international organizations. By working alongside community stakeholders, students will engage with real-world urban issues such as disaster preparedness, housing accessibility, transportation infrastructure, and climate resilience.