Bachelor of Urban Design

NA On Campus Bachelors Program

Florida Atlantic University

Program Overview

Florida Atlantic University’s Bachelor of Urban Design (BUD) prepares students to understand and shape the built environment at the neighborhood, community, and city levels, with a strong emphasis on sustainable development. Its interdisciplinary curriculum combines urban planning, design methods, geographic information systems, and visual planning technologies, making it a strong option for students interested in creating more functional, attractive, and sustainable communities.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 — Foundations of Urban Design: Students begin developing an understanding of how cities are planned and designed through Introduction to Urban Planning and Design (URP 3000), Introduction to Visual Planning Technology (URP 4254), Site Planning (URP 4870), and Urban Design: Theories and Methods (URP 4883). They also develop spatial analysis skills through Introduction to Mapping and GIS (GIS 3015C) and progress to Advanced Visual Planning Technologies (URP 4255) and Urban Design Studio I (URP 4920).

Year 2 — Urban Systems and Applied Design: Students explore how cities evolve and how design decisions shape urban environments through City Structure and Change (URP 4055) and Plan Making and Zoning (URP 4343). They apply their knowledge in Urban Design Studio II (URP 4922), then examine sustainability and integrate their learning through Sustainable Cities (URP 4403) and the Urban Design Capstone (URP 4923).

Years 3 and 4 — Degree Completion and Specialization: Students complete the wider bachelor's degree requirements, including approved electives and free electives, while meeting university graduation requirements. Depending on their interests and course availability, electives such as Introduction to Transportation Planning (URP 4710), Environmental Planning Methods (URP 4420), Housing Policy and Planning (URP 4741), and Planning Internship (URP 4945) can help them explore related professional fields.

Focus Areas

Urban design, sustainable development, neighborhood planning, city structure and change, site planning, geographic information systems (GIS), visual planning technology, zoning, transportation planning, housing policy, environmental planning, real estate development.

Learning Outcomes

Urban design knowledge: Understand the principles and practices used to shape neighborhoods, communities, and cities.
Spatial analysis: Use mapping and GIS techniques to examine urban patterns and development challenges.
Visual communication: Apply digital planning and visualization technologies to communicate design concepts.
Sustainable development: Evaluate how urban development decisions affect environmental quality and community livability.
Planning and regulation: Understand site planning, zoning, and the relationship between urban form and policy.
Applied design: Integrate theoretical knowledge into studio projects and a final urban design capstone.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The BUD is an interdisciplinary urban design degree rather than a degree specifically identified as an accredited professional architecture qualification. Students considering careers as licensed architects should verify the separate educational and licensing requirements for their intended jurisdiction. The program's planning, spatial analysis, and design content can support further study and career development in related urban disciplines.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Florida Atlantic University highlights the program's interdisciplinary approach and its connections with practitioners and private design and consulting firms in South Florida. No verified, program-specific employability ranking or graduate employment percentage was identified for the Bachelor of Urban Design, so university-wide statistics should not be presented as outcomes for this degree.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Florida Atlantic University gives urban design students opportunities to connect design theory with the challenges of real communities. The Bachelor of Urban Design uses the South Florida metropolitan region as an “urban living laboratory,” allowing students to explore urban development in a region experiencing substantial growth and change. Students can develop technical and visual communication skills through specialist computer facilities, design software, studio work, and applied projects.

Key practical learning opportunities include:

URP Computer Classroom: A technology-enhanced teaching space with 30 computer workstations, designed for planning, GIS, data visualization, and urban design instruction.
SURP Production Studio: A dedicated workspace for producing professional-quality maps, graphics, posters, presentations, and other planning materials.
Esri ArcGIS Pro: Software for mapping, spatial analysis, and examining geographic patterns relevant to urban development.
AutoCAD: A computer-aided design tool available through departmental facilities for drawing and design-related work.
SketchUp: A digital modeling tool useful for exploring and presenting three-dimensional design concepts.
Adobe Creative Cloud: Applications including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign to support visual communication, graphic production, and presentation design.
Google Earth Pro: A geographic visualization tool for examining places and understanding their spatial context.
Urban Design Studio I and II: Core studio courses in which students develop and apply their urban design knowledge through structured design work.
Urban Design Capstone: A culminating core course that brings together knowledge and skills developed throughout the program.
Planning internship: The approved elective Planning Internship (URP 4945) offers a route to professional experience in relevant planning or urban design work. Students should confirm current eligibility and placement requirements with the department.
Professional connections: The program describes partnerships with practitioners and private design and consulting firms in South Florida, providing a connection between academic study and professional practice.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Urban Design at Florida Atlantic University can prepare students for opportunities in urban development, planning support, spatial analysis, and design-related fields. Its combination of design studios, planning theory, digital tools, and sustainability-focused learning can help graduates build skills relevant to public agencies, private consulting firms, development organizations, and further professional education.

Potential career roles:

Urban Design Assistant: Support the preparation of urban design concepts, site layouts, and development proposals.
Urban Planning Assistant: Help evaluate land use, development patterns, zoning, and community planning needs.
GIS Analyst: Use mapping and spatial data to support planning and development decisions, subject to the technical requirements of the role.
Real Estate Development Analyst: Assist with site evaluation, development research, and assessments of urban growth opportunities.

Career Development and Employment Support

Career services: FAU's Career Center provides career development resources, resume support, and guidance to help students prepare for employment.
Internship opportunities: Students can explore relevant internships through the department and pursue the approved Planning Internship elective, subject to eligibility and placement requirements.
Industry partnerships: The program identifies connections with practitioners and private design and consulting firms in South Florida, including professionals with local and international experience.
Professional preparation: Coursework in GIS, visual planning technology, site planning, and urban design studios helps students develop technical and analytical skills relevant to planning and development work.
Employment statistics and salaries: No reliable, program-specific graduate employment rate or salary figure was verified in the official university information reviewed. Actual outcomes will depend on the role, location, experience, and any additional qualifications.
Accreditation value: The university's published planning accreditation documentation identifies the Bachelor of Urban Design as not accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board. Students should distinguish this undergraduate degree from the university's accredited Master of Urban and Regional Planning program.
Graduate outcomes: The degree can provide a foundation for entry-level roles in urban development and related fields, as well as postgraduate study in planning, architecture, or landscape architecture. Certain professional positions require additional qualifications or licensing.

Further Academic Progression: Students can continue their education through FAU's Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP). The university offers an accelerated advanced-standing pathway for eligible Bachelor of Urban Design students, allowing them to take up to 12 credits of graduate core courses during their senior year; the remaining 36 master's credits can be completed in as little as 15 months after graduation. Students interested in architecture or landscape architecture can also investigate relevant graduate programs and their individual admission requirements.