Department of Urban Studies and Planning

Good morning everyone!

The Department of Urban Studies and Planning would like to remind you that we have a new official social media page, our Instagram: csunurbanstudies

If you would like stay updated and support us, please follow our Instagram as it is currently growing and will be where we share lots of information in the future!

(The collage is made up of previous posts on our Instagram page.)

Good afternoon everyone! We would like to bring attention to the speaker event we will be having tomorrow on campus at 4pm. The event is available for all Urban Studies and Planning majors, minors, and graduate students. The event is located in the newly constructed Maple Hall (room 301) and we would love to have you join us! For any questions please stop by our office today or tomorrow (Sierra Hall 220).

Welcome to the official page of the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at CSUN! Here, through multiple posts every week, you will be able to find information about upcoming events, scholarship opportunities, course registration dates, and other helpful resources. Follow us to stay updated with important department information and feel free to contact our office at: 818-677-2904 or [email protected] if you have any questions.

The Department of Urban Studies and Planning at California State University, Northridge is seeking part-time lecturers to teach a range of courses from introductory to upper division for
2024-2025 academic year.

Complete details on courses and positions can be found on the department's website at https://www.csun.edu/social-behavioral-
sciences/urban-studies-planning/employment-opportunities

Interested applicants must submit a current resume and a cover letter which describes their qualifications and designates the specific courses they are interested in teaching. The applicants are expected to be residents of the State of California at the time of the appointment.
Application deadline is March 22, 2024.

The Department of Urban Studies and Planning at California State University, Northridge is seeking part-time lecturers to teach a range of courses from introductory to upper division for 2024-2025 academic year.

Complete details on courses and positions can be found on the department's website at
https://www.csun.edu/social-behavioral-sciences/urban-studies-planning/employment-opportunities

Interested applicants must submit a current resume and a cover letter which describes their qualifications and designates the specific courses they are interested in teaching. The applicants are expected to be residents of the State of California at the time of the appointment.

Application deadline is March 22, 2024.

Urban Studies & Planning The mission of the Department of Urban Studies and Planning is to prepare students, at both the undergraduate and graduate level, for professional careers in urban studies and planning. In addition, the department seeks to provide a broad based educational experience, set in the context of the socia...

The Department of Urban Studies and Planning at California State University, Northridge is seeking a part-time lecturers to teach a range of courses from introductory to upper division for 2023-2024 academic year. Complete details on courses and positions can be found on the department's website at https://www.csun.edu/social-behavioral-sciences/urban-studies-planning/employment-opportunities.

Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and up-to-date resume. In your cover letter, please indicate the specific course (name and course number) for which you wish to be considered. The applicants are expected to be residents of the State of California at the time of the appointment.

Application deadline is March 10, 2023.

The Department of Urban Studies and Planning at California State University, Northridge is seeking part-time lecturers for 2022-2023 academic year, to teach a range of courses, from introductory to upper division.

Complete details on courses and positions can be found on the department's website at http://www.csun.edu/social-behavioral-sciences/urban-studies-planning/employment-opportunities

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and a resume or curriculum vitae. In your cover letter, please indicate the specific course (name and course number) for which you wish to be considered.

Application deadline is March 11, 2022.

Inquiries and applications should be addressed to
Dr. Rob Kent, Department Chair.
Via e-mail to [Email hidden] and cc: [Email hidden]
Telephone: 818-677-2904

Dr. Mintesnot Woldeamanuel has been awarded the Academic Affairs Research Fellow for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences for 2022-2023 academic year. Research Fellows receive a significant cash award to cover research expenses and are also reassigned from teaching and other duties to research, allowing them to focus intensively on their research during the course of the academic year. Dr. Woldeamanuel’ s project is called the “Built Environment Disparity: Assessing the Impact of Urban Design on Active Living across Different Socio-economic Groups in Los Angeles.” The results of the research will help inform policy makers and contribute to an improvement of “active living” opportunities for the regions residents.
Congratulations Dr. Woldeamanuel!

This past weekend urban studies and planning students and urban planning graduate students celebrated their accomplishments and walked across that graduation stage. Below are a couple of photos of our graduates and faculty members during the ceremony. We are immensely proud of all of our graduating students and can't wait to see all the great things you will accomplish.

Again, Congrats Class of 2022!

Department of Urban Studies and Planning Graduation Dinner

After two years of having virtual graduation celebrations we were excited when the opportunity presented itself to celebrate our students in person. On Thursday, May 19th the department hosted our annual graduation dinner at The Odyssey Restaurant. URBS students, MUP students, family, faculty, and staff came together to celebrate and reflect on the 2021-22 academic year. We also had the opportunity to present scholarship awards to some of our exceptional students. We are looking forward to watching URBS students walk across that stage tomorrow!

Congratulations class of 2022! 🥳

Dr. Michael Mendez (BA ’01) has been named a 2022 Andrew Carnegie Fellow. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Environmental Policy and Planning at the University of California, Irvine. The Andrew Carnegie Fellows Program provides philanthropic support for scholarship in the humanities and social sciences that addresses important and enduring issues confronting our society. This award is for a period of up to two years and provides fellows with the funding to complete a major study or book. Dr. Mendez will be using this award toward a project titled “Undocumented Disasters: (In) visible Communities Confronting Climate Change and Environmental Injustice”. He is investigating how climate-induced disasters intensify social inequities among undocumented Latino/a and Indigenous migrants. You can read more about Dr. Michael Mendez's journey on the Andrew Carnegie website here https://www.carnegie.org/awards/honoree/michael-mendez/.

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (CSBS) Student Success Impact Award

One of our own URBS students, Juan Lopez, received the student success impact award from the college of social and behavioral sciences. Our faculty member, Dr. Craig Olwert, was also honored with the student success impact award in honor of his significant contribution to student success. We are so happy that Juan and Dr. Olwert received recognition for their hard work.

Hello!

This is a friendly reminder that we are still accepting applications for the Masters of Urban Planning program. The deadline for the Fall 2022 cohort is Friday, May 27th, 2022.

The Master of Urban Planning provides a broad based education in urban planning, especially as it is practiced in the State of California, where a wide range of state laws and mandates have created a planning environment which is distinct from its practice in much of the rest of the United States. The degree’s curriculum is thoroughly grounded in the academic and applied dimensions of the profession. Classroom experience emphasizes key theoretical aspects of urban planning, while practical exercises and field experiences address how planning problems are addressed at the local and regional level.

The 36 credit-unit master’s degree in urban planning is designed to be completed in two calendar years. The degree program is cohort driven with new class cohorts beginning each year in the fall semester.

This degree is designed especially to serve the needs of working students and professionals. Classes are scheduled for evenings and Saturdays and are scheduled sequentially over the course of the two year program. It is intended that the students receive as much exposure to different professional planning environments as possible through field experiences and assignments in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
To learn more about the application process visit our website at: https://www.csun.edu/.../urban.../master-urban-planning

The Department of Urban Studies and Planning is excited to announce its “call for scholarship applications” for Spring 2022. Generous donations and gifts from the department’s alumni over the years have funded several scholarships specifically for majors and graduate students.

This year the department will offer up to of 20, $1000 scholarships for majors and graduate students. There are five department scholarships available for students to receive. You only have to complete one application to be considered for all of the scholarships. The application deadline is Friday, March 25th, 2022.

Please do not be shy! Apply for these departmental scholarships. Remember, only majors and graduate students from the department qualify to apply. So the odds for scholarship applicants are pretty good. Please visit the department website (https://www.csun.edu/social-behavioral-sciences/urban-studies-planning/scholarships-0) to learn more about the application process.

If you have questions, please give us a call at (818) 677-2904 or email [email protected].

Scholarships Urban Studies and Planning Scholarships2021 - 2022 Department Scholarships: NOW OPEN!  All department scholarships are open to undergraduate majors in urban studies and planning and/or graduate students enrolled in the department's master of urban planning program. To apply please submit an up-to-...

Matadors, we know you are prepared and we have the utmost confidence that you will finish the semester strong. We are rooting for you and are here if you need any support!

One of our students, Juan Lopez, was nominated to attend the California Transportation Foundation (CTF) Education Symposium in Sacramento, CA this past November. This symposium is a gathering of California’s top university students and high level transportation executives. The symposium lasts for two days and consists of hands-on workshops for students and professionals alike. Students are paired with mentors for one-on-one coaching and have the opportunity to network with other professionals in the industry.

Additionally, student teams are formed to compete in a real-world RFP scenario while professionals role play stakeholders and decision-makers. We are thrilled that Juan had the opportunity to attend and learn more about the field of transportation planning. To learn more about the California Transportation Foundation and the next education symposium please visit their website at: https://www.the-ctf.org/

Dr. Olwert and a handful of undergraduate Urban Studies and Planning students attended CicLAvia’s Heart of LA event in downtown LA. CicLAvia is a “non-profit that catalyzes vibrant public spaces, active transportation, and good health through car-free streets.” They engage with people to transform their relationship with their community and with each other. Inspired by Bogota’s weekly ciclovia, CicLAvia temporarily closes streets to car traffic and opens them to Angeleno’s to use as a public park. This event is free for all and creates a safe space to bike, walk, skate, roll, and dance through LA County.

Our URBS crew took to the streets and made their way to the downtown LA to participate in a variety of activities that CicLAvia offered. At the event there were a variety of businesses giving away free helmets, gift bags, and treats. They also had REI tech tents where bikes could get free adjustments. The next CicLAvia event will be held on Sunday, December 5th at 9 am in South LA. If you would like to learn more about this event and organization, please check out their website: https://www.ciclavia.org/.

Our students continue to excel inside and outside of the classroom. Rebecca Swint, a senior in our department, is an example of this. She was awarded the Stanley R. Hoffman Memorial Scholarship by the California Planning Foundation. The California Planning Foundation (CPF) supports outstanding planning students across the state of California who are entering their final year of an eligible undergraduate or graduate degree program. This scholarship is sponsored in honor of Stan Hoffman who was an original member of the California Planning Roundtable (CPR), past CPF President, past Planner Emeritus Network (PEN) President, and active member of the Chapter.

If you want to read more about Rebecca’s award or learn more about the California Planning Foundation, please visit their website https://californiaplanningfoundation.org/2021-2022-scholarship-recipients/. Congratulations Rebecca, we wish you good luck as you finish your last year of undergrad!

Hello! This is a friendly reminder that we are now accepting applications for the Masters of Urban Planning program. The priority deadline for the Fall 2022 cohort is March 4th, 2022.

The Master of Urban Planning provides a broad based education in urban planning, especially as it is practiced in the State of California, where a wide range of state laws and mandates have created a planning environment which is distinct from its practice in much of the rest of the United States. The degree’s curriculum is thoroughly grounded in the academic and applied dimensions of the profession. Classroom experience emphasizes key theoretical aspects of urban planning, while practical exercises and field experiences address how planning problems are addressed at the local and regional level.

The 36 credit-unit master’s degree in urban planning is designed to be completed in two calendar years. The degree program is cohort driven with new class cohorts beginning each year in the fall semester.

This degree is designed especially to serve the needs of working students and professionals. Classes are scheduled for evenings and Saturdays and are scheduled sequentially over the course of the two year program. It is intended that the students receive as much exposure to different professional planning environments as possible through field experiences and assignments in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

To learn more about the application process visit our website at: https://www.csun.edu/social-behavioral-sciences/urban-studies-planning/master-urban-planning

We are excited to announce that Afriat Consulting Group (AGC) appointed alumna, Diana Yedoyan (‘15) as vice president. Diana received her B.A. in Urban Studies and Planning in 2013 and a M.P.A. with an emphasis in Urban Studies in 2015. Before this position she spent over five years at Los Angeles City Hall, working with the councilmembers in downtown on legislative, land use, and policy issues. Subsequently, Diana joined the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce as the vice president for public policy and economic development. At AGC Diana will use over a decade of political experience to assist the firm’s clients in navigating the political and bureaucratic intricacies of Los Angeles City Hall and the Los Angeles County Hall of Administration.

“Since its founding in 1985, ACG has entitled more than 14.7 million square feet of real estate, won over $2.1 billion in municipal contracts and permits for clients and achieved passage of $2 billion worth of bond measures for the City of Los Angeles. The firm is routinely recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the County’s Top 10 firms specializing in political representation, lobbying, land use consulting, community outreach and public relations. ACG represents Fortune 500 companies, international, national, local, and boutique real estate development firms, non-profits, government contractors, small businesses and others throughout Greater Los Angeles.”

To read more about the Afriat Consulting Group and Diana’s role visit the ACG website: (http://afriat.com/team/). Congratulations Diana!