Urban Affairs and Planning

About the Department

The Department of Urban Affairs and Planning is a department within the School of Arts and Sciences at Hunter College. The department offers two graduate degrees, an accredited Master in Urban Planning degree, and a Master of Science in Urban Affairs degree. Both programs combine theory and practice in order to provide students with an in-depth understanding and appreciation of urban planning and policy. The department also offers an undergraduate urban studies major that prepares students for higher education and careers in public service.

Since its creation by advocacy planner Paul Davidoff, in 1965, the department has consistently upheld a vision of urban affairs and planning as a multi-disciplinary field. In keeping with this vision, the department’s 12 full-time faculty members represent a wide range of disciplines including architecture, economics, political science, public policy, social work, urban planning, and public health. They collectively bring a wealth of academic and professional expertise to their teaching. The program also benefits greatly from a distinguished part-time faculty who bring practical experience and knowledge in both public and non-profit sectors into the classroom.

Urban Affairs Programs and Courses

Programs and Courses in Urban Affairs and Planning

The Center for Community Planning & Development

The Center for Community Planning & Development (CCPD) promotes knowledge, applied research, and innovative practice in community planning and development throughout the New York metropolitan region. It provides technical assistance and training through partnerships with community-based organizations, non-profit corporations, and local agencies. The CCPD is committed to democratic, inclusive, and participatory approaches to planning and development that foster sustainability and economic and social justice. The Center is a venue for community/university partnerships where community members, students, and academics learn and benefit from each other. Center projects have addressed affordable housing, community economic development, healthy communities, workforce development, immigration, environmental justice, and other issues of concern to communities in the New York region.

Urban Affairs/Urban Planning Fellowships and Grants

The Department of Urban Affairs and Planning has a limited amount of financial aid. It includes the Donald G. Sullivan Scholarship, the Robert C. Weaver Scholarship, the James Felt Scholarship, the Hans Spiegel Scholarship, and the Marilyn and Herbert Hyman Scholarship, awarded to selected students pursuing a master’s degree in urban affairs or urban planning. For information write to: Chair, Department of Urban Affairs and Planning, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065.

Administration and Faculty

Department Office:

1611 West
(212) 772-5518
Website: http://maxweber.hunter.cuny.edu/urban

Chair:

Peter Kwong (Acting)
1616 West
(212) 772-5598
pkwong@hunter.cuny.edu

Graduate Advisers:

John Chin, Graduate Urban Planning Program Director and Adviser
1611 West
(212) 772-5603
john.chin@hunter.cuny.edu

Owen Gutfreund, Graduate Program in Urban Affairs Program Director and Adviser
1611 West
(212) 396-6248
owen.gutfreund@hunter.cuny.edu

Faculty

Thomas Angotti, Professor; PhD, Rutgers; Community Planning and Development, Environment, International

John Chin, Associate Professor, Director of the Urban Planning (MUP) Program; PhD, Columbia; Community Participation, Urban Health, Immigrant Communities and Non-profits

Jill Simone Gross, Assistant Professor; PhD, CUNY; Comparative International Urban Planning, Policy and Development, Citizen Participation

Owen Gutfreund, Associate Professor, Director Urban Affairs Program (MS); PhD Columbia; Transportation Policy, Suburbanization, Sustainable Development, Public Finance and Comparative Urbanization

Peter Kwong, Distinguished Professor; PhD, Columbia; Asian-American Studies, Immigration, Documentary Film and Activist Journalism

Matthew G. Lasner, Assistant Professor; PhD, Harvard; Housing, Urban Renewal and Urban Development

Lynn E. McCormick, Associate Professor; PhD, MIT; Community and Economy Development, Employment Policy and Workforce Development, Policy Analysis

Edwin Melendez, Associate Professor, Director of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies; PhD, Massachusetts, Amherst; Latino Studies, Economic Development, Labor Markets and Poverty

Susan Turner Meiklejohn, Associate Professor; PhD, Michigan; Planning for Multiethnic Neighborhoods, Planning History and Theory, Housing, Urban Design

William J. Milczarski, AICP, Associate Professor; PhD, Michigan; Director, Urban Planning Program; Transportation, Environmental Policy, Methodology

Stanley Moses, Professor; PhD, Syracuse; Education, Employment, Planning Theory

Laxmi Ramasubramanian, AICP, Associate Professor; PhD, Wisconsin-Milwaukee: Architecture and Urban Planning; Urban Design, GIS, Participatory Planning and Community Development, South Asia

Sigmund C. Shipp, Assistant Professor, Director of the Urban Studies (BA) Program; PhD, Cornell; Economic Development, Urban Theory, Development Planning

Joseph P. Viteritti, Thomas Hunter Professor of Public Policy and Department Chair, PhD, CUNY; Public Policy, Urban Governance, Education Policy

Elaine M. Walsh, MSW, CSW, Associate Professor; PhD, Fordham; Director, Public Service Scholar Program; Social Policy, Strategic Planning, Nonprofits, Philanthropy, Youth and Education, Women and Leadership