Yesterday, the Temple University Board of Trustees voted to approve name changes to our department, and to our Master’s Degree. We are now the Department of Planning and Community Development, with a MS in City and Regional Planning.
While this might seem like a minor change, it reflects the exciting changes our department and program have made over the past few years. Over half the world’s population lives in cities right now, with that expected to reach two-thirds by 2050. Learning how to create and foster sustainable communities has always been our program’s focus; now we are making it clear that most of that work will be in cities over the coming decades.
Our department’s name change also highlights our commitment to equitable development, here in Philadelphia, across the Commonwealth, and in cities throughout the world. Our practice-focused BS in Community Development trains future professionals, and I am proud of the work our students are already doing. We know that this field will continue to grow, and Temple graduates will lead the way.