The Regional Planning minor introduces students to the field of planning and its vital aspects of creating, improving, and sustaining communities, cities, and regions. It provides students with knowledge of how cities and regions function and how they can be transformed through planning, public policy, design, and social action. While it cannot convey the full scope of regional planning, the minor is an excellent addition to many other degree programs and majors at Westfield State.
Topics Covered
Students in the Regional Planning minor learn about planning as a profession and an academic discipline that makes important contributions to communities, and to society at large, through planning processes. Planning as a civic activity and its specific social, economic and ecological concerns are highlighted. The importance of planning in different contexts—local, regional and international—are also stressed. Students also learn about planning methodologies, including master plans, geographic information systems (GIS), site planning, data collection and analysis.
Outcomes
Students become aware of the needs of cities and towns and how planners work to address these needs through geographic analysis and public input
Students become aware of career opportunities as professional planners and related job opportunities