Ph.D. in Design and Planning
Description and Objectives
The Ph.D. in Design and Planning from University of Colorado Denver trains scholars for careers in higher education, research, and high-level policy positions. It is a research-oriented doctoral degree with a flexible, interdisciplinary focus. Students actively draw from the rich intellectual resources of the University of Colorado campuses in both Denver and Boulder for classes, personalized instruction, teaching opportunities, and research appointments. Graduates of the program work in universities, government, non-profits and the private sector, both in the U.S. and around the world.
Planning and design form a well-established and expanding field of knowledge and practice regarding the relationships of natural, behavioral, technological, political, economic, and cultural factors to the organization of physical space, and their combined influence on the quality of life in general. Housed within the College, the Departments of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Planning and Design share the idea that the complex problems of the built environment are best addressed through collaboration among the various design and planning disciplines. As a result of this collaboration, the departments jointly offer the advanced research degree, a Ph.D. in Design and Planning.
Areas of Specialization
The Ph.D. program serves as the intellectual driver of the College of Architecture and Planning; its mission is to provide a scientific foundation for planning and design. Unique and distinguishing characteristics include the physical environment as the domain of interest, the interdisciplinary and integrative orientation of study, and the applied nature of prescriptions. Being broad in its offerings, available study covers issues ranging from highly technical urban modeling to the history of architecture. Students in the program are encouraged to embrace tenets embodied in one of the following areas of specialization. Each broad specialization area is represented by its own core curricula specific to the domains of expertise and faculty interests; in exceptional circumstances, advanced study on a related topic (e.g., historic preservation, green buildings) is available to bridge the two specialty areas.
Sustainable and Healthy Environments (SHE)
Studies in SHE are concerned with the design making by public agencies to guide the pattern and timing of land development that advance goals of Sustainable and Healthy Environments. Sub-fields include land use planning, growth management, transportation, urban design, housing and community development, environmental planning and management of urban, rural and natural areas. Primary work in this area focuses on land use controls, design review processes, and the development of models and tools to understand and support decision processes and design practices. Please see faculty expertise for more information.
History of Architecture, Landscape, and Urbanism (HALU)
Studies in HALU include the history and theory of architecture, landscape, and urbanism considered within socio-economic and political contexts, intellectual history and cultural studies, as well as questions concerning the evolution of technology, technique, and materiality. Interdisciplinary and cross-cultural collaboration is encouraged. In this manner, the disparate range of ideologies and methodologies within the discipline itself are introduced. It is critical for the contemporary scholar and teacher to be aware of the tradition of strategies and perspectives in order to operate in an intellectually responsible manner in the present. A background in a professional design field is desirable for all applicants. Please see faculty expertise for more information.
As part of studies in either specialty area, students work on diverse topics, advancing the intellectual environment of the College by participating in a common colloquia, organizing workshops, presenting at conferences, and writing publications.