Urban Studies Program – Undergraduate Minor

Urban Studies is an interdisciplinary field of study that deals with social and societal developments in urban settings. Historically, cities have functioned as the cradle of civilization. Modern politics, economies, and cultures have all been conceived in urban environments. In today’s world, the majority of people live in cities and they continue to be the source of broad-based social change. Present-day cities also present us with some the greatest challenges such as sustainable growth, equality, and civil and humane relations. Standard topics in the field of Urban Studies include the historical emergence of cities, urban form and ecology, the cultural impact of cities, urban networks, economic and political geographies of cities, urban effects of globalization, and urban planning and management.

Urban Studies as an academic field has existed for a long time but in recent years it has become increasingly popular and many universities have started offering minor and major programs of study. The growing importance of the field is often related to the following trends:

• More than 50% of the global population resides in cities, and the urban population continues to grow.
• The bulk of the global economy is of an urban nature (consumer and producer services, information, finance, etc.).
• Major world cities have become the seats of power in the global economy.
• The human habitat is increasingly one of urban environments and questions of urban sustainable development and urban planning are steadily making their way to the top of the agenda of development planners.
• The emergence of urban regions, around the world, raises important and urgent questions of governance and public policy.
• Culturally, urban living and lifestyles are becoming the norm for most people and individual identities and definitions of citizenship are increasingly forged in urban contexts.

Our University is located in one of the fastest growing urban regions of the nation and one with global allure. Greater Miami has emerged as a major global city and it is often considered as a forward experiment of urbanization. The Minor in Urban Studies will allow you to be part of an innovative field of study in which your work in the classroom links directly to the “real world” experience in Miami and other cities.