
This is the first version of the 2025–26 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
The minor in urban studies is highly relevant to students interested in addressing emerging and persistent issues in cities of the 21st century, including climate change, environmental conservation, sustainable development, mobility and access, housing affordability, public health, and economic prosperity—each of which has local, urban, and regional dimensions.
The undergraduate minor in urban studies requires 15 s.h. of coursework taken at the University of Iowa. Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 3.00 in work for the minor. Coursework in the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass.
The minor in urban studies requires the following coursework.
Core Course
The core course provides an introduction to urban studies, policies, and practices.
Course # | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
This course: | ||
URP:3001/SEES:3920 | Planning Livable Cities | 3 |
Electives
Course # | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
At least 12 s.h. from these: | ||
URP:2020/PBAF:2020 | Environment and Society: Sustainability, Policy, and Politics | 3 |
URP:2056/PBAF:2056 | The Splendor of Cities | 3 |
URP:3134/ECON:3640 | Regional and Urban Economics | 3 |
URP:3350/ECON:3750/SEES:3940 | Transportation Economics | 3 |
URP:4001 | Foundations of Community Engagement | 1 |
URP:4225/PBAF:4225 | Applied GIS for Planning and Policy Making | 3 |
URP:4243 | The Land Development Process | 3 |
URP:4245 | Growth Management | 3 |
URP:4253/PBAF:4253 | Designing Sustainable and Healthy Cities (3 s.h. recommended) | 1-3 |
URP:4256/PBAF:4256 | Environmental Policy | 3 |
URP:4260/PBAF:4260 | Transportation Policy and Planning | 3 |
URP:4262/CEE:4176 | Transportation Research Methods and Analysis | 3 |
URP:4266/PBAF:4266 | Transportation, Urban Form, and Sustainability | 3 |
URP:4271 | Housing Policy | 3 |
URP:4273/PBAF:4273 | Community Development Through Creative Placemaking | 3 |
URP:4280/PBAF:4280 | Planning for Disaster Mitigation and Recovery (3 s.h. recommended) | 2-3 |
URP:4295 | Economic Development Policy | 3 |
URP:4297/PBAF:4297 | Financing Economic Development for Poverty Alleviation | 3 |
PBAF:3560/POLI:3560/RHET:3560/SJUS:3560 | Public Policy and Persuasion | 3 |
PBAF:3570/GHS:3570/POLI:3570 | Poverty Policy | 3 |
CRIM:4120 | Environmental Criminology | 3 |
HIST:3114 | Divided Cities: Global Histories of Segregation | 3 |
Students may declare the minor in MyUI as soon as they are enrolled in URP:3001 Planning Livable Cities.
Those interested in pursuing the minor must meet with the minor advisor, be briefed on the minor expectations for performance, and complete a plan of study that must be approved by the minor advisor.
For more information, contact the School of Planning and Public Affairs.