Bachelor in Urban and Regional Planning

Urban and Regional Planning studies how cities and regions grow and function, covering land use planning, transportation systems, housing policy, and the social and economic forces that shape urban development. Students study planning theory, urban design, geographic information systems, and planning law, alongside coursework in economics and sociology that helps explain the forces driving urbanization and regional change. The curriculum typically combines analytical coursework, such as demographic and spatial data analysis, with design-oriented studio work in which students develop plans for neighborhoods, cities, or regions. Topics commonly include zoning and land use regulation, housing and infrastructure planning, transportation networks, and the environmental and social impacts of urban growth. Students learn to use mapping and spatial analysis tools to evaluate development patterns and propose planning interventions, while also engaging with the policy and governance processes through which planning decisions are made and implemented. As the program advances, coursework often addresses topics such as sustainable urban development, disaster and risk management in cities, and regional economic development strategies. Graduates typically pursue careers in municipal and regional planning agencies, urban design firms, transportation planning organizations, and housing and infrastructure development roles. This 4-year bachelor's program is taught in English at Istanbul Technical University in Istanbul, Turkey, one of the world's largest and most rapidly developing cities, offering direct exposure to complex urban planning challenges throughout the four-year curriculum.