Environmental Design

Program Overview

Environmental Design

Overview

The Environmental Design program at the University at Buffalo (UB) is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to create sustainable, healthy, and equitable communities. The program focuses on the built environment and its impact on society, exploring design in relationship to the natural world and social and political systems.

What will I learn?

As an environmental design major, you will study what people need (and want) in a community, exploring design at various scales, from buildings to neighborhoods to regions. You will learn about policy analysis, geographic information systems, architectural design, and environmental law, preparing you to become a community-minded designer and planner.

What can I do outside of class?

Through site visits, fieldwork, workshops, internships, and other opportunities, you will engage firsthand in projects taking place in the City of Buffalo and beyond. You will have the chance to work on real-world projects, such as redesigning streets for walkability, planning for new immigrant communities, and addressing racial inequity through neighborhood development.

• Fieldwork
• Internships
• Study Abroad
• Events

What can I do with an environmental design degree?

With an environmental design degree from UB, you can pursue a wide range of careers, including:

• Community and neighborhood development
• Construction management
• Economic development
• Educational administration
• Environmental management and restoration planning
• Geographical information systems
• Historic preservation
• Industrial development and brownfield redevelopment
• Planning for cities, counties, townships, villages, and rural areas
• Property management
• Real estate assessment and development
• Site planning and development
• Transportation analysis
• Zoning and land use

Many environmental design students also pursue graduate study in architecture, urban planning, and real estate development.

Who will I learn from?

At UB, you will work closely with faculty and peers in a collaborative, inclusive learning environment. Our faculty are pioneering scholars, known worldwide for their research in climate action, racial justice, food systems planning, sustainable development, and affordable housing. They are also global citizens with experience studying and practicing in diverse settings around the world.

Program Outline

at University at Buffalo: Detailed Extraction

Degree Overview:

Students gain expertise in policy analysis, geographic information systems, architectural design, and environmental law.

Objectives:

• Equip students with the knowledge and skills to design and plan for sustainable, healthy, and equitable communities.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive learning environment that supports intellectual development and well-being.
• Connect students with faculty, industry experts, and thought leaders through studio work, community engagement, and public lectures.

Outline:

• Focus areas: Policy analysis, geographic information systems, architectural design, environmental law.
• Scale of design: Buildings, neighborhoods, regions.
• Hands-on learning: Site visits, fieldwork, workshops, internships, projects in Buffalo.
• Potential modules: Design studio, policy analysis, environmental law, GIS, sustainable development, community engagement.

Assessment:

• Studio work: Projects, design proposals, presentations.
• Exams and quizzes: Assessing knowledge of course material.
• Papers and reports: Analyzing and communicating design concepts.
• Fieldwork and internships: Demonstrating practical skills and application of knowledge.

Teaching:

Faculty:

The program boasts pioneering scholars renowned for their research in climate action, racial justice, food systems planning, sustainable development, and affordable housing. They possess global experience, having studied and practiced in diverse settings worldwide.

Unique approaches:

The program encourages hands-on learning through site visits, fieldwork, workshops, and internships. This allows students to engage with real-world projects and communities in Buffalo, addressing issues like walkability, immigrant communities, and neighborhood development.

Careers:

Graduates pursue diverse careers in fields related to environmental design, including:

• Community and neighborhood development
• Construction management
• Economic development
• Educational administration
• Environmental management and restoration planning
• Geographical information systems
• Historic preservation
• Industrial development and brownfield redevelopment
• Planning (cities, counties, townships, villages, rural areas)
• Property management
• Real estate assessment and development
• Site planning and development
• Transportation analysis
• Zoning and land use

Further research or contacting the program directly is recommended.

Other:

• The program boasts the largest study abroad program at UB, allowing students to gain international experience.
• Students participate in an annual Career Trek NYC, connecting with employers, alumni, and project sites throughout the city.