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.