About the Program

The PhD in Regional Development Planning is a distinctive doctoral degree in planning. Most doctoral degrees in planning in the United States cover broad fields. The University of Cincinnati School of Planning program stresses the interdisciplinary analysis and solution to the economic development problems of inner cities and metropolitan areas. Moreover, the program approaches regional development planning using the principles of sustainable development, essential to sound management of the Earth's limited resources.

The purpose of this doctoral program is to educate and train regional development planning researchers, scholars and high-level practitioners and policy makers. Consequently, students will be able to contribute to the generation of new knowledge and the education of regional development planning professionals, as well as participate in the development and implementation of regional development policies and programs. Attention is focused on growth management, economic development opportunity enhancement, utilization of analytical tools for effective and efficient development programs and strategies, as well as the understanding and evaluation of federal and state and local policies aimed at improving the conditions of metropolitan areas through regional development planning.