Environmental Design

Program Overview

The Environmental Design B.A. at the University at Buffalo prepares students to become community-minded designers and planners, with a focus on sustainability, equity, and collaboration. The program emphasizes hands-on learning through studio work, fieldwork, and internships, and offers a wide range of career opportunities in fields related to environmental design, including community development, planning, and real estate.

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.