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About Us

spartyOur Background...

Urban Planning Partnerships (UPP) is an outreach initiative within Michigan State University's Urban and Regional Planning Program. The MSU Urban and Regional Planning Program, over 50 years old, trains graduate and undergraduate student planners. Along with the Landscape Architecture Program, it is located within the School of Planning, Design and Construction, which is part of the Colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Social Science. Urban Planning Partnerships is sponsored in part by Urban Collaborators, an initiative based within MSU Extension.


 

 

Our Mission...lansing redevelopment

To bring timely research in planning issues to Michigan's communities, in a way that supports community and economic development in cities and neighborhoods and at the same time facilitates the practical learning experience of Michigan State University students in the Urban and Regional Planning Program and allied fields.

 

 

census block group map

Our Objectives...

  • To improve local capacity to stimulate and enhance the quality of community life.
  • To assist communities in their efforts to leverage grant funds and other resources.
  • To specifically focus upon the challenges of distressed communities by providing planning assistance.
  • To provide pragmatic technical assistance to communities.
  • To expose communities to innovative international planning ideas.
  • To provide a high quality professional experience for MSU students in the planning profession.
  • To further the impact of MSU Extension in urban areas in Michigan, by building linkages between academic resources and community needs.

 

 

Our Services...student working on walker buildout

Here are examples of what our students can do:

  • EVALUATE CURRENT CONDITIONS in the community, such as land use, building structures, business and housing conditions, demographics, transportation patterns, physical environment, etc.
  • PROVIDE PRACTICAL ASSESSMENTS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, such as retail market analyses, site feasibility studies, and regional trend assessments.
  • HELP FACILITATE CITIZEN DECISIONS about best directions for future community development.
  • SUGGEST ACTION STRATEGIES THAT COULD BE IMPLEMENTED such as neighborhood revitalization strategies, downtown development strategies and area economic development plans.
  • SUGGEST DEVELOPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS for improving communities' land use patterns. We can help develop master plans or site plans, or we can suggest improvements for neighborhoods, housing development projects, or commercial development projects.