From the Chair

Dear Friends and Visitors,

Hello from Chapel Hill and welcome to UNC’s Department of City and Regional Planning (DCRP)!

As chair of the Department, it is my privilege to share with you some of the exciting developments and milestones that have recently shaped our community. These achievements reflect the dedication of our faculty, students, alumni, staff, and partners, and underscore our commitment to advancing the field of planning.

Expanding Opportunities for Undergraduate Students. Our undergraduate minor continues to grow, attracting students from across the university who are eager to engage with the principles and practices of city and regional planning. Additionally, many of our courses are now eligible to fulfill a variety of general education requirements, broadening their relevance and accessibility to undergraduates from diverse disciplines. These changes reflect our belief in the importance of integrating planning education into a wide array of academic pursuits across, and beyond, the University.

Advancing Urban Analytics and Data Science. In collaboration with the University’s new data science undergraduate programs, we have expanded our focus on urban analytics. This initiative equips students with cutting-edge tools and methodologies to address complex urban challenges, ensuring they are prepared to lead responsibly in an increasingly data-driven world.

Enhancing Resources for Our Graduate Programs. We have made significant strides in expanding resources and funding for our master’s program, enhancing the support available to our talented students. At the same time, our PhD program continues to thrive, with graduates securing positions in the planning academy, and beyond. These successes reflect our unwavering commitment to academic excellence and professional development.

Strategic Growth and Faculty Excellence. Our department is soon to grow to 20 full-time faculty members, nearly half of whom have joined us since 2017! This infusion of new talent brings fresh perspectives and energy, which we are leveraging through ongoing strategic planning to ensure that we are having the biggest impact possible. Together, our faculty are advancing innovative research and teaching that address the most pressing issues facing cities and regions in North Carolina and around the world.

Celebrating Milestones and Building Connections. We are preparing to celebrate two significant anniversaries: the 50th anniversary of the Carolina Planning Journal in 2025 and the 80th anniversary of DCRP in 2026. These milestones provide an opportunity to reflect on our rich history and to strengthen connections with our alumni, whose accomplishments and support are integral to our success.

Improving Our Facilities and Community. Recent improvements to our building have created a more vibrant and collaborative environment for students, faculty, and staff. Building visitors are not only met with a recently (2020) installed elevator, but, as the spring goes on, they will also gradually encounter a refreshed lobby and central core of New East Hall, replete with new flooring, paint, décor, furniture, and lighting. The entrances and exterior of the building are scheduled for renovation over the next year (2025-2026). Projects to refresh the Chapin Reading Room, renovate spaces for teaching assistants and PhD students, and incorporate better AV technology and meeting spaces throughout the building are being planned. These upgrades will ensure that our department remains a hub for innovation and engagement.

To our alumni: The doors of New East are always open to you! If you’re around campus, stop in, say hello, and have a look around. We hope you will like the updates, but also that you will also recognize New East as an old friend.

Looking Ahead. While we bid farewell to the Center for Urban and Regional Studies, its legacy continues to inspire our work. This year (2024-2025), we have established a new Community Engagement Lab, aimed at continuing the tradition of community-engaged scholarship that has been a hallmark of DCRP’s scholarship. As we look to the future, we remain committed to advancing the field of planning through rigorous research, impactful teaching, enhanced connections to our alumni network, and meaningful engagement with communities.

Thank you for your continued support and interest in DCRP. Together, we are shaping the future of planning and making a lasting impact on the world around us. We invite you to stay connected and join us in celebrating the achievements and milestones ahead.

Warm regards,
Todd BenDor
Distinguished Professor of Sustainable Community Design
Chair, Department of City and Regional Planning