Go beyond urban planning and learn to tackle the environmental and social challenges facing the world's urban, rural, and natural areas. Learn how to manage the growth of cities, design efficient transportation systems, protect parks and other natural areas, preserve heritage, and more.This multidisciplinary program covers everything from economic and legal issues to design skills, land development, and GIS technology. Whether you choose to put your degree to work for government, academia, or the private sector, you'll be ready to create a sustainable future through smart planning.Because this is a co op program, you’ll graduate with 20 months of paid real world experience. Use your five co op work terms to explore the many areas within planning so that when you graduate, you have a network of potential employers and you know which career areas you'd like to pursue.The Urban Design Specialization acknowledges the student's competence in design and prepares them for work in public and private practice. Urban design focuses on the look and feel of our communities. An urban designer might be part of creating, for example, public squares, urban streetscapes, or urban parks. This Specialization also provides a sound foundation for graduate studies in urban design.
Study options
Full Time
(4 Years)
Tuition fees
CAD$51,000.00 (30,92,971)
per year
Residence fee-Traditional Double Room Fall 8758, Spring 5847, Winter 5847
Application deadline
30/01/2026
Start date
September 2026
Venue
Waterloo Main Campus
200 University Avenue West,
Waterloo,
Ontario,
N2L 3G1, Central Canada, Canada
Entry requirements
For international students
Official/Unofficial High School Transcripts Required. Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses includingAny Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of 75% is required)Admission averages: Low 80sInternational Baccalaureate- HL or SL English A minimum 4 or HL English B minimum 5; total 27
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.