Ecological Planning, Certificate

Interest in ecological planning has been increasing in recent years along with the growing awareness of the impacts of climate change on the world’s ecosystems, wildlife, and human settlements. The availability of water and the management of storm water and wastewater have become critical issues in planning for the future of human settlements. Of paramount importance is for students to understand the role of natural cycles (hydrologic, carbon, nitrogen, etc.) and the varying carrying capacity of different landscapes to support human settlements. Jobs in sustainability are becoming popular both in the public sector (e.g., Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability) and in the private sector (e.g, environmental compliance officers and consulting firms). The Certificate in Ecological Planning draws on courses within the Weitzman School of Design, the Environmental Studies Program, and other Schools to offer students an interdisciplinary approach to Ecological Planning.