Community Design (BCD)
Sustainable communities that enhance quality of life.
Why choose this program?
Community Design (Planning) is for students who care about the future well-being of our cities and communities. You'll learn to plan better living environments and give communities the tools to grow and change through real-life, hands-on experiences, and you'll do all of this while keeping sustainability and the environment in mind.
Admission requirements
Minimum admission requirements
To be considered for admission to this program, you must meet minimum academic criteria:
- Completion of secondary school (Grade 12)
- Achievement of the minimum average for your program of choice.
- Completion of Grade 12 English (or equivalent course).
Admission to many Dalhousie programs is competitive. This means that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Program-specific admission requirements
Minimum overall average: 70%
Academic English 12
Academic Math 12
One academic Science 12 subject
Two additional academic subjects
Financial information
A university education is a significant financial investment. Every student is unique, and so are their financial circumstances. We offer competitive tuition, a robust scholarship and bursary program, and resources and support to help you explore financial options and develop a plan that works for you.
Program options
Through a mixture of lectures, seminars, and studio courses, you will learn the foundational theories of planning rooted in the natural and social sciences. You will work in a collegial and cooperative atmosphere with small class sizes and place-based learning.
The honours option will provide you with experiential learning opportunities to prepare you for professional planning work.
The School of Planning is the hub of planning education in Atlantic Canada. Our honours programs are accredited by the Professional Standards Board (PSB) and recognized by the Canadian Institute of Planners.
With the honours option, you'll take what you learn in class and put it into practice in a planning internship. For one term in your fourth year of study, you'll work for a local planning organization such as a consulting firm or municipal planning department.
The following program options are offered by Community Design through Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Architecture and Planning. Connect with an academic advisor after you start your studies to explore options such as:
Bachelor of Community Design Honours (Urban Design and Planning)
Bachelor of Community Design Honours (Environmental Planning)
Bachelor of Community Design Honours with Double Major in Community Design and Sustainability
Bachelor of Community Design (3-year general undergraduate program)
Bachelor of Community Design with approved minors within Dalhousie’s College of Arts and Science
What you will learn
In our courses, you’ll examine ways that people can work towards promoting and maintaining healthy and sustainable communities. We emphasize the interconnections among the human and natural worlds and apply that knowledge to solve problems confronting communities, the environment, and cities. Our courses help you develop the knowledge and skills to analyze problems and create real-world solutions to community issues.
Sample courses may include:
Introduction to Community Design
Introduction to Planning
Dynamic of Human Settlements
Environmental Systems in Planning
Space, Place, and GIS
Introduction to Policy
Data, Probability, and Planning
Introduction to Environmental Planning
Site Planning
History and Theory of Urban Design
Transportation and Land Use Planning
Social Justice
Application of Planning Law
Planning Studio
Thesis Project
Community Design Internship
Our approach to education involves experiential learning, with projects done in cooperation with community clients. The School of Planning has established relationships with local professional planning organizations, community advocacy non-profits, and development firms that enrich the program through professional networking, industry events, and employment opportunities. We emphasize small class sizes and place-based learning.
Careers
Our graduates are highly valued by the public, private, and non-profit sectors. They find work with housing agencies, land development firms, municipal planning departments, private consultancy groups, non-governmental agencies, real estate companies, and non-profit environmental organizations. They plan inclusive public spaces, efficient transportation, and sustainable communities, among other applications.
BCD Honours graduates can follow the process to become a Registered Professional Planner. Future studies could include completing programs at the graduate level in planning, public administration, law, or business administration.
