Washington Experience in Urban Complexities and Policy

This 3-week, 3-credit course is designed to provide students with exposure to and a deeper understanding of the diverse urban actors, processes, and institutions that contribute to urban complexities. Students will explore how policy can address these complexities, focusing on urban climate justice, environmental sustainability, and inequalities in urban services.

The course includes two weeks of in-person engagement at Virginia Tech’s Arlington campus, where students will have the opportunity to meet with local and global experts, policymakers, community partners, and planners. The course will consist of discussions, focusing on building a deeper understanding of urbanization processes, the history of the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan region, and the current and future challenges facing the area. 

Through a combination of class discussions and immersive experiences in Washington, D.C., students will engage with real-world issues and solutions for equitable and sustainable urban development.