Community Design (BCD) (Honours)

Program overview

The Community Design (BCD) program at Dalhousie University is designed for students passionate about enhancing the quality of life in communities. This program offers a unique opportunity to customize your degree while gaining practical experience in planning sustainable environments. Students will engage in hands-on learning that emphasizes the importance of sustainability and community well-being. The program prepares graduates to tackle real-world challenges in urban and environmental planning, making it an ideal choice for those looking to make a positive impact in their communities.

Program structure

The Community Design (BCD) program is structured to provide a comprehensive education in planning, with a focus on sustainability and community engagement. The program offers various options, including:

• Honours
• Internship
• Major
• Minor

The program length is typically four years, allowing students to immerse themselves in both theoretical and practical aspects of community design. Students will participate in a mix of lectures, seminars, and studio courses, fostering a collegial atmosphere with small class sizes. The honours option includes an experiential learning component, where students complete a planning internship in their fourth year, working with local planning organizations. This hands-on experience is invaluable for preparing students for professional roles in the field.

Featured Experiences

The Community Design program offers several unique features that enhance the learning experience:

• Experiential learning opportunities through community projects.
• Internship placements with local planning organizations, consulting firms, or municipal planning departments.
• Collaboration with community clients to address real-world planning challenges.
• Networking opportunities with local professional planning organizations and industry events.
• Accreditation by the Professional Standards Board (PSB) and recognition by the Canadian Institute of Planners.

Career Options

Graduates of the Community Design (BCD) program have a wide range of career opportunities in Canada, including:

• Urban Planner: Develops plans and programs for land use in urban areas, focusing on sustainable development.
• Sustainability and Climate Change Planner: Works on strategies to mitigate climate change impacts and promote sustainable practices.
• Transportation Planner: Analyzes and plans transportation systems to improve mobility and accessibility in communities.
• GIS Analyst: Utilizes Geographic Information Systems to analyze spatial data for planning and decision-making.
• Community Development Coordinator: Facilitates community engagement and development initiatives to enhance local quality of life.

BCD Honours graduates can also pursue further studies in planning, public administration, law, or business administration, and may follow the process to become a Registered Professional Planner.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.