About Western Washington University

WWU’s Urban Planning and Sustainable Development (UPSD) major offers an interdisciplinary approach to solving complex problems. The curriculum combines urban planning, sustainable design, policy and environmental science to provide students with an understanding of the multidimensional issues in urban development. Graduates are ready for professional careers in planning agencies, consulting firms, and non profit organizations at the local, state, tribal, and federal levels of government, as well as advanced graduate study. Our program aspires to serve diverse communities and we encourage students with a breadth of backgrounds and life experiences to apply.

Points of Distinction

The BA degree in Urban Planning and its predecessor planning degrees have continuously been offered at WWU for over 50 years. The BA planning degree has been granted to well over 800 students, most who have entered professional careers in planning. In 2016, Western Washington University (WWU) received its first national accreditation of its BA in Urban Planning and Sustainable Development (UPSD) major, granted by the national Planning Accreditation Board (PAB). The degree is one of only 16 accredited undergraduate programs in the nation, and one of only two accredited undergraduate planning degree in Washington State.

Degrees & Programs

Bachelor's Degree
Degree Name Urban Planning and Sustainable Development
Degree accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board: Yes
In-state tuition per year $8,241
Out-of-state tuition per year $27,366
Application deadline January 31
Students in program 77
Full-time equivalent student:faculty ratio 10:1
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Urban and Environmental Planning & Policy

College of the Environment
Bellingham Washington

Address

516 High St
MS 9085
Bellingham, Washington 98225-5946

Department Email

not listed

Department Phone

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025

Faculty Members

portrait of Nabil Kamel

Nabil Kamel

Professor and UEPP Department Chair

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portrait of Dr. Tamara Laninga

Dr. Tamara Laninga

Chair & Associate Professor

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portrait of James Miller

James Miller

Associate Professor

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portrait of Paul Stangl

Paul Stangl

Associate Professor

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portrait of Nicholas Zaferatos

Nicholas Zaferatos

Professor

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