Planning degree | Undergraduate Programs

Want a career that makes an impact? We’ve got the plan.

Go beyond urban planning and learn to tackle the environmental and social challenges facing the world's urban, rural, and natural areas. Learn how to manage the growth of cities, design efficient transportation systems, protect parks and other natural areas, preserve heritage, and more.

This multidisciplinary program covers everything from economic and legal considerations to design skills, land development, and GIS technology. Whether you choose to put your degree to work for government, pursue advanced study in law or politics, or work in the private sector, you'll be ready to create a sustainable future through smart planning.

Because this is a co-op program, you’ll graduate with up to 20 months of paid real-world experience. Use your five co-op work terms to explore the many fields within planning so that when you graduate, you have a large professional network and a strong sense of career areas you would like to pursue.

What courses will you take in Planning?

First-year courses

During your first year, you'll take a mix of foundational Planning and Environmental Studies courses.

In your upper years, most of the classes you'll take will be Planning courses.

September to December

PLAN 100 – Urbanization Today: Introduction to Cities and Regions
PLAN 107 – How Plans are Made: Processes, Stages and Strategies
ENVS 131 – Communications for Environmental Studies
ENVS 195 – Introduction to Environmental Studies
One elective

January to April

PLAN 103 – Planning Governance and Administration
PLAN 110 – Visual Communication and Design for Planners
PLAN 133 – Planning for Equity, Justice, and the Public Interest
ENVS 178 – Environmental Applications of Data Management and Statistics
One elective

This is a sample schedule. Courses and when a course is offered may change depending on availability.

After first year

Most of the classes you’ll take will be Planning courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from a wide range of subjects.

View all the courses required for your degree.

Sample upper-year courses

PLAN 202 – Transportation and Housing: A Systems Approach
PLAN 210 – Community Design Fundamentals for Planners
PLAN 300 – Planning Theory and Ethics
PLAN 375 – Municipal Finance and Land Economics
PLAN 471 – Planning and Municipal Law

Customize your Planning degree

You can add additional areas of expertise by choosing up to two specializations in Planning.

The Geography and Environmental Management minor is a popular choice among students in this program.

You can also include one or more of the minors available to all Waterloo students, or choose from one of the diplomas in the Faculty of Environment.

View "Creating safer and inclusive communities with a degree in planning" on YouTube

Jacklyn loves Planning at Waterloo. She feels like she’s at home because she’s surrounded by people who share her interests in sustainability and the environment.

Faculty:
Faculty of Environment

Degree:
Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Planning

Available as a co-op program?
Co-op only

Available as a regular program?
No

Available as a minor?
No

Jump start your career. As one of only two undergraduate programs accredited by the Canadian Institute of Planners, Planning meets many of the requirements you need to become a Registered Professional Planner after graduation.

97% employment rate. The academic preparation and practical skills gained through co-op gives Waterloo Planning grads an edge. Within six months of graduating, 97% of Planning graduates were employed. (Source: Ontario University Graduate Survey 2024)

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

In the world's leading co-op program, you'll explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience — and make money!

Read about how Jacklyn used her co-op term to create safer and inclusive communities.

Sample co-op job titles

Planning policy assistant
Student planner
Planning assistant
Junior project manager

Coordinator land development
Safety research assistant
Rail operations co-op student
Innovation operations and outreach assistant

Co-op work-study sequence

Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.

Your first work term will be in the spring term after second year.

Year	September to December (Fall)	January to April (Winter)	May to August (Spring)
First	Study	Study	Off
Second	Study	Study	Work
Third	Study	Work	Study
Fourth	Work	Study	Work
Fifth	Work	Study	-

Learn more about co-op →

What can you do with a degree in Planning?

Waterloo Planning graduates have been very successful pursuing careers in transportation and transit, land development, and policy for government, conservation groups, as well as in the private sector as consultants, developers, project managers, and more.

The careers listed below are examples of what you might be able to pursue. Through the courses you take, specializations you choose, extracurriculars, and any work experience you gain, you'll graduate with a degree that's uniquely you and be ready to pursue a career that's right for you!

Land use planner

In this role, you’ll decide how land should be developed or protected. You would analyze environmental impacts and work with communities to ensure responsible growth. This career combines environmental awareness with human settlement needs.

Urban designer

Focus on the look and feel of streets, public spaces, and neighbourhoods. Urban designers blend creativity with problem‑solving, helping cities become more walkable, welcoming, and visually appealing.

Environmental planner

Balance development with environmental protection, carefully assessing how projects impact land, water, and ecosystems. Evaluate risks and recommend sustainable solutions to help ensure growth happens responsibly. This path is a strong choice if you want to connect planning with protecting natural resources.

Long-range policy planner

Shape how cities and towns grow by balancing housing, transportation, green space, and infrastructure. By developing long-term plans that consider both community needs and environmental impact, your work helps create places where people can live, work, and thrive. This role is ideal if you enjoy thinking about the future of cities and how everyday spaces come together.

Transportation planner

Design how people move through cities; focus on creating systems that are efficient, accessible, and sustainable. Plan transit routes, bike networks, and road systems to help reduce congestion while improving daily life for communities. It’s a great fit if you’re interested in designing smarter, more connected urban environments.

Community planner

Work closely with local residents to shape neighbourhoods that reflect personalized needs and values. You would lead meetings, gather feedback, and design plans that support inclusive growth. This career is perfect if you enjoy collaboration and public engagement.

Housing policy analyst

Research housing trends and help create policies that improve affordability and accessibility. You would analyze data and propose solutions for growing communities. This role is meaningful if you’re interested in social issues and urban development.

Sustainability planner

Focus on making communities more environmentally friendly and resilient. You would design strategies for reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, and promoting green spaces. This path lets you lead long-term sustainability efforts.

Heritage planner

You’ll help protect historical sites and cultural landscapes while allowing for development. You would assess heritage value and guide decisions on preservation. This career blends history, culture, and planning.

Infrastructure planner

Plan essential systems like water, energy, and transportation networks. You would ensure communities have the services they need to grow sustainably. This role is a great match if you’re interested in how cities function behind the scenes.

Development coordinator

Manage development projects from planning to approval, and work with developers, planners, and governments to move projects forward responsibly. This career connects planning with project management and business.

Public engagement specialist

Design and lead opportunities for community members to share their input on planning projects. You would create surveys, host workshops, and communicate plans clearly. It’s a strong option if you enjoy working with people and communication.

Climate adaptation planner

Help communities prepare for the impacts of climate change. Develop strategies to address risks like flooding, extreme heat, or rising sea levels.

Visit our Waterloo Stories website to learn about what Katrina is doing with her Environment degree.

Learn about the future of careers in environment, sustainability, and climate change.

Further education

While the full range of further education depends on your individual interests, these are common areas where graduates pursued a master's, PhD, or other professional program.

Politics, policy, and public administration
Environmental planning
Geographic information systems
Local economic development

Urban design
Business (MBA)
Architecture
Law

Possible professional designation

Accreditation by the Professional Standards Board for the Planning Profession in Canada (PSB)

"Planning is a close-knit community. People are friendly and willing to help. I also love applying what I learn in class to creating more livable communities. Each co-op term is a new experience and gives me hands-on experience working in my field." Adrian, third-year Planning co-op student

"The best part of co-op is the real-world experience. In Planning, there are different paths to take. Co-op helped me discover what areas interest me —and helped me better understand my course material by applying it during my work terms." Abby, second-year Planning co-op student

Admission requirements

Ontario students

Six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including

Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of 75% is required)

Admission averages: low 80s

Not studying in Ontario?

Search our admission requirements.

How to apply

Apply directly to this program on your application.

Related programs

Architecture

Geography and Environmental Management

Geospatial Data Science

Success starts at Waterloo

As home to Canada's largest faculty of environment and the world's leading co-op program, Waterloo is the only place where you can test drive up to five careers before you graduate.

*University of Waterloo Key Performance Indicators 2024

**for social science programs, which include programs within the Faculty of Environment

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Contact us

Questions about courses, programs, requirements, or careers?

Please contact Megan Muir, our Faculty of Environment recruitment co-ordinator who can answer any questions you have.

From the Missing Manual

In his early years of high school, Hafeez noticed the inadequacies of painted bike lanes in his neighbourhood. This sparked what became a keen interest in transportation and community well-being, and a mission: to improve street safety for cyclists.