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Good urban planning keeps cities running smoothly and ensures people have spaces to connect and grow. As the world faces a climate crisis, persistent issues related to access and equity, and rapidly evolving technologies, experts in this field are increasingly needed in virtually every country.
If you aspire to make a difference through the planning, design, and regulation of physical spaces, studying city and regional planning in Atlanta, Georgia, is the perfect place to start.
Atlanta is a city that has it all. In 2024, it was the #2 most liveable city in the US (The Economist Intelligence Unit); #1 best place to start a career (WalletHub); #2 best city for renters to live (RentCafe); and the most educated city in the US (Forbes). Foodies can dive into one of the #5 food cities in the South, while sports fans can cheer for Atlanta United or catch the Hawks in action. Love music? The city’s live music scene is unbeatable, from symphony concerts to outdoor festivals.
Right in the heart of this international economic hub is the Georgia Institute of Technology, ranked in the top 40 globally and #2 in the US for innovation (US News & World Report), as well as #1 for career placement and best value (Princeton Review). With its 400-acre campus and proximity to Technology Square (the Southeast’s leading hub for startups), Georgia Tech’s School of City and Regional Planning (SCARP) is a great place to hone your city and regional planning skills in a forward-thinking environment.
Pioneer urban solutions at SCARP
For over 70 years, SCARP has been at the forefront of shaping the future of urban landscapes. In the last five years, projects from School faculty have generated research funding of about US$4 to US$5 million each year. Central to this success are its programmes, including the accredited Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP), ranked #6 in the US and #2 for Big City Programmes, and specialised degrees in global development, urban analytics, and geographic information science.
“The faculty are a very diverse group with different research interests and influences,” says Gregory Randolph, Assistant Professor at SCARP. “We examine how technologies shape the built environment, responding to trends like climate change and demographic shifts, and shaping the relationship between the built environment and communities.”
SCARP alumni are proof of its impact, transforming communities in 49 US states and 31 countries. Many become leaders, equipped to reimagine and rebuild the cities of tomorrow.
Sivakumar advises international students to make the most of their time in graduate school as time passes by in a flash. Source: Georgia Institute of Technology
Siddharth Sivakumar
For Siddharth Sivakumar, city planning was a passion he accidentally discovered during his undergraduate degree in Architecture at the National Institute of Technology – Tiruchirappalli in India. A deep dive into his options led him to SCARP. “I was looking to develop a technical skillset that could be applied to multiple topics under city planning, and SCARP’s illustrious alumni, along with a unique dual degree in planning and spatial data science, caught my attention immediately,” he says.
“The curriculum allowed me to explore a topic and its spatial application simultaneously. I would have multiple Geographic Information Science (GIS) and planning courses in the same semester, and I could apply what I learned in one class in another.”
Supportive faculty and Atlanta’s vibrant environment enriched his experience. A standout moment came during his second year when he joined Dr. Perry Yang’s International Urban Design Studio. Collaborating with students from the University of Tokyo, Sivakumar worked on a district redesign project. “It was an eye-opening experience,” he says. “It challenged us to think critically and apply concepts around the theory of planning to a real-world project while considering the local ethos.”
SCARP’s research focus was equally impactful, as he teamed up with Dr. Arthi Rao on public health and socio-economic policy challenges — experiences that continue to shape his career.
For Matteo Saracco, graduate school is where you can build skills, network, and grow into a well-rounded professional. Source: Georgia Institute of Technology
Matteo Saracco
For Matteo Saracco, Georgia Tech provided the ideal platform to combine his interests in transportation engineering and urban planning. “I grew up exposed to excellent city planning in the Netherlands, but it wasn’t until a city planning elective in my final undergraduate year that I realised how much I wanted to shape cities and their systems,” he explains. Georgia Tech stood out as a place where he could merge these interests — and it didn’t disappoint.
The programme’s curriculum provided Saracco with unparalleled opportunities for hands-on learning. “Studying in a city as diverse and active as Atlanta meant that what I learned in the classroom was reflected all around me,” he says. From planning studios focusing on global cities like Tokyo to applied projects on post-pandemic travel patterns, his experiences went far beyond theory. “Working with local agencies and collaborating with experts from other disciplines prepared me to address real-world challenges in transportation planning and engineering,” he adds.
Like Sivakumar, research was central to Saracco’s time at Georgia Tech. “The programme is constantly evolving to tackle issues like climate change and electric vehicles,” he shares. This approach prepared him to work on various projects, including as an electric vehicle infrastructure consultant.
Looking back, Saracco describes his time at Georgia Tech as transformative. “Had I stayed in Italy, I likely would have earned a degree in civil engineering and become an engineer,” he reflects. “But SCARP opened doors I didn’t even know existed, from interdisciplinary collaborations to exposure to global practices. It gave me the confidence and skills to lead in a field that’s always changing and needed.”
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