It's an amazing sight. Spreading out from the urban core in all directions is the sprawl of human civilization, following the contours of the land and the shores of rivers, lakes and ocean. Such a sight is evidence of the challenging interplay between ourselves and the land and water that sustain us. As the population continues to grow around the globe, decisions affecting the sustainability and aesthetics of the land and other natural resources assume increased importance. Both public and private decision-makers must be involved to successfully balance the pressures of development with the realities of the environment.
Environmental designers play a key role in seeking that important balance.
The goal is to de-urbanize our cities, protect our farmland, and conserve the wilderness around us. The Environmental Design program at the University of Massachusetts is a major within the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning. This program provides a sound theoretical understanding of both environmental and human issues as a foundation of knowledge for a wide range of design and planning fields. Through the three concentration options, the program provides a historical, theoretical, and professional perspective in the liberal arts and science fields, emphasizing environmental issues. This training enables graduates of the program to make informed and effective land-use decisions that have a lasting impact on our built and natural environments.