It is a systematic, creative approach to addressing and resolving social, physical, and economic problems. To solve these problems, planners identify problems and opportunities, devise alternative policies and plans, analyze and implement these options and evaluate implemented plans.
Planners utilize their knowledge and skills in an increasing variety of employment positions.
Both business and government recognize the value of the planner's systematic, comprehensive and long-term approach to finding solutions to today's urban condition. The Department of Urban Planning at UWM was founded in 1974 and was placed in Wisconsin's largest city to address city and regional issues. The initial departmental faculty created a program with a commitment to applied problem solving. A strong set of core courses that mesh theory with practice was supplemented by a broad range of elective courses organized into emphasis areas. In the delivery of the program curriculum , continuous use was made of the living laboratory, Milwaukee and its environs.