The School of Architecture and Planning believes that fostering a culture of inclusion in our learning environments is essential for educating students, and we are committed to becoming a leader in equity, inclusion, and diversity. We strive to broaden the diversity of those who study, teach, research, and practice architecture and planning to ensure a wider variety of diverse needs will be met through those professions.
Our school faculty and students work across disciplines, and with community partners, to break down barriers to equity and social justice. Our nationally-ranked research centers and faculty are developing solutions for more equitable food systems from Buffalo, NY to Kerala, India—advancing the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations around the world. We are exploring historical “whiteness” that permeates our building disciplines, working to set international standards for inclusive design practices, driving new investment in low-income communities through community-engaged economic development planning, and developing adaptive design and planning solutions for populations experiencing the disproportionate impacts of climate change.
Our goals for inclusive excellence extend from our efforts to recruit a diverse student body (and therefore enhance diversity in our professions) to reinforce the success of students through a culture of meaningful commitment. Several programs and initiatives at the school advance these goals.