Research and Public Engagement | Department of Urban & Regional Planning

While many of our most vexing urban problems are metropolitan in nature, they are often left unresolved due to the challenges of regional governance at this scale. The Institute for Metropolitan Studies was created to address these problems by facilitating the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and general spirit of cooperation among urbanists at San José State University and between SJSU and its surrounding metropolitan community. Join us for exciting public events and cutting edge urban scholarship.

Spatial Analytics and Visualization (SAVI) Center

The Department of Urban and Regional Planning; in collaboration with the SJSU Provost's Office and the Institute for Metropolitan Studies, launch a world-class university center focused on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and urban spatial data science; the Spatial Analytics and Visualization (SAVI) Center at SJSU. Collecting faculty and students from around the University, the SAVI Center at SJSU uses the power of geography and Geographic Information Science to produce impactful research and professional services to serve our university departments, neighborhood organizations, public agencies and private sector entities in Silicon Valley and the Bay Area.

Mineta Transportation Institute

The mission of the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) at San José State University is to increase mobility for all by improving the safety, efficiency, accessibility, and convenience of our nation's transportation system. The Department of Urban and Regional Planning works in frequent collaboration with the Institute and many of our faculty members are research associates there. Through research, education, workforce development and technology transfer, MTI helps create a connected world.

Students, residents and city leaders work together to vision their community.

Community Partnerships

Students and faculty engage and collaborate with our surrounding communities in San José, the greater Bay Area, and beyond through coursework, research activities, service learning projects, and dynamic partnerships of all kinds.

Faculty Research

Department faculty are nationally and internationally recognized scholars who help inform policy, shape planning practice, and contribute to the scholarly discourse.

Student Achievements

Our students produce award-winning research of their own.