Department Overview

The Department of Urban and Regional Planning was established in 1973. The department’s interdisciplinary curriculum covers all areas of planning with particular focus on the Asia-Pacific region, environmental planning and sustainability, participatory community planning, housing, and disaster management.  The MURP program has been ranked in the top-25 national programs in Planetizen’s Guide to Urban Planning Programs, 4th Edition, as well as ranked 7th for the “West” geographic region, and 3rd for “Most Diverse Student Body.” DURP’s program foci are reinforced with real-world experience through planning and applied research projects throughout the Hawaiian Islands and the Asia-Pacific Region. The Department is also noteworthy for its strong ‘ohana – the Hawaiian word for family, extending to the community.

DURP continuously evolves to address planning issues of importance in today’s ever-changing world.

Quick Facts

  • Leadership: Priyam Das, PhD
  • Student body:45-50 students
  • Alumni: 600+
  • International Students (current and former) Countries of Origin – Nepal, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Philippines, China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Finland, Kyrgyzstan, Denmark, Cambodia, Thailand, Pakistan, India, Bhutan, American Samoa, Australia, Italy, Germany, Mariana Isles, Guam, Fiji, East Timor, Taiwan, New Zealand, Canada