Center for Rural Design (CRD) to recognize the unique relationships between design and planning in the rural landscape and the broader exploration of sustainable human activity – environmental, economic, and social/cultural – in rural regions, including urban/rural issues. In light of this recognition, and the College of Design ’s (CDes) growing focus on sustainability as a formal track in both the M.S.L.A. and the M.S.A., CRD believes that development of a program in rural design should be directed, ultimately, at the creation of a formal track in rural design within the M.S. programs of both departments. The rural landscape offers a venue for exploring issues of sustainability that is distinct from the urban landscape. A formal track in rural design would compliment a possible formal track in metropolitan design as well as a formal track in sustainable design related to technology and materials.

During 2002, CRD initiated a feasibility study for a certificate in rural design through the College of Continuing Education , U of M. This effort accomplished preliminary explorations into marketing (student and professional interest surveys), curriculum development, and competitive programs within the U of M and other institutions nationally. Significantly, no other program dedicated to design as a problem solving process in the rural landscape was identified in this preliminary search.

The program in rural design would be housed within CDes. However the program would, by necessity, be broad and multi-disciplinary in nature. The necessary diversity in class offerings would provide both an opportunity for CDes students in all degree programs to expand the scope of their academic and professional studies as well as an opportunity for CDes to attract students from other programs into complimentary classes. In addition, the program would provide the professional communities in design and planning a venue for exploring an emerging area of professional practice. CRD believes that a program in rural design would address the needs of the professional community and meet the academic goals of CDes in the following ways:

• The program would provide students with the opportunity for an educational experienced focused directly on rural design and related issues.
• The program would open areas of fundamental and applied research specifically directed at the under explored rural landscape and the interaction of its cultures, economies, and environments.
• The program would expand opportunities for CDes and the University of Minnesota to fulfill their mission of outreach into greater Minnesota .
• The program would address new areas of knowledge for the professional community, expanding economic and employment opportunities into under-served regions.
• The program would not duplicate existing programs within the University of Minnesota or other institutions nationally.
• Significant interest in a program in rural design by both potential students and the professional community has been documented through preliminary surveys.
• Preliminary discussions with the Department Head of Landscape Architecture indicate an interest to explore the ways a program in rural design might fit conceptually into the Department’s goals and functionally into the Department’s structure.
• Faculty in the departments of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Soils, Water and Climate, Applied Economics, and Design, Housing, and Apparel have indicated interest in exploring ways to apply or adapt existing classes to the needs of a program in rural design as well as assisting in the development of new classes.

In addition, CRD intends to concentrate on a parallel program serving the immediate needs of a broader audience including practicing professionals working in the public and/or private sectors seeking focused learning opportunities on issues related to rural communities and environment, as well as, rural community leaders, industries, and citizens interested in directing the future of their communities.

 

 

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This page last modified on September 25, 2009.