UWinnipeg Introduces New Urban Planning Certificate: Explore Urban and Inner-City Studies

CISM Staff

Publish: August 11, 2026

Last Update: August 11, 2026

UWinnipeg Introduces New Urban Planning Certificate: Explore Urban and Inner-City Studies

CISM Staff

Publish: August 11, 2026

Last Update: August 11, 2026

As Canadian cities respond to challenges involving housing, sustainability, population growth and community development, knowledge of urban planning and municipal issues is becoming increasingly relevant. The University of Winnipeg has expanded its urban-focused academic offerings with the new Certificate in Urban and Community Planning, an interdisciplinary credential combining planning, geography, housing, public policy and community studies.

🏙️ Certificate in Urban and Community Planning

Launched in July 2026, the Certificate in Urban and Community Planning (CUCP) is designed for students interested in urban issues and careers related to city planning and administration. It is offered by the Department of Geography in partnership with Urban and Inner-City Studies.

Program at a Glance

Credential: Certificate in Urban and Community Planning
Program requirement: 30 credit hours
Core courses: 18 credit hours
Electives: 12 credit hours
Program length: No fixed completion period is specified
Recommended study pathway: Best completed alongside a four-year or Honours undergraduate degree, with courses arranged to overlap with degree requirements where possible
Admission process: Students must submit a Certificate Declaration Form and consult the certificate’s departmental advisor
Intakes: The certificate does not have a separate intake. UWinnipeg generally admits undergraduate students for Fall in September, Winter in January and Spring in May, subject to program and course availability

Areas of Study

Students complete six required courses covering the foundations of urban and community planning:

Urban and inner-city studies
Human geography
Urban development
Housing and neighbourhoods
Urban and community planning
Urban land-use and development processes

Students can further customize the certificate through approved electives in areas such as:

Urban economics and real estate markets
Sustainable cities and urban environments
Urban revitalization
Healthy communities and cities
Architecture and city planning
Urban geography and field research
Environmental sustainability and justice
Indigenous politics, governance, land and resources
City politics and urban-development policy
Community development
Urban poverty and public policy
Urban research methods

Courses are drawn from Geography, Urban and Inner-City Studies, Environmental Studies, History, Indigenous Studies, Political Science and Economics. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to examine urban development from social, environmental, political and economic perspectives.

Potential Career Pathways

The CUCP can complement an undergraduate degree for students interested in areas such as:

Municipal and public administration
Urban and community planning support
Community development
Housing and neighbourhood initiatives
Land-use and urban-development research
Urban policy and program coordination
Sustainability and healthy-community initiatives
Community and nonprofit organizations
Real estate and urban-market research

The University of Winnipeg identifies the certificate as suitable for students interested in urban issues or careers in city planning and administration. Because the CUCP is intended to complement a broader undergraduate degree, employment opportunities may also depend on the student’s major, professional experience and any certification required for a particular position.

👉 Read the Certificate in Urban and Community Planning PDF for detailed program and course information.

🎓 Explore More Urban and Inner-City Studies Programs

In addition to the CUCP, the University of Winnipeg offers several credentials through its Department of Urban and Inner-City Studies. These programs take an interdisciplinary and community-engaged approach to examining cities, with particular attention to housing, poverty, immigration, urban Indigenous experiences, community organizing and social inclusion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkFhu52Yl0M

Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Inner-City Studies

This interdisciplinary program explores urban development, housing, poverty, immigration, Indigenous experiences, social justice and community planning. Students also gain practical experience through a community-based practicum.

Program Highlights

Credential: Three-Year Bachelor of Arts, Four-Year Bachelor of Arts or Honours Bachelor of Arts
Program length: Three years for the 90-credit BA; four years for the 120-credit BA or Honours BA
Intakes: September, January and May, subject to admission and course availability
Potential career pathways:
- City planning and municipal administration
- Government housing, newcomer or community-policy services
- Community development and nonprofit organizations

Certificate in Urban and Inner-City Studies

This program introduces students to urban communities and inner-city issues, including housing, immigration, Indigenous experiences, poverty, sustainability and community development. Students also gain practical experience through a community development and advocacy practicum.

Program Highlights

Credential: Certificate in Urban and Inner-City Studies — pre-degree certificate
Program length: Approximately two years; 30 credit hours
Intakes: No separate intake is listed. Students follow the University’s undergraduate terms in September, January or May, subject to course availability
Potential career pathways:
- Community development organizations
- Community housing and neighbourhood programs
- Youth, newcomer or family-support agencies

Courses completed through the certificate may later be applied toward a three-year, four-year or Honours BA in Urban and Inner-City Studies. The program is designed especially, but not exclusively, for part-time students.

Certificate in Community Advocacy

This certificate explores community advocacy, urban poverty, social justice and conflict resolution. Students also develop practical skills through community-based practicum experience.

Program Highlights

Credential: Certificate in Community Advocacy — pre-degree certificate
Program length: Approximately two years; 30 credit hours
Intakes: No separate intake is listed. Students follow the University’s undergraduate terms in September, January or May, subject to course availability
Potential career pathways:
- Community advocacy and outreach services
- Social-justice and nonprofit organizations
- Poverty-reduction, conflict-resolution or community-support programs

Courses completed through this certificate may also count toward a three-year, four-year or Honours BA in Urban and Inner-City Studies.

Minor in Urban and Inner-City Studies

Students pursuing another undergraduate degree can add this minor to develop supplementary knowledge of cities, community issues and urban change. The minor includes an introductory Urban and Inner-City Studies course, upper-level coursework and at least one course at the 3000 or 4000 level.

Program Highlights

Credential: Minor in Urban and Inner-City Studies
Program length: 18 credit hours completed alongside another undergraduate degree
Intakes: No separate intake; students begin according to the intake of their primary degree
Potential career pathways:
- Urban policy and municipal services
- Housing and community development
- Newcomer, youth or community-based services

The minor is not a standalone program and cannot be combined with a major in Urban and Inner-City Studies.

👉 Visit the Urban and Inner-City Studies website for additional program and course information