The University of New Mexico

Director's Message

Teresa CordovaGreetings from the Community and Regional Planning Program at the University of New Mexico! Community and Regional Planning is a diverse and exciting field of study and the community based-mission of the UNM CRP Program offers an especially unique perspective on planning issues in the American Southwest.  Focused on community-based practice and research, the UNM CRP program offers a professional masters degree in Community and Regional Planning (MCRP), in which degree candidates may concentrate in one of three fields: Community Development, Environmental and Natural Resource Planning, or Physical Planning and Design.  The CRP program also offers dual degree programs with Latin American Studies (MA/MCRP), Public Administration (MPA/MCRP), and Water Resources (MWR/MCRP.   Graduate certificate programs are available in Historic Preservation & Regionalism and Town Design. 

The CRP faculty brings together a collection of expertise in research and practice in a variety of fields such as political economy of urban development, climate change in the Southwest, work force housing, community economic development, land use dispute resolution, rural development, watershed management, land use suitability analysis, urban design and much more.  The Resource Center for Raza Planning, a Center within CRP, applies planning processes and techniques to the survivability and sustainability of traditional communities in New Mexico.  The Indigenous Planning component is another unique strength of our Program.

Situated along the historical El Camino Real and surrounded by Native Pueblos and Tribes, CRP degree candidates are thrust into a diverse and often challenging planning environment.  This requires the facilitation of and participation in a community based planning process that incorporates varied interests and distinct cultural narratives in order to produce fair and sustainable plans for all.  If you are interested in a graduate degree in Community and Regional Planning, this website offers information on the MCRP degree program and faculty contact information as well. 

To schedule a visit to the SAAP or to sit in on a CRP class, contact me or Liz Siletti:  tcordova@unm.edu or esiletti@unm.edu. We look forward to hearing from you!

Teresa Cordova

Director, Community and Regional Planning