Michigan State University Urban & Regional Planning

09/01/2026

The 2026 Peter & Linda Riguardi Travel Fellowship was a great success!

Students from all four programs at SPDC visited London, touring project sites and historic examples of built environment planning, design and construction.

This experiential learning opportunity is vital to preparing SPDC students for professional success as leaders and innovators in industry.

Thank you to Peter & Linda Riguardi, whose endowment sponsors this learning experience, and thank you to everyone involved that makes this trip possible!

08/31/2026

The new academic year starts today!

In preparation, SPDC faculty and staff came together for the annual Kick-Off Meeting, sharing updates, discussing pressing issues, and enjoying team building exercises !

We also had special guests drop in from other departments as well as the CANR Dean, Matthew Daum, Ph.D.

Everyone here is excited for another great year at SPDC!

08/31/2026

SPDC faculty and staff are excited to welcome the 2026-27 academic year!

08/31/2026

RSVP NOW!

The deadline to register for the 2026 SPDC Speaker Series is September 3rd!

Join us the evening of September 10th for a moderated panel discussion that examines the intersection of SPDC's four programs on a major project.

This FREE event offers CEUs from AIA, AICP, and the LA-CES for qualifying professionals.

Construction Management Instructor, Daniel Bollman will host a six-person panel as they dive deep into the work behind the Hudson's Detroit development that's re-shaping downtown.

Space is limited, so be sure to RSVP today!

Students and interested professionals are invited to hear from and engage with:

Trevor Wilson - Senior Development Manager, Bedrock Detroit
James Kramek - Project Executive, Barton Malow
Michelle Kleinman - Design Architect, SHoP Architects
Stacey Tobar - Landscape Architect, Hamilton Anderson at time of project (currently Principal, OHM Advisers)
Lauren Minch - Interior Designer, Pophouse Design
Kevin Schronce - Associate Director (Design Director), City of Detroit Planning and Development Department

08/27/2026

The deadline to register for the 2026 SPDC Speaker Series is September 3rd!

Thursday, September 10th, SPDC will host a six-person panel discussion with members of the team behind the Hudson's Detroit development that's re-shaping downtown.

This event is open to students and professionals interested in examining how the disciplines of SPDC's four programs - Construction Management, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, and Urban & Regional Planning - intersect in the planning and ex*****on of a major project.

Attending this FREE event qualifies for CEUs from the AIA, AICP, and LA-CES

Join us from 5-7pm in the MSU Union Ballroom as Construction Management Instructor, Daniel Bollman moderates the panel's conversation with:

Trevor Wilson - Senior Development Manager, Bedrock Detroit
James Kramek - Project Executive, Barton Malow
Michelle Kleinman - Design Architect, SHoP Architects
Stacey Tobar - Landscape Architect, Hamilton Anderson at time of project (currently Principal, OHM Advisers)
Lauren Minch - Interior Designer, Pophouse Design
Kevin Schronce - Associate Director (Design Director), City of Detroit Planning and Development Department

Space is limited and event is sure to fill quickly, so RSVP now to secure your seat!

To learn more, stay updated, and RSVP, visit: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/2026-spdc-lecture-series

Or to RSVP immediately, visit: https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3XcOvt2JEAepZeS

08/26/2026

SPDC welcomes our new teaching specialist, Andrea Polverento, to the Urban & Regional Planning program!

Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Natural Resources Communications and a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Michigan State University, Andrea is a land use planner, educator, and eighth-generation farmer whose work bridges land use planning, agriculture, conservation, and community development.

We are excited to have Andrea join us for another excellent year!

Learn more about Andrea at:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/spdc-welcomes-new-teaching-specialist

08/18/2026

RSVP Now for the 2026 SPDC Speaker Series!

SPDC will host a six-person panel discussion to examine the intersection of our school's four programs in the planning and ex*****on of the Hudson's Detroit development project that is reshaping the city and now hosts the global headquarters for General Motors.

This event is open to interested professional as well as as students, and attendance qualifies for CEUs from the AIA, AICP, and LA-CES, FREE OF CHARGE!

Space is limited so be sure to RSVP in advance, and we'll see you Thursday, September 10th, from 5pm to 7pm in the MSU Union, Ballroom!

08/12/2026

RSVP Today for the 2026 SPDC Speaker Series!

SPDC will host a six-person panel discussion to examine the intersection of our school's four programs - Construction Management, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, and Urban & Regional Planning - in the planning and ex*****on of the Hudson's Detroit development project led by Bedrock Detroit.

Join us, September 10, 2026 from 5pm to 7pm in the MSU Union Ballroom as Construction Management Instructor, Daniel Bollman moderates the panel's conversation about their work on a project that's re-shaping downtown Detroit.

This event is open to interested professional as well as as students, and attendance qualifies for CEUs from the AIA, AICP, and LA-CES, FREE OF CHARGE!

Students and guests will hear from and engage with:

Trevor Wilson - Senior Development Manager, Bedrock Detroit

James Kramek - Project Executive, Barton Malow

Michelle Kleinman - Design Architect, SHoP Architects

Stacey Tobar - Landscape Architect, Hamilton Anderson at time of project (currently Principal, OHM Advisers)

Lauren Minch - Interior Designer, Pophouse Design

Kevin Schronce - Associate Director (Design Director), City of Detroit Planning and Development Department

Space is limited and event is sure to fill quickly, so RSVP now to secure your seat!

To learn more, stay updated, and RSVP, visit: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/2026-spdc-lecture-series

Or to RSVP immediately, visit: https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3XcOvt2JEAepZeS

08/11/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Deyanira Nevarez Martinez on receiving a 2026 Planning Advocate Award from the Michigan Association of Planning!

Read more about Dr. Nevarez Martinez and her award at: https://associationdatabase.com/.../layout_details/false

MAP would like to recognize Dr. Deyanira Nevarez Martinez for receiving a 2026 Planning Advocate Award. Read all about her and the other award recipients here: https://associationdatabase.com/aws/MAP/pt/sp/award-nominations

07/15/2026

Congratulations to Marie Ruemenapp, Ph.D., outreach specialist in SPDC's Urban & Regional Planning program and MSU Extension, on receiving the 2026 National Urban Extension Leaders (NUEL) National Urban Extension Leadership Award!

Dr. Ruemenapp received the award during the National Urban Extension Conference in Detroit. NUEL recognized Ruemenapp for a distinguished career of visionary leadership and national impact that has expanded the reach, relevance, and effectiveness of Extension in metropolitan and urban communities.

"Through more than four decades of service, Ruemenapp has advanced urban Extension, strengthened community partnerships, and championed inclusive practices that have shaped Extension's work both in Michigan and across the nation."
- NUEL award announcement

Visit: https://connect.extension.org/g/nuel to learn more about NUEL.

Congratulations to Dr. Marie Ruemenapp on this well-deserved national honor!