About Us

The School of Planning, Design and Construction (SPDC) is jointly administered by the  College of Agriculture and Natural Resources  and the  College of Social Science  at Michigan State University. It consists of four separately accredited programs: Construction Management, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture and Urban & Regional Planning, as well as the National Charrette Institute, a training, outreach and research unit. Under the leadership of school director  Dr. Jun-Hyun Kim, faculty and staff strive for providing a quality educational experience for students in these fields related to the built environment, and encouraging the creativity and innovation that drive these industries.

Message from the Director

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Dr. Jun-Hyun Kim

Professor and Director

Welcome to the School of Planning, Design, and Construction (SPDC) at Michigan State University. Our school is committed to creating sustainable, healthy, and innovative solutions for built, natural, and virtual environments.

SPDC offers nine degree pathways from Bachelor's to Ph.D., including five professionally accredited programs, with over 550 undergraduate and 75 graduate students. Our interdisciplinary educational approach prepares students to tackle real-world challenges with innovative, sustainable, and inclusive solutions.

Interdisciplinary scholarly activities are at the core of our academic endeavors, fostering a community engaged in cutting-edge research and application. Our 45 world-class faculty members are dedicated to guiding students through rigorous academic programs that not only boast impressive job placement rates but also empower graduates to make significant contributions to their communities and the wider world. This effort is bolstered by our partnership with the National Charrette Institute, enhancing our commitment to community engagement.

Join us on this transformative educational journey, where you will push the boundaries of traditional education and emerge as a leader ready to innovate and impact the planning, design, and construction of future sustainable environments. For more detailed information about our school's mission, vision, and programs, please contact us at spdc@msu.edu or visit us to explore your educational and research opportunities.

School Vision

We collaborate to create sustainable and healthy built, natural, and virtual environments.

School Mission

We advance the knowledge, prepare innovative leaders, and support the practice of planning, design, and construction.

Core Values

We pursue academic excellence.
We nurture a culture of respect, trust, support, and empowerment.
We value interdisciplinary collaboration.
We embrace diversity, equity and inclusion.

Core Scholarly Areas of SPDC Research & Innovation

The School of Planning, Design, and Construction (SPDC) at Michigan State University is an
interdisciplinary hub addressing challenges from the local to the global scale. We create sustainable and
healthy environments across built, natural, and virtual spaces. As a leader in promoting innovative,
inclusive, and resilient solutions through a focus on community engagement and advanced intelligent
technology, SPDC's faculty expertise aligns with four core research areas, each contributing to
transformative impacts in academia, industry, and society.

CLIMATE-RESILIENT COMMUNITIES & ADAPTATION

This research area emphasizes strategies and technologies for creating communities that are adaptable to the challenges caused by climate change. SPDC’s work focuses on mitigating climate risks through innovative approaches, including urban heat island reduction, flood management, and renewable energy integration. Additionally, we investigate advanced materials such as mass timber and other green technologies that reduce environmental impact while enhancing community resilience. Landscape performance studies measure the ecological, social, and economic benefits of green infrastructure, enabling communities to thrive under changing climatic conditions. This area targets large-scale climate adaptation eMorts and technological innovations to ensure community resilience. By addressing these challenges, SPDC contributes to building communities that are not only sustainable but also adaptable to a rapidly changing climate. Since 2017, SPDC faculty have successfully secured more than $8.5 million in external grants and published 78 peer-reviewed articles in prominent journals for this research area.

HOUSING INNOVATION & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

This area concentrates on addressing housing and community challenges through innovative approaches, emphasizing affordability, energy efficiency, economic impacts and accessibility. Our scholarly activities include modular and prefabricated housing, retrofitting solutions, equitable design tailored to diverse populations, and urban infill and brownfield redevelopment. Community engagement is central, with a focus on participatory process to develop community initiatives that reflect local needs and aspirations. The goal is to provide affordable, high-quality housing that fosters equitable and vibrant neighborhoods, and create resilient communities through appropriate development and redevelopment opportunities. Since 2017, SPDC faculty have successfully secured nearly $7 million in external grants and published 108 peer-reviewed articles in prominent journals for this research area.

HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS FOR HUMAN WELL-BEING

SPDC investigates how the built environment can promote health and well-being at individual and community levels. Our work focuses on planning and designing sustainable and innovative transportation systems including walkable neighborhoods, improving air quality, and increasing access to green spaces to enhance overall well-being. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design initiatives aim to create safer spaces that reduce crime and foster community cohesion. Additionally, research investigates indoor environments, including energy efficient building designs that improve air quality and occupant health. These efforts position SPDC as a leader in fostering environments that support holistic well-being. Since 2017, SPDC faculty have successfully secured more than $7.5 million in external grants and published 60 peer-reviewed articles in prominent journals for this research area.

ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL JUSTICE

Equity and justice are central to SPDC’s research, which examines how development processes and policies can address disparities and foster inclusivity. Our projects focus on improving access to affordable housing, transportation, and green spaces for historically under-served populations. Participatory planning and design approaches are integral to planning, design and decision-making processes. By prioritizing justice, SPDC research supports a future where social and environmental equity are at the heart of sustainable development. Since 2017, SPDC faculty have successfully secured nearly $3 million in external grants and published 35 peer-reviewed articles in prominent journals for this research area.