MIT DUSP. check it out

run for Mayor somewhere?

a lot of programs are "architecture + urban planning" or somethign along those lines. take up some urban planning classes, see if it really is for you.

i would think you could focus on building context for your specific projects, use the site and surrounding structures to influence your own work, etc.

London School of Economics (LSE) has the Cities Programme

The Cities Programme is an international centre dedicated to the understanding of contemporary urban society. Its central objective is to relate physical structure to the social structure of cities.

The programme offers degree courses at the MSc and PhD level. It hosts public events with design professionals, academics, city leaders and policy makers.

Is it only the built environment that appeals to you? What about community organizing? It is tough work, but if you start small, you can really affect major changes.

In Chicago, we have a group called Archi-treasures that, among other things, hosts design competitions and procures financing to rebuild run down parks or community facilities.

Study landscape urbanism back east or get a job with john kaliski.

There's actually much better options available for your interests than you listed. For many of these options it would be advisable to also get an urban planning or urban design degree. Here's a few:

1) private urban planner/design firm
- focus on physical planning for specific areas of the city, sometimes large neighborhoods, sometimes a small street or square. Examples include smaller firms like Utile in Boston (www.utiledesign.com), larger multi-disciplinary firms like HOK or EDAW, and of course the big name architecture firms like OMA, Foster, and Zaha. Within this option there is an enormous range of options. Depending on what you're interested in, you could be helping plan new cities in foreign countries or re-imagining storefronts for Main Street. Urban design is definitely not about picking out paving materials and adding a few trees.

2) non-profit planners or development corporations
- often focus on a particular neighborhood or city district trying to improve the conditions of the area, whether physical, economic, social, or cultural. These often focus on specific needs (ex. housing, jobs, parks, etc.)

3) quasi public development corporations
- planning or design positions with these corporations can be very exciting as they're usually set up in interesting cities (NYC, Boston, DC, etc.) and wield both the power of the government (eminent domain) and the financial strength of a developer. In other words, they get things done.

4) public sector planning/design positions
- you may be surprised how influential and interesting many of these positions can be depending on which city it's based in. Excellent urban positions can be found in Boston, NYC, LA, Chicago and many other places. Even some surprising places in the mid-west, the public sector planners can have a lot of influence and at times be quite innovative in their approach (ex. form-based zoning).

well there's GoodPoints,BadPoints...

"what the built envivornment says about the social culture of the people - and how the built environment can influence the social culture."

I'm surprised this hasn't been mention yet, but I'd start with the legendary J.B. Jackson. He "created" what's become known as cultural geography.

I'm interested how the built environment deals with identity, collective memory, and who we are and I've found the works of Jackson to be very enlightening. Check out his works. I'm sure it will help sort things out.

I don't think you have to "leave" architectural studies to study cities, I actually think its the best place to be, even if it means dealing with the details and other "stuff" you don't like.

Nicolas! Don't leave architecture school!

Your post describes me almost to a T (although I still love designing buildings and details).

Urban design is the field for you. I won't go into laborious detail here (search "Urban Design" on the Discussion page and you'll find a wealth of opinions and ideas). Though UD is related to "urban planning" as most use the term, it's much more built-environment focused. Architectural training is absolutely essential for this work, to which education in urban processes (policy, economics, culture, history) adds important understanding of how cities grow and change.

I'd suggest a good master's program in UD to cap your architectural education.

I'm in LA, too. Feel free to email me if you want to communicate further on this terrific subject.

Hey guys, thanks for the suggestions. This is very helpful. Feel free to continue the discussion if you have more ideas. I think I am going to look into urban design.

I too love cities.

I recently purchased this book. I think there is sometihing absolutely gorgeous, telling, and cryptic about cities in plan.

there are a number of arch firms (especially in europe) that partake in urban planning competitions. we did a few, and they were highly entertaining/educational. so i'll agree, don't drop the arch degree.

I'm right there with you Nicolas.....I am fascinated with cities. I think your architecture degree can only enhance your interests. With an architecture degree you can do most anything relating to the built environment. In fact, no matter which choice you pick, you can always keep indulging your love of cities.

I'm in LA as well....we should start a club. ;o)

OMG! I too love cities. I spent most of my time reading urban theory/ urbanism books rather than architecture. You guys completely what I am thinking in mind.
I'd a BArch degree and planning to go back to school next Fall for urban design. And I too in LA!