March, 2026

CP 2010: Foundations of Urban and Regional Development is a required course for First Year Semester Abroad-Oxford cohort's Fall Semester. Taught this academic year by Paige Clayton, this introductory course examines the evolution and economic function of cities, and the significant factors that shape their growth and development.

Using the perspective of European cities visited by students during the Fall Semester, the class positions historic sites and urban systems as interactive classrooms -- helping students describe the development of urban and regional economies from economic, policy, and planning lenses. Students observe the impacts of technology, policy, and geography on these world cities and address questions related to sustainability. 

When the First Year Study Abroad-Oxford cohort spend six weeks in European cities, they tackle an accelerated curriculum, with this City and Regional Planning course as a social sciences elective. A key component of the class is the application of learned concepts and theories through engagement. After visiting cities such as Berlin, Prague, Vienna, and Florence, students are able to articulate key urban and regional development concepts, strategies, and issues. 

Clayton guided trips to heritage cities and surrounding areas, helping students from all majors to understand the development of world cities and draw connections between them. Students learned about current challenges faced by these cities and were able to think critically about potential solutions.

One trip to Aspern Seestadt, one of Europe's largest, ambitious smart-cities, helped display city planning concepts such as reuse (the city is built on a former Viennese airfield), mixed-use (the city features an artificial lake, and residential, office, and education spaces for a growing population), and the roles of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship in economic development.