Formerly known as the International Development and Regional Planning (IDRP) group, the International Development Group (IDG) in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning conducts research and assists in the planning practice in countries around the world striving for social, political, and economic development. IDG faculty examines the urban, regional, and national socioeconomic impacts of major public and/or private investments, and address problems of squatter housing, municipal finance, metropolitan sprawl, and social disparities at a variety of scales. IDG faculty and students believe that effective planners operating in today's world must acquire an integrated institutional and historical view of economic, physical, political, and social factors.
IDG news + Announcements
See also the Events page for local IDG activities listings, current and prior.
SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR URBAN AND REGIONAL STUDIES (SPURS) LUNCHEON SERIES ANNOUNCED
09/12/08
IDG and SPURS are pleased to invite you to the SPURS Fall Seminar Series, Essentials for Development: Technology Change, Investment, and Leadership on Mondays from 12:15 - 2:00PM, Stella Room (7-338). See the IDG Events page to view the schedule.
IDG ANNOUNCES SIX NEW/REVISED SUBJECTS AND FOUR VISITING PROFESSORS IN 2008/09
08/01/08 The International Development Group will introduce new curriculum designed to engage students and stimulate discussions and actions throughout the IDG, DUSP, and beyond on issues ranging from the theoretical questions about human rights to grasroots movements and their role in todays' political and social landscape.
We are proud to present four visiting lecturers this year, including Anat Biletzki, Peter Houtzager, Daniel Esser, and Gabrielle Watson. Click here for more, including bios and abstracts.
IDG PROFESSOR PROMOTED
06/01/2008 Professor Balakrishnan Rajagopal was officially promoted to the rank of Associate Professor with Tenure today. See his profile here: http://web.mit.edu/dusp/idg/people/faculty/brajagopal.html
IDG RATED AMONG THE BEST PROGRAMS IN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT - MIT'S DUSP RATED #1 IN THE US AND CANADA
05/28/2008 Planetizen has released the 2009 Guide to Graduate Urban Planning Programs. This latest edition features new listings of the top master's degree programs in urban planning, as well as updated profiles for 100 planning programs in the U.S. and Canada.
DUSP is rated #1 overall program in the US and Canada according to educators and practitioners, with the most international students. The IDG is rated among the best programs in International Development, along with Community Development, Economic Development, Technology, Transportation, and Urban Design. See http://www.planetizen.com/guide for more on this story.
