Mission Statement

The Harvard Urban Planning Organization (HUPO) is dedicated to supporting Masters in Urban Planning (MUP) students and other students at the Graduate School of Design (GSD) who want to deepen their appreciation and understanding of planning and design issues.

HUPO helps GSD students prepare for urban planning careers by supplementing formal coursework with lectures and discussions, workshops with practitioners, and other technical skills training. HUPO provides access to educational and professional opportunities to students at Harvard University to enrich the discourse about planning within Harvard, the Cambridge and area communities, and beyond.

HUPO also works to build a community by increasing social ties for students interested in planning – both within the MUP program itself, and between the GSD programs and other Harvard University and area schools – through a variety of social events.

HUPO is dedicated to increasing interdisciplinary discussions at the GSD and across Harvard University to foster cross-sector collaboration around planning issues.

Our actions and events are guided by our desire to create more livable, equitable, and inclusive cities. As future planners, administrators, and designers, we seek to shape the ongoing discussions about the role of planning in communities and elevate the role of planning.

Our Goals

Provide professional development opportunities for students interested in planning issues and encourage student leadership

Enhance cross-sector collaboration on planning issues within and beyond the GSD and Harvard

Address issues of social equity through facilitated discussions and advocacy

Act as a voice for those interested in planning issues within the GSD to ensure the needs of planners are being met by University administration

Foster a deeper sense of community amongst MUPs and students interested in planning through both social programming and educational initiatives