At Home and Abroad examines the diverse approaches to housing across cultural, political, and economic contexts. From urban centers in North America and Europe to cities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, students will delve into the factors that shape housing systems globally as they face complex intractable crises.

A unique feature of this course is the opportunity to work in tandem with the New York based organization Urban Design Forum. Students will be paired with groups of Forum fellows as they set out to analyze international housing contexts and extract valuable lessons for addressing New York City’s ongoing housing crisis. The collaboration focuses on critical UDF themes such as unleashing supply, planning for neighborhood mix, adapting homes, building for demographic shifts, energizing social housing, and embracing housing for all. This provides students an extraordinary chance to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges, fostering innovative thinking and practical problem-solving skills.

Throughout the course, we will analyze key innovative models in affordability, sustainability, governance, and social equity. Students will engage with a variety of case studies, policy transfer stories, and theoretical frameworks to understand how housing solutions have long been influenced by local, national, and transnational priorities.

In class, we will divide our time between input and action. In addition to our work with the Urban Design Forum, each week, we will (1) discuss essential readings in comparative housing studies, and (2) recognize how planners should draw more profound lessons from a multi-scalar comparative perspective, across South-South as well as North-South experiences.

This class is ideal for those interested in urban planning and design, public policy, sociology, environmental planning, and international studies.

Learning Outcomes:

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of global housing systems
• Critically analyze and compare housing policies and practices across different regions
• Evaluate the role of housing in promoting or hindering social equity, better health outcomes, and environmental justice
• Synthesize cross-cultural perspectives to address housing challenges
• Collaborate with industry leaders as they engage directly with ongoing efforts to transform New York City’s housing landscape.