MSc in Planning - Economic Development Planning in Toronto Canada | University of Toronto

The Department of Geography and Planning provides resources for graduate studies culminating in Master of Science in Planning (MScPl) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. Faculty research encompasses social, economic, cultural, and other critical dimensions. The scope spans from local community design to national policy planning and international development initiatives. Specialization areas cover land use, transportation, urban design, social policy, public health, economic growth, global development, and environmental planning. The Planning Program delivers an accredited Master's degree tailored for aspiring professional planners or those pursuing advanced academic research.
Admission to the second year requires students to maintain a B average or better in first-year coursework and submit a Study Plan after completing a Summer Internship.
This specialization focuses on initiatives that enhance living standards, generate prosperity, and expand economic access. Economic development planners operate across various levels - from local to international - within government, corporate, and non-profit sectors. Their expertise includes analyzing how socioeconomic, political, and technological factors create employment and investment inequalities across regions and industries, while proposing suitable solutions. These range from conventional methods like job training initiatives, tax incentives, business districts, industry clusters, and innovation networks to alternative approaches such as anchor institution models and cooperative enterprise development.