The Department of City and Metropolitan Planning (CMP) welcomed urban ecology students from the Utah Asia Campus (UAC) to the Salt Lake City campus during the University of Utah’s fall break. CMP offered UAC students a unique opportunity to experience the Utah campus through professional engagement and gain new perspectives on urban planning in a different cultural context. The visit featured a campus tour, staff and faculty mixers, and participation in the American Planning Association Conference.

UAC’s planning department assistant professor, Idil Ayral, celebrated the significance of their experience.

“During their trip, they not only visited their CMP 4280 project site in Cottonwood Heights, where they have been working on a Korean-inspired park project since last semester, but also had the chance to meet faculty on the main campus, explore Salt Lake City, and attend the APA Utah Conference,” Ayral said. “Each part of the journey provided great insights into planning practice, professional engagement, and the broader context of their work.”

The CMP staff and faculty were intentional about incorporating campus highlights and program opportunities to promote research and career pathways for the students to consider post-graduation. This momentous experience promotes the Department’s commitment to shared learning and a collective vision for sustainable urban futures.

City and Metropolitan Planning at the Utah Asia Campus
Located in Incheon, South Korea, the Utah Asia Campus is home to a diverse cohort of students pursuing degrees in urban ecology through the U’s Department of City and Metropolitan Planning. The program emphasizes a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach, integrating coursework in field studies, economics, law, and community development. Students at UAC engage in project-based learning, addressing real-world challenges facing cities, towns, and rural communities across the globe. Through collaboration and applied research, they develop the critical thinking and design skills necessary to promote sustainable and equitable urban development.

For more information, visit the CMP or the Utah Asia Campus urban ecology program website.