Center for Urban Studies

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The Center for Urban Studies is a co-created space between Marywood University and the Center For The Living City, the only urbanist organization founded in collaboration with Jane Jacobs. Our Center joins students, faculty, and local communities in advancing the ecology of cities through social, environmental, economic, and community-based solutions to urban challenges.  

Through various courses, projects, and networking opportunities, we allow students to customize classes and pursue real-world project applications that reflect their interests and empower them to create positive social impact.

Join US! | Create an Impact

WHAT WE SEE

SOCIAL | ECONOMICAL | ENVIRONMENTAL

The Center for Urban Studies allows students to craft customized course content grounded in their interests in the urban environment. Students can choose courses that address particular issues or themes that advance social, environmental, and economic justice and encourages them to define their place as a member of our community. 

*coming soon Fall 2024 

Students customize course content through the Urban Studies Designation (US)*.

Faculty Development

The Center for Urban Studies builds community through building education. Urban Studies Designated courses, projects, and research opportunities empower educators with the ability to reflect on their teaching methods and to gain insights into how they can improve their practice. Customizable student and faculty collaboration enables teachers to explore new techniques and strategies leading to greater student satisfaction and effective learning experiences. 

Jane Jacobs Lecture Series + Continuing Education credits*

The Center for Urban Studies fosters community engagement through real-world design, research, and service projects. It encourages students and faculty to pursue collaborations that advance community-driven ideas through education and creative problem-solving.

Interested in Collaborating?

The Center for Urban Studies receives annual project proposals from communities, non-profit organizations, and industry professionals. We welcome you to review our Project Proposal Submission page to submit your request for collaboration, and we look forward to discussing potential opportunities.

Hands-on Design / Community Build Projects

The Center for Urban Studies and Marywood University School of Architecture (MUSOA) bring together students, faculty, industry professionals, and public stakeholders to participate in active-learning projects that take a holistic look at environmental, economic, and social factors affecting our communities, the historical systems we are working to change, and how design can serve as a tool for creating a world where ecosystems and societies can thrive. 

Explore our Community Projects 

Photo Gallery coming soon

OBSERVE SCRANTON Jane Jacobs’s First City Festival

Observe Scranton is a community Festival, held every other year, that celebrates Scranton through the eyes of Jane Jacobs, its hometown iconic city activist, presented by The Center for The Living City.

“Dull, inert cities, it is true, do contain the seeds of their own destruction and little else. But lively, diverse, intense cities contain the seeds of their own regeneration, with energy enough to carry over for problems and needs outside themselves.” 

-Jane Jacobs

The next festival will take place May 2nd - May 4, 2025, in venues throughout the city of Scranton, PA. Explore the festival’s website to learn more about The Center For The Living City, Jane Jacobs, and the previous Observe Scranton Festivals. 

Learn more about Observe Festivals

Learn more about Jane Jacobs

Explore the Center for The Living City

Service Projects / University Opportunities

Marywood Campus Ministry encourages students and community members to engage in any way possible. With local, global, and even virtual options students can engage in various collaborative leadership and service opportunities at MArywood University and beyond. 

Get Involved with Campus Ministry

A Laudato Si’ University

In October 2021, Marywood University became a member of the first international cohort of Laudato Si Universities by the Vatican Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development to support Pope Francis’ 7-year Journey Towards Integral Ecology. This action-oriented and holistic approach addresses seven ecological and social challenges in the world. 

Explore Marywood & Laudato Si’

Service Awards & Recognition

Coming soon!

Join US and our ever-expanding network of students, educators, and industry leaders to strengthen your professional network by participating on project teams, attending lectures and special events, and joining our knowledge communities.    

The Observe Action Network (OAN) is an emerging group of students and leaders who are passionate about transforming their cities and towns.  The OAN seeks to develop the skills and tools needed to elevate students’ developing voices in solving real urban challenges and encourages bold, creative responses to solving real urban challenges    

Explore the Observe Action Network 

 Student Organizations 

Professional / Community Partners  

Questions? Contact Us!

Berman, Joshua David

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MacDonald, Maria N

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