Fresno State students can now earn a degree in city and regional planning. The Bachelor of Science degree program, effective in the fall 2017 semester, is the only such planning program in the Central Valley.
The degree will be officially announced by Michelle DenBeste, interim dean of the College of Social Sciences at Fresno State; Michelle Calvarese, chair of the Department of Geography and City and Regional Planning; and McCaffrey Homes at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 8, at McCaffrey Homes headquarters (7020 N. Van Ness Blvd.) in Fresno.
The Geography and City and Regional Planning Department partnered with McCaffrey Homes to provide students with hands-on experience in design and infrastructure through a case study class on the Tesoro Viejo development, a 1,600-acre site at the foot of Little Table Mountain.
Jointly owned by the McCaffrey and Lyles families, the new Tesoro Viejo community is a community located off Highway 41 in Madera County’s designated growth area, Rio Mesa.
Students will learn about the community designed to be a vibrant hub for southeast Madera County with housing and business opportunities, a walkable town center with an open-air plaza, thriving industry and neighborhood parks and schools. Recognized for its innovative design and sustainable living, the community will include more than 15 miles of trails; 400 acres of parks, recreation and open spaces; and an on-site fire station and sheriff substation.
“We commend the efforts of Fresno State to deliver a city and regional planning degree program that will go far in serving the needs of our region,” said Brent McCaffrey, president of McCaffrey Homes. “We are thrilled to invest in the higher education of students in an area that is of critical importance for the future of our community.”
The University received strong community support from regional planners, city officials and corporations like PG&E, as well as scholarship funds donated by McCaffrey Homes, Bonadelle Homes, Granville Homes, Penstar Group and Silkwood Ventures.
The new program, which replaces an option within the geography major that has been offered since 2014, will require completion of 120 units (including 42 units in major requirements).
For more information, please contact Lucero Benitez at 559.278.4381 or lbenitez@csufresno.edu.
