In my three-week whirlwind study abroad program through Europe I was enlightened to many of the unique planning practices each country held.

Our program started in Dortmund, Germany, the future location of an international horticulture event called the International Garden Exhibition (IGA) 2027. Our task was to work with German university students to reimagine a former cooking plant into an engaging park for all ages and seasons. We toured former IGA locations and got first-hand experience in how investment in parks and green spaces can draw people in and the benefits these spaces have for the community. This project was a good challenge, as it was the first time I, and many other students, had the opportunity to design a space. MSU’s urban and regional planning program primarily focuses on policy rather than design, so working together to create a space for IGA 2027 was refreshing and opened my eyes to many other types of planning.

Our next stop was the Netherlands where we toured many of the large cities with long histories. From Amsterdam to Den Haag, Utrecht, and Delft, we learned about the evolution of their transportation systems, water management, and future development projects. I, personally, was fascinated with the Netherlands’ approach to planning. The use of urban growth boundaries, well-established bike networks and infrastructure, and progressive planning mindset impressed me. These experiences have had a profound impact on my mindset towards what’s possible in the field of planning.

Thessaloniki, Greece was the final stop on our three-week program. Of all the countries this one felt most foreign because the language script was not Romanic and the city structure was unique. My biggest takeaway from Thessaloniki is how different planning there is compared to other European countries and the United States. When undertaking development projects, the primary concern is whether or not you may come across something of archeological importance. In Greece, it’s hard not to find ruins because of the rich history of the area. This fact is also what prolonged the construction of the metro to take fifty years, being completed only this past November. Some of the archeological finds were important enough that they include mini museums within the metro stations where you can look at ancient ruins.

Overall, the experience helped me to understand how many countries can have similar drivers of development, yet the way they pursue and accomplish their goals can be completely unique from each other. This diversity in thinking not only creates an environment tailored to the needs of their residents but also shows the character and history of the country. I’m sure the same would be true for other countries I have yet to visit, but I would love to be able to go out there again and encounter other cultures’ planning practices.

Name: Shae Burnham
Status: Master’s student
Major: Urban and Regional Planning
Hometown: Batavia, Illinois
Program: European Planning and Practice