The specialization in housing and community development provides students with an understanding of theory and practice in urban development, particularly physical development in neighborhoods. It requires students to address both housing and its community context (as opposed to focusing more narrowly on either housing or neighborhoods alone).<br><br>While the principles and skills included have broad applicability, course content emphasizes metropolitan areas and pays particular attention to conditions, policies and strategies central to the challenge of strengthening disadvantaged urban core communities. Students completing this specialization may find employment in public planning and community development agencies, community-based organizations, or with private developers.<br><br>The Detroit metropolitan area provides an outstanding laboratory for the study of these issues and processes. Economic and demographic restructuring has led to conditions that are prototypical of older central cities and mature suburbs. At the same time, portions of the region continue to experience growth and development with the attendant problems of planning and management. This broad range of existing conditions provides students with the opportunity to gain experience in all facets of the housing and community development process.