Information on this page is based on last year's program. Prices, dates, and itineraries may change. Please continue to check this site, or send an email to studyabroad@wayne.edu to be notified when next year's information is available.

This course/study tour will provide students with thte chance to experience and reflect upon five aspects of urban planning in a comparative context. Topics include housing and community development, economic development and management growth, as well as two key cross-cutting issues: the impacts of racial discrimination and intergovernmental relations.

You'll spend twelve days with your group in three South African cities—Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Differing ethnically and economically, they take different approaches to planning, though they have important spatial similarities and common problems. Comparative analysis of these cities and the Detroit metropolitan region provides rich learning opportunities. Students will be exposed to alternative ways to address problems that confront Southeast Michigan, as well as important planning challenges not found in Detroit, providing lessons for urban development and planning practice in the U.S.

UP 5999 (3 credits), Special Topics in Urban Planning. You will be introduced to the major themes and topics to be covered on the study tour during three class sessions held prior to departure, covering both intellectual and administrative matters. Overview readings covering recent South African political and economic history, contemporary urban issues and the adminstrative context for planning will be required for all students. In addition, you will be directed to specific topics for which you will be responsible during the trip. Based on this preparation, you will lead discussion sessions in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

Lectures by leading academics at the University of Witwatersrand and the University of Cape Town will provide an overview of current issues and best practices. Presentations by public officials from all three levels of government will explicate contemporary practice and higlight current priorities and key city projects. In Johannesburg, roundtable discussions with city planners from different departments and with planning students from the University of Witwatersrand will help students get a more practical understanding of their specialized topics. In Cape Town, a half-day panel on racial reconciliation will feature both membersof the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and selected individuals who testified before it and provide extended "off the record" time for questions and discussion. Site visits will include high-profile city projects; informal housing settlements, NGO sponosored housing and the townships; and walking tours of both CBDs and ethnic neighborhoods. These visits will typically include presentations by local guides from the NGO or corporate sector. The trip will also include a visit to the Apartheid Museum and to Robben Island.

For a travel itinerary, expense summary and payment schedule, click here.

An add-on tour to Umlani Game Preserve is also available. Umlani Buschcamp is a classic African safari camp located in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park. This authentic camp is the ultimate experience of true wilderness and seclusion, accomodating only 16 guests in traditional African reed and thatch huts. Umlani's philosophy of simplistic luxury and 'getting back to nature' is enhanced by the romance of operating without electricity. Enjoy the warm atmosphere of candlelight and oil lamps as well as open-air bush showers fuelled by wood fires. The accomodation offers you all the privacy and superior comfort you need for uniterrupted relaxation. Umlani's award winning cuisine will take you on a gastronomic tour of African styled food. The Umlani add-on, 2-5 June, includes motor coach transportation from Johannesburg with lunch onboard and 3 nights at Umlani Bushcamp including all meals, beverages, game drives and guided walks. Return to Detroit is afternoon 6 June. For more information on the tour, click here.

In addition to completing the required reading, you will select a specialized topic in concert with course faculty. Before the trip, you will prepare a short briefing paper on that topic for members of the tour group. During the trip, you will be responsible for taking a lead role in shaping the discussion for at least one session, e.g, a seminar presentation for students at the University of Witwatersrand, or leading the discussion with a city transportation planner. You will also be expected to keep and submit a professional journal that chronicles your observations and learnings during the trip.

Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, South Africa

Spring 2006

May to June 2006 with travel to South Africa May 20 to June 3

$2650. Cost includes airfare, lodging with breakfast, in-country transportation and two class functions with reception and dinner. Program fees may change due to unexpected increases in airline surcharges.  If this occurs, those fees will be passed on to program participants.

Graduate standing or consent of the instructor

Please note that you are required to pay tuition for 3 credit hours at your appropriate rate, payable through the normal tuition payment process. For more information, click here.

Office of Study Abroad and Global Programs
5155 Gullen Mall
1600 Undergraduate Library
Detroit, MI 48202
Tel: 313-577-3207
www.studyabroad.wayne.edu

A non-refundable deposit of $410 is due November 28.

The remaining four payments of $560 are due January 15, February 15, March 15 and April 15. If you are accepted into the program after payments begin, you will be expected to be current with payments as soon as possible.

The deposit and all payments are to be made out to Wayne State University. The deposit and all payments can be made by check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. Students wanting to pay program fees with either a Visa or MasterCard must print out the credit card authorization form and submit it to the office with the appropriate information.

Additionally, you are required to pay tuition for 3 credit hours at your appropriate rate, which is payable through the normal tuition payment process.

Shannon Walker
Office of Study Abroad and Global Programs
5155 Gullen Mall
1600 Undergraduate Library
Detroit, MI 48202
studyabroad@wayne.edu

Participants are responsible for all program fees until notification is received by Study Abroad and Global Programs. Refunds are subject to the refund policy as listed below.

The non-refundable $410 deposit is due November 28. The Office of Study Abroad and Global Programs guarantees space on the program for participants upon receipt of the confirmation deposit. At that point, the Office of Study Abroad and Global Programs incurs non-recoverable costs. Therefore, any participant who cancels at any time after the confirmation deposit has been received will be responsible for the deposit in addition to the following, upon cancellation from the program:

Cancellation Period Refund

Video: "Proud to be African"

Video: "South Africa: Alive with Possiblility"

Program Application

Program Application with Umlani Add-on Tour

P. Anthony Brinkman
Geography and Urban Planning
227.3 State Hall
(313) 577- 0541
brinkman@wayne.edu

Avis C. Vidal
Geography and Urban Planning
225 State Hall
(313) 577-8842
a.vidal@wayne.edu

Shannon Walker
Office of Study Abroad and Global Programs
1600 David Adamany Undergraduate Library
(313) 577-3207
studyabroad@wayne.edu

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