Looking at cities through the lens of architecture, the Future Initiatives Program at SCI-Arc develops innovative tools for reimagining urban environments. Participants focus on identifying adaptive and holistic-rather than rigid and segmented-responses to economic, social and environmental pressures. As a center for research and discussion, the program connects academics, theorists and architects with public agencies and those in private development to generate debate around the role of cities and urban systems. The Future Initiatives program promotes and extends its academic mission nationally and internationally via its publications, public forums, exhibitions and competitions.

Established in 2005 to complement other programs offered at SCI-Arc, Future Initiatives draws on the resources of the school, its faculty and the surrounding community. The program is led by Peter Zellner (Principal, ZELLNERPLUS Design Planning Research) and David Bergman (Principal, Metropolitan Research and Economics). Additionally, it draws on the expertise of a global network of peers established to support its mission.

The SCIFI program is open to students who hold a professional degree in architecture or a bachelor's degree or equivalent in any field, including interdisciplinary applicants from fields such as planning, urban design, landscape architecture, real estate and geography. The program requires attendance in the fall, spring and summer terms.

FINAL APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THE 2010-2011 CLASS: MARCH 1, 2010.

For more information, please visit http://www.sciarc.edu/portal/programs/graduate/scifi/index.html, or contact the SCI-Arc Admissions Office at 213.356.5320 or [email protected].