The program is practically and professionally oriented. Pratt faculty and students are known for their innovative work in these four areas. This work is often undertaken on behalf of community-based and public sector clients, and it is done in a spirit of commitment to environmental sustainability, social equity and public participation in urban governance. Taught by accomplished and active professionals, the program offers planners-in-training concrete skills that help them to influence and guide the many forces – ecological, economic, political and cultural – shaping cities and neighborhoods. Students become fluent in applying tools like land use regulation, community mapping, environmental impact analysis, advocacy, strategic planning and real estate development in real situations with real clients. Seminars courses, studios, and a capstone thesis project take students into the field to work with municipal agencies and community-based organizations on a variety of projects.