I am applying to grad programs this fall and am questioning whether I should pursue concurrent degrees in MCRP and MLA. I am interested in sustainable urban design, with my primary focuses being transportation planning and ecological landscapes.

I worked as a civil engineer for a time and loved detailing out graphics and construction specs. What I didn't enjoy, however, was how the overarching decisions were already made. There was some design flexibility, but a lot of what we did was figuring out the math. This is what makes me lean towards planning. I want to influence the "theme" of the place, prioritize modes of transit, and design the bike/ped infrastructure.

However, I also want to design landscapes that provide ecological benefits. I love getting into the details of stormwater use, soil health, food production, and climate-resilient design. Reading plans and getting every detail correct is very enjoyable to me. 

That said, I am not concerned with the artsy side of landscape architecture. I want to learn design to create functional places, rather than just aesthetically pleasing ones. I am also uninterested in only the policy side of planning. I can't be the type of urban planner that just reads documents and organizes funding for 20 years from now.

Given all that, do you think pursuing an MLA is right for me? What about an MCRP?

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Thank you all!