Department of Development Geography’s history begin from the collaboration between the Faculty of Geography UGM with Rijksuniversiteit Utrecht (RUU) atau University of Utrecht – The Netherlands entitled “Rural and Regional Development Planning (RRDP)” in 1985. The research collaboration, up-grading staff, and the development of the quality of human resources then spawned the Regional and Transmigration Development Planning Study Program which was confirmed by SK No.22/DIKTI/Kep/1985. In its journey the status of this study program experienced various adjustments. In 1990, this study program became the Regional Development Planning Department (PPW). In 1995, there was a streamlining of study programs at the Faculty of Geography so that there was only one study program, namely the Geography Study Program. In this period the Regional Development Planning Department (PPW) became an interest in the field of science in the Geography Study Program. Furthermore, in 2001 Regional Development Planning was confirmed as a study program under the name of the Regional Development Study Program based on UGM Rector’s Decree No.54 / P / SK / PD / 2001 dated May 1, 2001.
In 2007 there was a restructuring of the Faculty of Geography which placed the Regional Development Study Program as part of the Geography and Regional Development Information Science Department (SIG-PW), along with the study program of Cartography and Remote Sensing. Until finally in 2015, the Regional Development Study Program was under the Department of Development Geography and based on the Decree of BAN-PT NO. 053/BAN-PT/Ak-AXII/S1/IV/2010 dated April 16, 2010. Regional Development Study Program of the Faculty of Geography UGM received accreditation “A” (Valid until now).
| year | Status | Name | Legality |
| 1985 | Study Program | Regional Planning and Transmigration | DIKTI Decree
No.22/DIKTI/Kep/1985 |
| 1990 | Study Program | Regional Development Planning | – |
| 1995 | Specialization in the study program | Regional Development Planning | – |
| 2001 | Study Program | Regional Development | UGM Rector Decree No.54/P/SK/PD/2001 |
| 2015 | Study Program, Department | Regional Development, Departemen of Development Geography |