MSc Planning, Development & Urban Design

The capacity to develop planning and urban design solutions, to analyse them critically and to provide guidance in regard to their implementation is one for which there is a growing demand. Furthermore, urban design lies at the interface of architecture and urban planning, with both disciplines contributing complementary but contrasting approaches to urban design theory and practice. In this context, the MSc Planning, Development & Urban Design has been specifically tailored to enable fully-qualified architects to further develop, build upon and enhance relevant pre-existing professional knowledge, understanding, and skills, to specialise in both spatial planning and urban design.

The programme also draws upon the particular research strengths of the School, providing students with the opportunity to engage with innovative approaches to sustainable and resilient urbanism, exploring emerging challenges surrounding the role of urban design in mitigating or adapting to climate change, in promoting ‘healthy’ cities or neighbourhoods, and the incorporation of ‘nature’ into design (e.g. nature-based solutions) to address habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss.

This is an intensive, taught graduate programme (90 ECTS), comprising core modules in spatial planning, and in the specialist area of urban design, encompassing key areas of theory and practice, three major studio modules, research methods training, a thesis / design thesis, and professional development skills training. For full-time students, the programme is one year’s duration (three semesters / 12 months), and lectures, studios, etc., take place throughout the week. For part-time study options,

 

Indicative Module List:

Semester 1 modules (30 ECTS):

Planning Methodology, Planning Society and Diversity, Urban and Regional Development, *Introduction to Urban Design, Plan-Making Studio

Semester 2 modules (30 ECTS):

Planning Law APEP, Urban Design Studio, Nature-Based Solutions, Research Design and Methods

Semester 3 modules (30 ECTS):

Thesis or Design Thesis