MSc Urban Design and International Planning / Course details

The course unit will have the following content:

• Introduction to the applied urban design dissertation approach
• Introduction to design by enquiry approach and other related urban design methodologies
• How to develop a design dissertation proposal
• The urban design dissertation structure – Introduction / analysis / design / evaluate
• Secondary research – literature review / policy / best practice case studies / development / statistics
• Primary research – urban design analysis techniques and approaches / contextual appraisals / opportunities and constraints qualitative and quantitative methods (including consultation and engagement).
• The design strategic framework and principles – It development, role, and application.
• Concepts / options / testing design (including design by enquiry)
• Detailing the design proposal
• Evaluating the scheme
• Presenting the design project
• Crits and peer-review.
•  Supervisory and technical support sessions.

 The course unit aims to:

• Provide students with an opportunity to plan, manage and conduct a programme of research on a urban design applied project;
• Further students’ knowledge of a relevant body of literature, and to develop powers of critical reasoning
• Allow students to explore and evaluate international best practice urban design
• Develop fully students’ knowledge of, and competence in, an appropriate range of design research methods, including the development of a study proposal, an appreciation of urban design led methodologies and analytical techniques, development of clear design principles and objectives, the undertaking of a specific design project, the synthesis and evaluation of the design process, and a clear statement of conclusions.
• Develop student understanding and skills in design by enquiry process and delivery of final design proposal
• Develop students’ design, graphic, visual presentation and bibliographic skills; and
• Develop students’ experience of developing and managing a specific programme of work through to final submission.

The course unit will utilise a variety of pedagogical approaches including:

• Regular studio workshops
• Studio crits (with formative feedback)
• Peer-led design review
• The online urban design toolkit
• Regular tutorial teaching
• Technical applied design skills workshops
• Oral presentations
• Design surgeries

Knowledge and Understanding:

• Demonstrate an understand the applied urban design process
• Employ knowledge and understanding of how to integrate academic research into an applied design process
• Consider multiple strategic scenarios and design options through a design by enquiry research approach
• Demonstrate an understanding of the multi-disciplinary nature of large scale urban project delivery and feasibility

 Intellectual Skills:

• To integrate and apply urban design theory, best practice, and primary analysis in a real-world design-led scenario.
• To apply the urban design process from appraisal to delivery.
• To be able to successfully evaluate design options against strategic frameworks and wider consultation for contextually responsive design solutions
• To develop and demonstrate professional level design presentation and visualisation skills.

 Practical Skills:

• Develop a design project from early analysis to completion and post-occupancy evaluation.
• Utilise advanced design software skills and presentation techniques
• Employ design by enquiry approaches to design project development
• Ability to critique design and self-evaluate design concepts and proposals.
• To articulate and justify design choices both visually and orally.

 Transferable Skills and Personal Qualities:

• Use of Adobe creative suite; AutoCAD; Sketch-up; urban sketching; and physical modelling to present and test ideas and concepts.
• Ability to independently deliver a comprehensive urban design project to a deadline
• Presentational skills, both visual and oral.
•  Progress to employment, developing the knowledge and skills required for a professional planning/urban design career

Written report (Aims & Objectives/Method and Structure/Literature/Policy) - 3000 words and Urban Design Project Delivery (A1 boards plus 3D physical model 1:1000) - Max 8 x A1 boards [90%]

Oral design defence of final project - 20 minutes [10%]

Written feedback on the dissertation will be provided on publication of final degree results

 Barton H et al Shaping Neighbourhoods 711.001/B154

Carmona M & Tiesdell S Urban Design Reader  771.4 C374

English Partnerships Urban Design Compendium 729/E3 – also available online

Kostof S, The City Shaped and The City Assembled 711.4/K240

Larice, M. and Macdondald, E. (2013). The Urban Design Reader. Routledge, London

Moor M & Rowland J Urban Design Futures 711.4/M442

Urban Design Group, Graphics for Urban Design 711.4/M446