Urban Planning and Design (UPD)
The Urban Planning and Design track aims at taking a lead in the integration of the professional traditions of Urban Planning and Urban Design. Acknowledging their different knowledge foundations as well as the difference in pedagogical traditions in their professional training, this specialisation track aims to draw the best from each, whilst reaching in many ways beyond the two disciplines: the generative strength of urban design which enables one to structure and visualise the urban proposals in space and time will be combined with the analytic rigour of urban planning (analysis and policy role).
It is our belief that our teaching methodologies will form an advanced competence that inspires professional development through experimentation and innovation, grounded on a solid base of knowledge.
Scope
Urban landscapes are going through rapid and complex demographic, economic, technological and political transformations that accelerate the need for multi-disciplinary and cross-collaborative approaches. This reflects a general recognition that urban environments are inherently complex and diverse and that the consequent need for planning and design interventions on a systems level is a necessity.
The Urban Planning and Design track is a collaboration between the Department of Architecture and the Department of Urban Planning & Environment. This track fills a growing demand for a more complete professional profile that will shape, manage and improve the quality of the urban environment. Urban Planning and Design is ultimately a strategic and systematic way of meeting the challenges of sustainable development through a collaborative and multi-disciplinary process. Importance is placed on exploring the links that urban planning and design builds between social, cultural, economic, political and ecological factors, real estate and development trends, and public policies and infrastructure systems.
Professional roles
The Urban Planning and Design track is oriented towards architects, urban/physical/town planners and landscape architects who have received their professional degree and want to continue with their graduate and post-graduate studies or professional work.
The ability to demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the complex ways in which cities function ultimately strengthens the role of architects and town planners in the process of urban development. The new professionals will develop an advanced understanding of the major forces that shape cities: power structures and decision-making processes, the role of corporations, investors, and interest groups, legal framework and urban regulations, new technologies, etc.
The Urban Planning and Design track offers professional tools that will enable the graduates to serve as critical links across disciplines and professions, and will engage in the totality of planning & design. Career opportunities include sustainable planning and design, urban renewal, project management, policy development, planning negotiations, transportation, community development, working for orga¬nisations such as local authorities, government and private architectural, urban planning and design firms, and consultancies.
Skills and abilities
The Urban Planning and Design track combines theoretical and design studio courses that reach beyond the existing conventions of urban planning and urban design. Included are courses in urban theory, sustainable planning and design, social issues and real estate finance that provide students with a broad understanding of the forces that shape urbanisation at local and regional level, and on a global scale. The structure of the curriculum is based on the development of design strategies for solving a wide range of contemporary urban problems.
Rigorous sequence of studio work lies at the heart of the programme and covers a broad range of topics in both Nordic-European and international settings. Stockholm serves as an urban planning and experimental design lab for problem solving and development, and as a testing ground for new urban typologies. The studios are integrated and thematically coordinated with the theoretical courses. Particular emphasis is placed upon the Masters’ thesis work, structured around the process of thorough research and practice in the second year of study.
