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Urban Design Studio for Planners
Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:33:41
Abstract
The course Urban Design Studio for Planners is an introduction to urban design through design workshops supported by tutorials and input lectures. What added value can the tools and concepts of urban design give to planning approaches? In this course students will learn how to observe, analyse, and design functional, desirable, equitable, sustainable urban spaces.
Objective
The overall aim of the course is to develop design skills for planners, from design thinking to project creation, in an urban context. On completion of the course a student should be able to • understand the multidisciplinary nature of urban design and implement it • autonomously conduct analysis and learn from case studies • create proposals in view of a particular objective and develop an urban design project
Content
Planners are responsible for developing urban areas that meet the needs of communities and prepare territories, cities, towns and villages for the challenges of the future. This practice draws from many disciplines: architecture, engineering, economics, sociology, political science, public health, finance and many others. As planning seeks to address numerous elements of city life, it is intrinsically linked to design understanding and design thinking. Urban design is the process of shaping the physical setting for life in cities, towns and villages. It involves the design of buildings, public spaces and landscapes, among others, and establishing the processes that make successful spatial development possible. Urban design is essential in making places that are successful both socially and economically, good to live in, and attractive to visit. It is effective planning in the widest sense, helping to deliver better public services, achieve value for money in new developments, and to make good use of scarce resources The course focuses on both design principles and design methodologies. This is mirrored in the hybrid structure of the course made of both of workshops, tutorials and input lectures applied in a studio setting. The design workshops will focus design methodologies in a step-by-step process, learning through tutorials how to use computer based drawing and mapping tools to develop and illustrate design proposals. The tutorials will provide the setting to learn technical skills and cover following tools: • Basic Drawing Tutorials • Project Storytelling and Graphics The input lectures will focus on design principles and design processes through presentations. They will introduce necessary key concepts on the design process and cover following theme packages: • Context Analysis • Case Studies • Developing Scenarios • Design Proposal In a studio setting, students will collaborately follow an iterative and reflective process to build design skills and graphic approaches. Through synthesis of collective learning, they will develop a project-based exchange and application of interdisciplinary ideas and techniques. This work will use a site in Switzerland as a context for exploring the complex interactions between users, program, buildings, public spaces, infrastructure, and environmental systems, and ultimately reach a multilayered outcome - the urban design project. During studio time students will therefore have the opportunity to apply concepts and tools for developing their final urban design project.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 20
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Urban Design Studio for Planners
Remark: Former title until FS22 " Planerisches Entwerfen und Argumentieren".
|
|
4 h weekly |