Urban Design (PGDip PGCert)

Course Structure

1. ["Urban Design Studio I is a studio project-based module in which you apply the theoretical and operational concepts of urban design to a \'live\' study site. You work in groups to produce design policy, site analysis, site proposals at appropriate scales and design rationales for the site in question. Ideas are tested through a public exhibition of work in the locality under study and through feedback from local experts. You are supported in this work by a series of tutorials with academic staff and professionals in practice.", \'Urban Design Theory I is a lecture and seminar based module in which you are introduced to the theoretical concepts underpinning current urban design practice approaches. The module includes the history and theory of urban design, the introduction of design approaches, and urban morphology. You are made aware of how urban form is produced and consumed and of the political and economic context of development. Subsequent lectures and seminars also cover urban movement frameworks looking at competition between different users of public space, and building typologies, density and character.\', \'Urban Design Practice I and II are workshop-based modules that introduce you to the essential skills required by urban design professionals. The workshop content includes communication skills (design graphic production, design rationale production, techniques for carrying out consultation, personal presentation skills) using Space Syntax as a design tool, producing economic feasibility studies and using spreadsheets as a design tool, sun path analysis and techniques for group working.\', \'Urban Design Studio II is a studio project-based module in which you continue to apply the theoretical and operational concepts of urban design to a case study site. You work on your own to produce site proposals at appropriate scales, 3D renderings, financial feasibility studies, sun angle analysis and individual design rationales for the site in question, based on the master plan produced in Urban Design Studio I. You are supported in this work by a series of tutorials with academic staff and professionals in practice.\', \'Urban Design Theory II is structured around a core compulsory lecture series and a set of optional seminars from which you choose to attend two. Following the module Urban Design Theory I, this lecture and seminar-based module presents more detailed urban design theory and method. The module covers design for the sensory experience of space, problematic building types and mixed use, density issues, regeneration, guiding, and theory and practice. You are presented with a generic and contemporary issue. Working in a group, you then refine the issue and define terms of reference and methods of working. The specific topic varies from year to year reflecting current concerns, but could include cover coding and briefing for local identity, community design involvement, designing for distinctiveness or applying good urban design in relation to modern economic practice. The methods identified in this module are carried over for application in Urban Design Issues II.\', \'Urban Design Issues II is a continuation of the issues and methods defined and identified in Urban Design Issues I. The specific topic covered reflects current concerns, but could include coding and briefing for local identity, community design involvement, designing for distinctiveness or applying good urban design in relation to modern economic practice. This module will normally involve an overseas and/or UK field visit. You will produce a group report that addresses the issue(s) and uses the methods identified in the module Urban Design Issues I. The group report will contain individual student inputs in the form of individual chapters or papers as part of the overall group report. You will receive both a group and an individual mark.\', \'Urban Design Development Seminars consists of a set of specialist topic seminars. The topics will vary, but will normally cover such subjects as coding and briefing, issues of local identity, urban landscape design, movement and mobility, and globalisation and design.\', \'Research Methods in Design aims to advance your knowledge and understanding of research methods available to architects and urban designers. It presents illustrations of a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods and provides a forum for debate about research as well as giving you the opportunity to gain practical research skills. General research strategies are complemented by a focus on urban design specific techniques based on current practice. Through the use of live research within the department, your abilities to evaluate research and the role of research are developed.\', "Master\'s Dissertation comprises a substantial piece of individual research on a topic selected by you and which is appropriate to the field of urban design, and the production of a major dissertation. Building on work carried out during the postgraduate diploma stage, this module will encourage you to develop an enhanced awareness of the importance of an independent and rigorous approach to urban design theory and practice ."]