MSc Urban Design

We generally use Glasgow as a living laboratory for our studio project. Our City is an example of  a European metropolis experiencing change and globalisation,. You will learn to develop appropriate strategies for resilient sustainable urban development, encompassing social, political, economic, environmental, architectural, aesthetic and psychological aspects. You'll work on the design of a complex urban area, generally on commission of a real client (local authority, housing association, community group or private developer). In addition you'll work at the interconnected levels of the entire city, the neighbourhood and the individual public space defined by urban architecture.

Studio meets once a week in Semesters 1 and 2 with design development work taking place between sessions. You'll work in multidisciplinary teams of architects, planners, geographers and economists, in the same way you'll do in practice. Work is fast-paced but also in-depth. You'll have considerable responsibility (ie presenting to clients and organising public events), but it is also a lot of fun.

The class covers how elements such as streets, squares, urban blocks have changed through time and what factors shaped them.

This class looks at the economic, policy and implementation aspects of urban design, studied through theory and practical examples.

You'll look at how urban ideas, theories and approaches have responded to contextual conditions in time and how they have shaped human lives and the environment for generations to come. Also explored is the current urban challenges and the fit of current urban design tools and approaches.

We'll cover the impact of growth on social, economic and environmental sustainability.

You'll look at the impact of the urban landscape on human wellbeing and perception and the role of ecological networks as an integral part of urban form.

Key tools for the effective representation and visual communication of urban design ideas, strategies, projects.

On completion of Semesters 1 and 2, you will undertake a written thesis over the third semester. In previous years, students have produced exceptional work including the study and comparison of urban form, the role of urban design in disaster scenarios, the design and management of infrastructure, and informal urbanism. The production of the thesis results in innovative outlooks which combine the students’ interests to the Unit’s very special take on urban design. The tutoring team is open and supportive, always ready to nurture new ideas and to share its current work.