University College Dublin
An Coláiste Ollscoile, Baile Átha Cliath
The capacity to develop planning and urban design solutions, to analyse them critically and to provide guidance in regard to their implementation is one for which there is a growing demand. Furthermore, urban design lies at the interface of architecture and urban planning, with both disciplines contributing complementary but contrasting approaches to urban design theory and practice. In this context, the MSc Planning, Development & Urban Design has been specifically tailored to enable fully-qualified architects to further develop, build upon and enhance relevant pre-existing professional knowledge, understanding, and skills, to specialise in both spatial planning and urban design. The programme also draws upon the particular research strengths of the School, providing students with the opportunity to engage with innovative approaches to sustainable and resilient urbanism, exploring emerging challenges surrounding the role of urban design in mitigating or adapting to climate change, in promoting ‘healthy’ cities or neighbourhoods, and the incorporation of ‘nature’ into design (e.g. nature-based solutions) to address habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss.
The MSc Planning, Development & Urban Design is fully accredited (both spatial and specialist) by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). UCD Regional and Urban Planning has over 50 years’ experience delivering high quality planning education and is Ireland’s leading planning research centre.
Engineering at UCD is highly attractive to students due to the exposure to world leading researchers and the significant career prospects.
This is an intensive, taught graduate programme (90 ECTS), comprising core modules in spatial planning, and in the specialist area of urban design, encompassing key areas of theory and practice, three major studio modules, research methods training, a thesis / design thesis, and professional development skills training.
For full-time students, the programme is one year’s duration (three semesters / 12 months), and lectures, studios, etc., take place throughout the week.
The part-time mode of study involves attendance at approximately 6 hours of daytime classes (lectures, studio, etc.) each week in the autumn and spring teaching terms (12 weeks each), though the exact number of hours varies and may be up to around 9 hours per week. Part-time students are expected to spend around 20 hours per week learning independently. Part-time study is continuous over the course of two academic years, including summers. Over the summer period, students are expected to continue to spend the same number of hours studying and to attend meetings with a research supervisor.
The pathway mode involves part-time study in the autumn and spring of years 1 and 2, and in the spring and summer of the final year. This may be completed in three to four (maximum) academic years.
Indicative Module List:
*Graduates who have previously completed the module Introduction to Urban Design must select one of the following in its place: Economics and Property Markets (5 credits) Geographical Information Systems for Policy and Planning (5 credits)
The programme is open to applications from fully qualified architects, i.e. applicants must have completed their architectural education and be listed on a recognised statutory professional architectural register (e.g. RIAI, ARB) or fully qualified and registered as an architect in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC (recognition of professional qualifications), or other international equivalent.