Study urban design
Work at the nexus of architecture and urban and regional planning
Develop expertise in different types of urban projects, and inform your professional practice with a thorough understanding of the policy environment that drives design and development.
Over the last century, urban design gradually emerged as a distinct field in response to the need for architects and urban and regional planners to communicate efficiently. There was also a need for better design skills at urban scales: streets, street blocks, town centres, city districts, new suburbs, cross-city infrastructure etc. Since introduction, urban design has expanded enormously in response to the growing complexity of public life between buildings and within the urban domain.
Today, urban design provides a way of thinking, a framework, in response to wicked contemporary urban problems. It links design skills and innovation, with integrated socio-spatial, environmental, and political analysis of urban structure and context to achieve better outcomes for all.
Through our urban design programs, you will develop an appreciation of the historical and theoretical dimensions of urbanism and design, and expand your design skills at both suburban and metropolitan levels.
You will develop the ability to analyse contexts, define principles and provide guidance for designers and architects of buildings, landscape, and the public domain. You will be trained to refine and focus your skills in spatial thinking and visual communication.
Urban design is a growing and evolving profession, with a trajectory into leading and informing decisions at multiple scales.
Our specialist Master of Urban Design is an excellent option for professionals and graduates in architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning or closely related areas, who want to develop and extend their professional expertise, but we also welcome applicants from other disciplines.
As a graduate of our programs, you will be a highly sought-after professional able to work across a variety of projects at different levels, including national, state and local governments. You could also be involved in the private sector and work for property developers and real estate entrepreneurs.
Career pathways include:
The Bachelor of Architecture and Environments offers you a career pathway into the future of architecture, design, construction and urban planning. This multidisciplinary degree will provide you with the skills and knowledge to succeed in today’s complex global construction industries.
The Urban Studies Major will equip you with the skills and knowledge to understand the complexity of cities and to deal with urban problems that will be the centre of a vast array of professions. It will challenge you to think about the dynamic relationship between understanding cities and city-making by exposing you to a range of critical approaches and professional practices vital to urban life.
The Master of Urban Design will help you to develop expertise in different types of urban projects, and inform your professional practice with a thorough understanding of the policy environment that drives design and development.
At the master’s level, our Urban Design degree will take 1.5 years full time to complete (72 credit points).
The Master of Urbanism is a two‑year, 96-credit-point version of the specialist 18-month master’s program.
This extended timeframe enables you to experience a cross‑disciplinary approach and develop a broad knowledge of urbanism, alongside a deep specialisation in urban design.
