Master of Urban Design

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to facilitate better inter-disciplinary cooperation within the three dimensional design of the overlapping and in-between spaces of towns and cities where Architects, Landscape Architects and associated professions such as planning and transport engineering have a common interest. More specifically, it enhances the capacity of Architects and Landscape Architects to engage and work at larger scales rather than at the single erf/site. It is a critically important skill, given the disjointed nature of our cities and towns.

Urban design has risen to prominence in many countries through greater environmental concern. It is important that access be enhanced through a shorter, one-year qualification which in this context cannot be divorced from socio-economic factors.

Upon qualifying the learner will be able to

• Combine visual and verbal techniques in advancing the idea of integrated urban design at a precinct scale.
• Conduct independent research and engage in analysis and synthesis of an urban design problem through the formulation and presentation of a research project.
• Develop strategic urban design intervention at a sub-regional to local scale.

Rationale

Urban design is a discipline rather than a narrowly defined scientific field of study. It straddles the divide between Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Planning. This field of study is internationally recognised and extends the aims of urban planning to include the more aesthetic aspects of human habitation as well as those of sustainability. The qualification is aligned with similar qualifications of universities in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth Countries such as Australia. The growth in the number of urban design schools reflects the increased demand for urban design expertise in the wake of greater environmental concern and changes within the planning arena.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

For the purpose of admission into the qualificationlearners willbe assessed as per the institution's RPL Policy and Procedures.

The RPL admission route requires that learners submit a portfolio of evidence of the knowledge and skills achieved through non-academic means. The information will be assessed in accordance with the receiving faculty's rules and regulations. Learners who meet the criteria will be allowed to proceed towards registration.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entrance requirement is

• A Bachelor Honours Degree in Architecture or Landscape Architecture, Level 8.

Or

• A Postgraduate Diploma in Architecture or Landscape Architecture, Level 8.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 9, totalling 184 Credits.

Compulsory Modules

• Urban Design Representation, 12 Credits.
• Planning Theory and Practice, 12 Credits.
• Theory of Urban Design 1, 12 Credits.
• Urban Design Studio, 48 Credits.
• Research Methods for Urban Design, 20 Credits.
• Urban Design Theory 2, 20 Credits.
• Urban Design Research Project, 60 Credits.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of historical and contemporary concepts of urban space design.
2. Use analytical and presentation skills (both manual/hand drawn and computer based) in the urban design studio.
3. Engage with strategic urban design interventions at a sub-regional to local scale.
4. Demonstrate integrated research and urban design skills.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• The value of urban design is investigated by considering the performance at a local area/precinct scale.
• An understanding of urban design, key moments in the history of urban design, the role of urban design relative to other professions of the built environment; the value of theory and conceptual frameworks; the value of morphological and typological analysis and the role of urban design in the global South is demonstrated.
• A case study analysis (both international and local) is conducted to understand the role of urban design and the urban design practice is reflected upon.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• An understanding of the dynamic nature of graphic software evolution and the breadth of communication options available to designers is shown.
• A combination of techniques are used to suit different design problems.
• An understanding of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is demonstrated.
• The potential of imaginative urban design is understood and appreciated to influence higher order decisions in a discursive and visually accessible and demonstrative manner through engagement in 'the art of the possible' (catalytic mode).
• Existing contexts/situations are successfully analysed and mapped for the purpose of informing responsive urban design solutions at precinct scale.
• Visual and verbal techniques are combined in advancing the idea of integrated urban design at precinct scale.
• Urban design solutions that extend across space and time are communicated with other disciplines of the built environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Sites are selected for simulated projects which then become the subject of focused urban design exercises.
• Urban design intervention is considered at both a catalytic and responsive level.
• Physical place making is considered in the context of social, political and economic constraints.
• Review of strategies and ideas are continually refined and synthesised and strategies and ideas are presented in the studio.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• A problem statement, the design of the research, the methodologies to be adopted, sources to be consulted; interview strategies, a bibliography and the relation of the proposed research project to urban design discourse are developed.
• Appropriate urban design theories via a literature review are identified and related to theory and topical themes within the current urban design discourse.
• The relevance of theory is investigated and communicated via case study analysis.
• A well-defined urban design issue or question is identified and addressed in the context of a selected site.
• Design orientated research findings are evaluated and analysed according to explicit and well-defined criteria and a design response to the issue/question is defended.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment will be ongoing, whether the learner is engaged in studio work, course work or research. Assessment will evaluate a learner's ability to grasp a problem, to work creatively with constraints, to gather, analyse, synthesise, evaluate and interpret the necessary information, and to formulate, articulate, develop and represent a relevant and sophisticated response.

Formative assessment focuses on the learner's ability to generate and develop ideas and possible solutions within the requirements and constraints posed by the problem under investigation. Formative assessment is viewed as a response to the learner's output with the possibility of further development upon critical reflection.

Summative assessment focuses on the learner's response to the requirements and constraints posed by the problem and will take the form of a final examination of and oral presentation of the Urban Design Research Project at the end of the academic year. The qualification requires considerable fieldwork in the Cape Town area and in some cases field trips to other parts of the country will be arranged. Each project will culminate in the submission of a document and the oral presentation of project work.