Master of Science in Technology and Design (Sustainable Urban Design)

This course provides an interdisciplinary overview of the methods to design, simulate and track sustainable urban development in the context of global climate change. Students will learn to investigate contemporary methods of design evaluation and improvement for sustainable development. It introduces key concepts of sustainable development, with emphasis on Net Zero Carbon, Urban Metabolism, Circular Economy and Urban Heat Island Effect. Students will apply critical thinking skills to develop a case study report on a building or urban design of their choice. During the sessions, students will creatively apply digital simulation, scenario building and lifecycle assessment tools to the case study which is developed over the duration of the course.

The subject offers foundations in computational methods and practical skills in geographic information systems and geospatial data analysis targeting urban analysis as well as design. Its objective is to enable students to employ large and complex spatial data sets via both conventional GIS but also modern methods of information processing using programming paradigms. The techniques covered including data collection, management, computation and visualisation aiming to empower urban designers and analysts to derive deep insights and support design decision using evidence-based methodology.

This course introduces students to design science where many design principles and methods will be reviewed, applied and analysed. Students will learn to make connections between design science and other fields, such as engineering, and how principles in design science can be used to advance these fields. The class will cover a broad set of design methods such as customer needs analysis, methods in creativity, functional modelling, design for X and design for testing and verification.

The course will offer a collective environment in which to construct a mode of practice whereby the processes, techniques and modes of operation that have historically modelled the landscape – and territories, are integrated into the domain of a projective urbanism. It will be intrinsic to the course a procedural methodology and the embracing of technology, both at the level of spatial production and representation. The investigation will focus on multi-functional, nature-based hybrids and design-focused coastal and nearshore plans, programmes and projects to tackle the drivers and consequences of climate change, in opposition to the mono-functional, grey infrastructure-based, engineering-minded approaches.

The course is intended to give students enrolled a working understanding of how to design, construct, and operate sustainable architecture and urban design developments and projects toward achieving carbon neutral on all aspects. Students will develop an understanding of a building’s relationship to its site’s natural systems; the building enclosure’s ability to mitigate outdoor conditions; passive systems for conditioning and lighting; mechanical heating, cooling and ventilation strategies; lighting and daylighting opportunities; site and building water cycles; and health and well-being, and advanced building and environmental system simulation through a series of lectures and workshops.