European Master of Urbanism: Methodology

The course consists of a seminar methodology in research and design, a workshop methods and techniques and writing a position paper. It aims to provide the students with (1) important theoretical and practical clues for developing a critical academic attitude towards research and design in urbanism, and (2) in-depth understanding of important theories, methods and techniques in the field, with the focus on design research and research by design. The course consists of different assignments that deliver material that can be discussed in the group and helps to develop an individual, and knowledge based design attitude. On one hand it provides some specific methods and techniques for urban design and landscape architecture, and on the other, it provides backgrounds on general scientific research tools and criteria.

During the seminar different texts in contemporary theory and practice of urbanism will be examined and discussed. These texts are organized and selected around four themes. It starts by elaborating Urbanism as a practical science addressing different academic perspectives, critical thinking, case-study research and the design process. Next, some Paradigms in urban design and landscape architecture will be looked at. Then the role of drawing and mapping will be assessed in Graphic knowledge representation. The seminar ends by considering the Landscape as process, 3d-construction, context and/or history.

Hands-on workshops will provide the students with some practical methods and techniques for urban design and landscape architecture. The exercises promote the dialogue between academic research (design research) and the design practice (research by design) in urbanism. Practitioners and researchers from the field will introduce and guide the students via an assignment through different design-oriented approaches such as the layer-approach, strategy of 2 networks, building spatial scenario’s and strategic landscape intervention.