Course content

This is a foundational course for the master’s Programme in Urban Planning (Byplanlegging) at NTNU and associated programmes. The main questions that drive this course are: What makes a city (and a "place"), and who shapes them? How do buildings, spaces and infrastructure relate to the people using these? What is the role of professionals such as urban planners, real estate developers and architects in creating cities and places? 

The course's main objective is to promote a better understanding of the city based on urban history, urban morphology, typologies of neighbourhoods, buildings and places and how to evaluate them.  

The course consists of two parts. First, it examines contemporary perspectives on the nature of cities and built form, and second, it explores the role of various urban development professionals. It also considers the role of other stakeholders who produce cities. 

The course will contribute to the master thesis (BYP4400) by promoting relevant knowledge on human settlements in combination with basic research and writing skills and normative competence.

Learning outcome

Upon successfully completing this module, candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:

Knowledge

- Knowledge of conceptual literature on cities at different scales and in different contexts, and the ability to refer to these in one's own reflections.

- Advanced knowledge of key models and paradigms for urban development from a historical and contemporary perspective.

Skills

- Familiarity with methods for urban observation, such as situation analysis and place-based observation. 

- Ability to map the roles of different actors in "urban development" and define one's own role in this process.

- Ability to assess urban qualities

Learning methods and activities

This will be achieved through a series of lectures combined with individual and group work, which may include urban walks, place-based observations, and interviews with a variety of stakeholders. 

This course is offered to international master's students. Language of instruction is English.

Compulsory assignments

• 80% Mandatory attandance

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Bachelor's degree or equivalent with a specialization of at least 80 ECTS credits in planning-related subject areas.

Course materials

Readings will be made available in the learning platform.

Some exemplary readings e.g. for preparation are:

"Seeing Like a City" by Amin Ash and Nigel Thrift, Polity Press, 2017, "Design of Cities" by Edmund Bacon, 1967, "The City in History" by Louis Mumford, "Cities for people" by Jan Gehl, "Soft City" by David Slim, Francoise Labbe, Caroline Nowacki, 2011. "Cities and Forms", "Stedsanalyse - Innhold og gjennomføring" (Miljøverndepartamentet), "Mellom jord og himmel, En bok om steder og hus" by Christian Norberg-Schulz, Jane Jacobs "The Death and Life of Great American Cities", 1961

Credit reductions