Course content

This course focuses on urban planning and design for sustainable development and placemaking within a selected study area in a Norwegian municipality. It addresses complex urban challenges in relation to sustainability and climate change. 

Working in interdisciplinary teams, students will interact with community stakeholders and develop skills to describe, analyze, and interpret the local context from a broad perspective. This includes spatial and architectural characteristics, as well as environmental, social, and economic dimensions. 

The course emphasizes the development of visionary principles and strategies for planning, placemaking and the design of the built environment in the context local and broader sustainability and climate frameworks. 

Initially, the studio focuses on the analysis and understanding of a local context within a geographical and functional context. Students will undertake urban analysis, data collection, and synthesizing information using GIS tools. This will be the foundation for the preparation of local development objectives, comprehensive planning and design strategies, and a shared vision and goals for the study area.

Part Two involves developing planning and design proposals for placemaking. These include detailed, site-specific concepts and recommendations for regulatory plans aligned with Norwegian planning law.

Part Three requires the preparation of an exhibition and presentations.

Projects are developed in smaller groups of 3-4 students. 

The methodologies taught within the course provide a foundation for the Urban Planning Master’s thesis work. These include project work, site surveys, and place-based analysis using qualitative, quantitative, and participatory methods. Students will be required to document their learning in an individual portfolio. This will be supported by seminars focused on methods for literature review and academic writing, and theoretical and methodological frameworks.

Learning outcome

After finishing the course, the candidate should have achieved the following: 

Knowledge 

The candidate should be able to: 

• Describe and discuss various perspectives and approaches to urban planning and design for sustainable urban development in Norway.  

• Understand Norwegian planning law, planning systems, decision-making and governance processes.

• Analyze and present urban plans within relevant thematic areas such as climate adaptation/mitigation, housing, mobility, green/blue structure, and public space. 

Skills 

The candidate should be able to: 

• apply analytical methods and tools to evaluate the local context, urban structures, and the built environment. 
• develop and critically assess strategies and concrete proposals for sustainable urban development at a local level. 

• communicate evidence-based arguments effectively through visual, oral, and written formats, adapted to different stakeholder groups. 

General competence 

The candidate should be able to: 

• integrate knowledge from various disciplines within urban planning and design to support sustainable development, combining scientific and design approaches in project proposals. 
• collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary teams with an emphasis on participatory processes. 

• justify planning proposals using scientific evidence, practical experience, and value-based reasoning. 

• visualize and communicate planning proposals clearly and persuasively to a range of stakeholders. 

Learning methods and activities

Students work in groups and individually, supported by lectures, workshops, seminars. The studio participates in activities and collaboration with Norwegian municipalities, local authorities and stakeholders.

Group work focuses on project development with presentation and exhibition, while individual work includes thematic seminars and an individual course portfolio.

Students are expected to actively participate in all educational events, presentations and exhibitions.

Optional excursions can be arranged as part of the teaching of the course. The teacher will inform students at the start of the semester if there will be an opportunity for excursions or fieldwork. For students who do not participate in optional excursions, an alternative activity will be offered.

This course is offered to incoming exchange students and will be taught in English if necessary

Compulsory assignments

• Literature Seminar Essay
• Presentation

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

A list of compulsory and reference literature and study material will be presented at the start of the design studio

Credit reductions