Programme objectives

The information is valid for students who started the program academic year 2019/2020. Later decisions may affect year 2 in the program. Please look at www.kth.se/studies?l=en_UK for further information.

In addition to the general objectives for Masters programmes as stated in the national degree ordinance and the local degree policy of KTH, specific learning outcomes are defined for the Masters programme Sustainable Urban Planning and Design. After completing the programme requirements students shall:

• Be acquainted with the theoretical foundations and present developments within urban and regional planning, architecture and urban design as well as environmental sciences.
• Have a sound knowledge on processes that determine urban change and regional development, the actors that are involved in these processes, and the aesthetical, social, economic, institutional and environmental determinants that contribute to sustainable development
• Have a deep understanding of the tools and methods that can be applied to analyse the current status of cities and regions, and the prerequisites for future change.
• Comprehend the relation between theory and practice in planning and urban design, and the connections to other disciplines involved in urban and regional development on the local, regional and global level.

• Be able to assess and handle complexities of urban development in a local and regional perspec­tive and relate them to their social, economic, environmental and political context.

• Be able to carry out advanced studies on contemporary problems, opportunities and future wants and needs, and by that contribute to the development of the field of knowledge. Be able to apply the a forementioned knowledge and skills in design, analysis and synthesis in urban development planning practice.
• Be able to make effective oral and written presentations of complex tasks in urban design, planning and environmental issues.
• Be able to convey own results and others viewpoints in a coherent and qualitative way through drawings, sketches, essays and oral presentations.
• Be able to use modern communication techniques and tools to illustrate and visualise plans, concepts and strategies.

• Be able to organise and lead multi-disciplinary groups with experts and contribute to the outcome of the working task.

• Analyse the merits of theoretical concepts, policies, plans and projects.Be able to detect implicit normative assumptions that determine different perspectives on planning problemsBe able to contextualise plans, concepts and policies in different temporal, cultural and institutional backgrounds.
• Be able to reflect critically on the nature and manner of dealing with impending planning problems.
• Be able to track developments within the discipline and analyse how these will affect planning practice.
• Be able to define needs for learning opportunities in order to improve professional capacity.