School of Architecture and Planning

An introduction to methods of analyzing, evaluating and recording the urban environment based on field observation. The aim is to supplement existing courses that cover theory and history of city design and planning, and to better prepare students with no prior design background for the studio sequence, building skills fundamental to undertake a wide variety of urban design efforts.

The course is organized in a workshop/field survey format, supplemented by lectures and evening skill-developing sessions (recitations). Using the skills developed throughout the semester, students will work in groups to prepare comprehensive design proposals in Cambridge, that build on the relationship between urban design, stakeholder concerns, zoning regulations, environment and other forces that shape cities.