DISC: Design + Innovation for Sustainable Cities
Program Dates 2025: July 7–August 8, 2025
Applications for 2024 are closed. Applications for 2025 will open in mid-December 2024.
What does the city of the future look like? In our multidisciplinary DISC: Design + Innovation for Sustainable Cities program, you’ll be part of an international cohort of students exploring innovative design-based solutions to urgent issues facing our cities, including climate change, urban health, and social justice.
Through rigorous design studios, digital workshops, and seminars taught by experienced faculty and practitioners, you’ll gain the knowledge and tools to imagine the sustainable and equitable cities of tomorrow.
Program Elements
An intensive, challenging program built on four main platforms empowers you with the skills and expertise to shape our built environment.
- Seminars in Urban Innovation and Global Cities / Global Challenges provide you with a theoretical framework.
- Studio sessions and digital workshops hone your fundamental making skills and empower you to craft your own design solutions.
- Field work and site visits give you an opportunity to engage directly with the dynamic built and natural environments of the San Francisco Bay Area, using it as a living laboratory for study.
- Guest lectures expose you to some of the most renowned and forward-thinking researchers and practitioners in the Bay Area.
Elena Castellanos | DISC 2019
“Berkeley’s physical location and DISC’s mission challenged me to think creatively and intellectually about the design and maintenance of cities. DISC expanded my imagination of what public spaces can look like.”
Before the program
Elena was in her second year pursuing a public policy degree at Claremont McKenna when she applied for DISC to learn more about creating community-based sustainable solutions.
After the program
Elena worked in Seoul, Korea, at an urban design firm and then went on to Harvard GSD to pursue a master’s degree in urban planning.
Why DISC?
Benefits of attending DISC:
- Identify and explore the major debates around global urbanization and sustainability
- Develop a project from concept to final design
- Conceptualize and communicate your design ideas in 2D and 3D
- Collaborate on group projects with other college students passionate about design
- Connect with experienced faculty and renowned local practitioners
- Use the San Francisco Bay Area as a living laboratory for creative design
- Develop compelling materials for your design portfolio
- Earn college-level credit on an official UC Berkeley transcript
Manaka Hataoka | DISC 2019
“I thought of myself as a ‘planning’ person, rather than a ‘design’ person. During the DISC program, I surprisingly found myself being intrigued by the power of design, which eventually led me to shift my career to be more design-oriented.”
Before the program
Manaka studied urban planning as a junior at Tokyo University. She wanted to go to graduate school outside of Japan and decided to apply to DISC to explore this idea and the subject further.
After the program
Manaka finished her degree in Tokyo and then went to Harvard GSD to study landscape architecture.
Engage in excellence
After graduating from DISC, you’ll join a cohort of more than 300 program alums from 30+ countries. Many have been accepted to top graduate programs — Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Rice, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, University of Washington, Yale, UC Berkeley — poised to become thought leaders in the responsible reshaping of our built environment.
Mollye Liu | DISC 2017
“I ended up getting far more out of the program than I expected. DISC showed me that urban design is not only about drawing and creativity, but also getting closer to the public.”
Before the program
Having recently changed her major to landscape architecture, Mollye wanted to learn more about the whole-project design process.
After the program
Mollye worked for urban design and planning firms in China, then received her master’s degree in urban planning from Columbia University. During a project for the New York City mayor’s office, Mollye successfully used the methodology she learned at DISC to collect public opinions. She currently serves as a planning fellow for a community board in New York City.
Applications & Admissions
Program dates 2025: July 7–August 8, 2025
Applications for 2025 will open in mid-December 2024.
The DISC program is designed for students who are currently working on their bachelor’s degree in any field. No previous design experience is necessary. We welcome and encourage international students to apply.
Dates, Deadlines & Fees
Program Dates 2025: July 7–August 8, 2025.
Applications for DISC 2025 open in mid-December 2024.
For a link to the recording of a virtual information session for DISC 2024, please send us an email (summer discovery (at) berkeley.edu).
Sai Narayan | DISC 2016
“I would recommend to DISC students that the first skill to develop is listening. You may have the knowledge required to understand the needs and goals of the project, but your teammates bring something unique to the table.”
Before the program
Sai received his BArch from Syracuse University after which he worked as an architect in India for one year. He found DISC through his interest in urban design.
After the program
Sai’s experience at DISC solidified his interest in urban design and led him to pursue a graduate degree in the field at Carnegie Mellon.
FACULTY
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Read more about Applications & Admissions, Program Cost & Financial Support, Course Credit, How to Prepare, Housing & Transportation, Cancellation & Withdrawal, After the Program on the Summer Program FAQ page.
CONNECT WITH CED SUMMER PROGRAMS
- Sign up for our mailing list to receive reminders and updates
- Specific questions about DISC? Email us: summerdiscovery (at) berkeley.edu