Urban Design Courses

ENVDES 201 FUNDAMENTALS OF URBAN DESIGN Studio (SSb, 5 units)
The advanced design studio involves collaborative work on problems that are large in scope, yet require attention to spatial organization and design details. This core urban design studio differs from traditional studios in several ways. First, the level of work expected of students with advanced standing allows the exploration in depth of complex urban design problems that normally exceed the capacities of first professional degree students. Second, the studio design work is broader in scope and more integrated in approach than is normally possible; the range of professional backgrounds that the student and faculty participants bring to the discussions and design explorations enables all students to recognize and work with the interrelated problems of urban design and to learn how to work together effectively in interdisciplinary teams. Third, the work examines both public and private development opportunities in existing built environments in urban, suburban, and territorial scales. We expect to foresee urban issues and design problems that will soon be coming into public focus and to conduct and present exploratory studies that will help shape those issues for further professional study and public involvement.

ENVDES 202 ADVANCED URBAN DESIGN STUDIO (F, 5 units)
Every year visiting faculty teach studios addressing urgent contemporary issues facing urban, suburban, rural, and territorial areas. See student work section for descriptions and work from recent studios.

ENVDES 251 DISCOURSES AND METHODS IN CONTEMPORARY URBAN DESIGN (SSc, 3 units)
This seminar introduces students to the M.U.D. program and faculty resources. Lectures present current Issues in urban design practice followed by a seminar discussing contemporary design approaches.

ENVDES 252 THESIS RESEARCH AND PREPARATION (F, 3 units)
This seminar focuses on developing individual urban design interests as the basis for next semester’s advanced design project or thesis. Students develop their individual project topics in consultation with the instructor with feedback from faculty and visitors . Coursework consists of lectures, discussions, and student presentations. Students are expected to have a highly developed design project by the end of the course.

ENVDES 253 THESIS STUDIO (Spring, 4-6 units)
The thesis studio gives students a supportive environment and design direction to complete their individual design projects. The instructor provides guidance with participation by faculty, practitioners and others. Work leads to completion of the advanced design project or thesis by the end of the Spring semester, when students present their work to faculty, students, and guests.

For more information, see the UC Berkeley Online Schedule of Classes. Select the desired semester from the left drop down menu and type the course name and number (i.e. ENVDES 253) into the search bar.