Urban Design OpenCourseWare: MIT's Graduate Level Free Online Course on the Study of Urban Design Finance and Planning

Published Jan 12, 2009

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Expand your understanding of urban planning and design by taking this free OpenCourseWare offered by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). 'Urban Design' explores in-depth ideas and strategies for solving existing urban planning and design conditions. This course is recommended for those who have graduate-level proficiency in city planning and architecture and InDesign software.

Urban Design: Course Specifics

Degree Level Free Audio Video Downloads
Graduate Yes No No Yes

Lectures/Notes Study Materials Tests/Quizzes
Yes Yes No

Urban Design: Course Description

What is the process of bringing together all aspects of urban layout and development into a cohesive and agreeable plan? In this free OpenCourseWare offered by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and developed by Professors Carol Burns and John de Monchaux, students looked at the areas within and surrounding MIT's campus as it existed in 2003 and came up with solutions to build upon and enhance these areas. In a studio setting and through detailed projects, students explored and analyzed all aspects of urban anatomy, including transportation, types of buildings and streets, parking and land use. The analysis consisted of plans, proposals and guidelines with maps, sketches, diagrams and photographs. In this free OpenCourseWare, students considered the quality of life of the community as a whole as it pertained to the livability of future developments. This course was offered through the Department of Urban Studies and Planning in a lecture (studio) format.

This 'Urban Design' OpenCourseWare includes assignment information, readings, maps and various stages of the 2003 Fall urban design studio and its final publication, all of which are available free. This free course can be taken online by visiting the urban studies course page.