Cities by Design

Cities by Design is concerned with the in-depth and longitudinal examination of urban conditions in and among selected cities in the world. The broad aims are: to engage in a comparative study for the purpose of broadening definitions of what it is to be urban; to identify characteristics that render particular cities distinct; to understand the manner in which geography, locational circumstances, and related infrastructural improvements both constrain and promote opportunities for city development; and to gain insight into the role of human agencies, planning institutions, and design cultures in shaping cities and their role in broader regions. 

In Spring 2025, the cities under examination are Boston, Barcelona, Los Angeles, Copenhagen, Taipei, Berlin, Shanghai, and Mumbai. Each will be the subject of 2-3 lectures. In addition to city-specific lectures, broader comparative frameworks will be provided by two lectures on Metropolitan Spatial Dynamics, and Historic Conservation.

The class is organized around a twice-a-week cadence of lectures. Beyond participation and contribution to in-class discussions, the main deliverables of the course are two short papers. Cities by Design is required and limited to Master of Architecture and Landscape Architecture in Urban Design students.
 

This course is required for and limited to students in the GSD Master of Urban Design programs.