The (New) Image of the City

In this course, we will visualize cities as the outcomes of urban design. Through a reflexive method of visual and narrative investigation, each student will uncover and demonstrate a variety of experiential and structural characteristics of their chosen city. Acknowledging contemporary urban design as a decentralized practice, we will develop perspectives that cut across the various disciplines involved in shaping cities, while addressing the many tangible and intangible dimensions that define any given urban condition.

The course interrogates how society perceives cities, their landscapes, and architecture, and the designer’s role in mobilizing imagery to digest existing conditions and project new urban possibilities. Part historical dive, part technical workshop, the class moves between investigations into the historical development of cities through image, and instruction on fundamental two- and three-dimensional representational techniques involved in visualizing the vast array of inevitably convoluted and undetermined aspects of urbanity. The class will review how the city’s evolution has been represented over time in urban design, landscape architecture, architecture, art, politics, and culture, while developing new techniques for representing latent urban conditions and uncertain futures.

Structured around participatory lectures, discussions, and creative exercises, the course necessitates students’ abilities to consume, interpret, and produce. Most coursework focuses on developing a series of visualizations of a chosen urban condition across four scales and correlated perspectives. These exercises break down the process of image conception and execution over several weeks. Each scale builds on the previous and forms a composite image of a particular city when assembled. The final assignment will be curating the work produced to form a visual atlas through a whole-class exhibition.

Designers with a robust representational repertoire will be best suited to communicate their ideas and impact change in the coming generation. Students should take this course to learn how to maximize the impact of the images they create. They will learn to integrate image-crafting into the design process. They will also gain the foundation for harnessing the power of imagery to supplement their intellectual and design ambitions. Students will create impactful visual content structured by meaning, beauty, and emotion. They will develop an eye for strong images and understand how individual details–such as composition, tone, texture, and light–strengthen the larger picture. A student who fully engages with the course will emerge with the conceptual and technical capacity to create compelling images that challenge conventions of representation while also speaking to a broad audience. By representing cities at various scales, students will gain the ability to read diverse urban conditions and engage directly with contemporary pluralistic urbanism.

The course is for designers of all types. While we will use the term “urban” to connote the ecological complexity of our contextual focus, designers from various disciplines are encouraged to bring their expertise to the group. Rendering techniques, both in-engine and post-production, will be covered extensively, though expertise in either is not a prerequisite. However, a strong foundation in 3D modeling with Rhino will be helpful, as will a curiosity and determination to acquire new skills and perspectives.

Note regarding the Fall 2025 GSD academic calendar: The first day of classes, Tuesday, September 2nd, is held as a MONDAY schedule at the GSD. Courses that meet only on Tuesdays will meet for the first time on September 9th. Courses meet regularly otherwise. Please refer to the GSD academic calendar for additional details.