DESIGN FOR DEVELOPMENT. ARCHITECTURE, URBAN PLANNING AND HERITAGE IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH - ed.4

Program Overview

The Politecnico di Milano's master's program in "Design for Development: Architecture, Urban Planning and Heritage in the Global South" equips professionals with skills and expertise to tackle the complex challenges of urban development in emerging economies. Through a learning-by-doing approach, students gain hands-on experience in design projects and internships, preparing them for careers in development-related spatial issues. The program emphasizes sustainable urban development, heritage conservation, and the role of design disciplines in shaping urban processes in the Global South.

Program Outline

Design for Development: Architecture, Urban Planning and Heritage in the Global South - Master's Program Details

Degree Overview:

The Master's program in "Design for Development: Architecture, Urban Planning and Heritage in the Global South" is offered by the Politecnico di Milano's Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU). It focuses on inclusive and sustainable urban development in the Global South, addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by globalization and urbanization in emerging economies.

Objectives:

The program aims to train professionals with an international outlook, equipped to tackle the complex challenges of contemporary urban development in the Global South. It seeks to develop skills and expertise in:

• Navigating the challenging contexts of the Global South.
• Bringing skills and expertise focused on the governability and quality of urban and regional development.
• Blending research, design, and innovation in their approach.
• Developing effective strategies for defending and developing regions in environmental and social terms.

Outline:

The program is structured into six modules, totaling 1,500 hours of lectures, exercises, visits, workshops, individual study, and a 300-hour internship:

Module A: Theory (6 ECTS)

• Focuses on theoretical frameworks and concepts related to urban development in the Global South.

Module B: Tools (6 ECTS)

• Introduces students to various tools and methodologies used in urban design, planning, and heritage conservation.

Module C: Design Studios (12 ECTS)

• Provides hands-on experience in design projects at various scales, integrating architecture, planning, and heritage protection.

Module D: On the Ground Design Workshop (16 ECTS)

• A five-week intensive workshop conducted in a location within the Global South, offering practical experience and real-world application of design principles.

Module E: Internship/Project Work (14 ECTS)

• Students undertake a 300-hour internship at an organization operating in the Global South, gaining practical experience and potentially leading to employment opportunities.

Module F: Final Thesis (6 ECTS)

Teaching:

• The program emphasizes a learning-by-doing approach, integrating theory and practical application.
• It adopts a global perspective on understanding and interpreting urban phenomena.
• The teaching team comprises DAStU faculty and researchers specializing in the program's themes, along with guest lecturers from other universities and experts from research centers, multilateral organizations, and NGOs operating in the Global South.

Careers:

• The program aims to prepare graduates for careers as professionals/consultants in the area of development-related spatial issues.
• Potential employment opportunities exist at the supranational, national, or local levels, in the public, private, or third sectors.

Other:

• The program is promoted by DAStU, recognized as a leading research center in architecture and urban planning.
• The program is designed to address the growing demand for design experts capable of working in the challenging contexts of the Global South.
• The program emphasizes the role of design disciplines in shaping sustainable urban development processes.