Urban Design METU Middle East Technical University

Overview

Key Features

Following the first two semesters in which the design studio and supplementary courses are offered, the students are expected to work on their master’s thesis under the supervision of research advisor.

The primary aim of the Urban Design program at METU Middle East Technical University is to graduate prospective professionals with fundamental academic perspective and practical skills to comprehend, envision and program the space and form of the contemporary city for livable, efficient, responsive and just urban environments.

While the studio provides an an opportunity to students for developing the fundamental skills of design synthesis and communication, the dissertation period aims to enhance the basic knowledge and ability to conduct an individual research from a specific theoretical perspective on urban design.

During the studio course, the students are trained to to tackle the intrinsic complexity of urban conditions based on a careful understanding of a wide range of issues including sociology, morphology, environmental psychology, ecology and economics through various levels of scale. In this context, they learn how to integrate social, cultural and political perspectives in design while making use of legal and administrative tools in real world situations. While the creative drive of imagination is encouraged to envision the new possibilities of future life patterns in cities, strategic perspective to design is aimed to develop in urban context.

The studio is conducted with a relatively small group of students having different disciplinary backgrounds. Through a combination of seminars, workshops, lectures and field trips and exhibitions, The MUD Studio offers a collaborative, intimate, engaged and creative learning environment and educational atmosphere for the students in an international context.