Oxford University has joined forces with The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment to create a new MSc in Sustainable Urban Development. The part-time post-graduate programme, aimed at those in the early and middle stages of careers in architecture, engineering, surveying, landscape design, and urban and environmental planning, will enrol its first students in September 2010.
In the light of UN projections that two-thirds of the world’s population will live in urban areas within 50 years, achieving a sustainable ecological and urban balance is a pressing challenge. The new Master’s programme will cover the causes and consequences of urban growth and decline and alternative future approaches with the aim of responding to and informing these developments.
The Prince’s Foundation will contribute its teaching skills in placemaking, urban design and design coding and civic engagement.
Professor Jonathan Michie, Director of Oxford University’s Department for Continuing Education, said: “Sustainability is becoming a goal of many city plans, and is increasingly informing the practice of architecture, urbanism, landscape design and environmental planning. Given the growing worldwide pressure for identifiable change in this crucial area, this is an appropriate time to launch an applied postgraduate course aimed at early and mid-career practitioners in these sectors.”
Dr Rebecca Lingwood, Director of Continuing Professional Development in the department, added: “The Department for Continuing Education and The Prince’s Foundation will take a lead in addressing the development of greater urban sustainability. By bringing together expertise from across the university – the Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, the newly launched programme for the Future of Cities (led by the Institute for Science, Innovation and Society at Saïd Business School), and others – the programme will address these issues in an intellectually rigorous and applied manner.”
Hank Dittmar of The Prince’s Foundation said: “We are delighted to be working with such an influential international partner as Oxford University. This course will give professionals in any of the key disciplines the multi-disciplinary skills they need to plan and develop sustainable cities, towns and districts.”
Ama Quarm, Ghana around 2 years, 7 months ago