Urban Development and Design is the study of the complex problems affecting our urban environments. In addition to physical design, this discipline addresses the legal, political, economic, socio-cultural, and environmental aspects of urban planning and design.

It encompasses the physical attributes of the man-made environment, the forces that shape it, today and across history, and the conceptualisation and management of interventions to improve the quality of life in cities and urbanising regions. There is a special emphasis placed on the crucial relationship of spatial analysis & design and public policy. This includes the management of the interplay between private and public actions that govern land development, help shape spatial patterns and stress environmental quality.

The UNSW Urban Development and Design program is an interdisciplinary program focusing on the design of urban environments with an understanding of the processes that drive urban development. It consists of two parallel yet unified intellectual streams-development and design. The objective is not to turn designers into developers, or vice versa, but to equip each with an understanding of the nature and interrelationship of both, and their connection to broader social, economic and environmental concerns.

Studying Urban Development and Design at UNSW

The University offers Urban Development and Design at postgraduate level, through a Masters (Coursework) degree program. Please refer to the table below for a list of programs available at UNSW.