International Master Degree program in Urban Design (in English)

Top↑Program Description

Duration of study:
2 years

Objective of the Program:
The program aims to educate experts in architecture or urban planning and design.

Study Requirements:

Course study requirements:  
Total credits are not fewer than 34, in which 18 credits are from core courses (including Chinese), more than 11 credits are from selective courses. Not less than 5 credits are from other compulsory activities and not less than 12 credits from design practice.

Thesis Requirement:
Thesis is the main qualification of graduation, and also graduation design does in some special cases. Thesis defense will be processed according to the regulations of Tongji University.

Compulsory Courses:
History of Urban Development in East Asia; Comments on Theories and Works of Modern Architects; Theory on Urban Design; Modern Residence Typology; Topic Selection and Writing of Theses; Architecture Design; Principle of Architectural Design; Compare between Chinese and German Architecture; Sustainable Design Theories; Inspect on Chinese Modern Architecture

Degree to be awarded:
The student who has fulfilled all the courses and thesis requirements will be awarded the Master Degree of Architecture of Tongji University.

CAUP Curriculum Example for International Program, Fall Semester

	Monday	Tuesday		Wednesday		Thursday	Friday
8:00-9:40	Brand Strategic Design/ Experience Design (C-706)			Urban Design Studio I	Urban Planning Studio	Landscape Conservation and Sustainability (C-706)	Urban Design Studio I	Urban Planning Studio
10:00-11:40	Theories of Landscape Studies (A-215)	Principles of Architectural Design (C-706)
13:30-15:10		Urban Design Studio II	History of East Asia Cites (B-108)			Urban Mobility and Transport at Stake for the Urbanization in China (C706)
15:20-17:00	Urban Design: Emergence, Evolution and New Topics (C-706)
18:30-20:10		Comparative Studies on Chinese and German Architecture (C-706)		Contemporary Architecture and Urbanism in China: Discourse and Practice (B-108)

Note:
1. Urban Design Studio I is a joint studio with Yale University and Tokoyo Tech. The first meetng is 8:30, 30 Sep., C706
2. Urban Planning Studio is a joint studio with Georgia Tech. The first meeting will be announced at the billboard of international office (starts in Dec)
3. Urban Design Studio II is a joint studio with Princeton University. The first meeting is 13:30, 21.Sep., C508

Course Description:

1. DESIS (Design for Social Innovation &Sustainability) Workshops (Credits: 2; Code: 2010271)
The complexity of the contemporary society it is possible to recognize promising cases of socio-technical innovation that are at the same time, solutions to some current problems and meaningful steps towards a sustainable society. These cases can be found in a variety of fields: from the ecological re-orientation of production systems to the construction of an active welfare, from the empowerment of diffuse micro-enterprises, to local community sustainable development programs. Many of these promising cases have a common denominator: they have been conceived and implemented (mainly) by the involved actors, moving from their direct knowledge of the problems, and from their own personal capabilities. That is, they are the results of successful social innovation processes. Social innovation mobilizes diffuse social resources (in terms of creativity, skills, knowledge and entrepreneurship). For this reason, it is a major driver of change. And it could be a powerful promoter of sustainable ways of living and producing. Given its spontaneous nature, social innovation cannot be planned. Nevertheless, the "invention" of new ways of living and producing become more probable where creativity and design thinking are diffused and where local institutions have a collaborative and tolerant attitude (that is, where there is a favorable environment).

Note: Participants to the workshop need to register in advance, please contact Prof. Lou Yongqi (lou.yongqi@gmail.com) for more details.

2. Comparative Studies on Chinese and German Architecture (Credits: 2; Code: 2010168)
There is a distinct difference between Contemporary Chinese architecture and German rchitecture base on the dynamics of development and the representation of form; Through the comparison of the Sino-German architecture, can we better understand the situation of China's contemporary building development. Moreover, comprehend German architecture accordingly. This course will be taught in the form of discussion and data analyzing, encourage master students to participate. Course will begin with lectures by 3 professors, each providing information on the development of German and Chinese architecture and urban design; inviting 5 guest lecturers from German architecture firm based in China; listening to the experience from Chinese students who studied in German; last but not least, through class discussions and presentations, students will see the similarities and differences between Germany and China from various angles and come to a verdict accordingly. This course not only allows students to grasp for 8 knowledge, but also trains students to utilize their analytical skills. Grades will be determined by the final presentation (English) from each student.

3. Urban mobility and transport at stake for the urbanization in China (Credits: 2; Code: 2010100)
With a focus on the metropolitan area of Shanghai, this course provides a historical and theoretical overview on the transformations and consequences of urban mobility in Chinese urban areas. It will be developed in three parts. Initially we will survey the recent history and current state of the urban transportation system in China to identify its problems and benefits. Next, we will analyze the interrelationships between the transportation system and urban spatial development patterns under Chinese political/institutional context. Finally, we will explore the relative policies, from general political orientations to detailed proposed solutions, including taxation policies, consumer regulation, traffic management and public investment strategies. Although the course is not primarily practice-oriented, it will address the common planning tools in land use and transportation planning.

4. Art Pottery (Credits: 3; Code: 2010285)
Focus on Form Creating, the course is about Modern Art Form and Theory and the method of Imaginal Thinking by the media of Clay. It will help students increase understanding of Artistic Conception and basic feature of Modern Art, most of all, improving Aesthetic ability, Artistic Imagination ability, Form Creating skill and Material Manipulating. Its aim is to promote artistic culture, aesthetic ability, foster innovation concept and optimize knowledge structure for master graduate students of architecture, urban planning and art design.

5. CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM IN CHINA: DISCOURSE AND PRACTICES (Credits: 2; Code: 2010193)
This course tends to provide various visions for thinking and rethinking contemporary architecture and urbanism in China. Materials discussed in this course include not only architecture and urban case studies, but also cinema, art and literature works that provide a wider social and cultural context for the issues of contemporary architecture and urbanism. Perspectives from comparative literature studies, critical theory and cultural studies will provide us with deeper insights into the reality of contemporary society; therefore help us to establish filters for thinking contemporary architecture and urbanism in China.

6. Challenge and Strategy - Chinese Urbanism and Urban Design Practice (Principle of Architectural Design) (Credits: 2; Code: 2010033)
The course tends to introduce what has been happening to the Chinese cities and what has been explored and practiced by Chinese urban designers in the background of rapid urbanization triggered since the early 1980s. A series lectures will be delivered to discuss the challenges and strategies of Chinese urban design in the recent decade from such angles as problems, mechanism and practice, and emphasis in laid on the establishment of urban planning and design dministrative system, historical preservation, and urban space integration, etc.

7. Heritage Conservation and Development (Credits: 2; Code: 2010239)

What's the nature of landscape? How are landscapes shaped by culture and human beings? Where to locate landscape conservation in the heritage conservation movement? Why World Heritage Cultural Landscapes is a flagship programme of UNESCO? What are the difficulties of cultural landscape conservation? Has our contemporary economic system and technological lifestyle alienated us from the local places where we live and threatens cultural landscapes' sustainability? Does resolving our landscape problems also require addressing political and social inequities?

To explore these questions, the first one third of our course will cover theories of cultural landscapes and examine the most influential movements in recent thought of cultural landscape: World Heritage Cultural Landscapes. In the middle, we will apply cultural landscape methods to explore the nature of Chinese landscapes, which will include tangible and intangible interactions between Chinese people and nature. The highest achievement of Chinese landscape culture-philosophy, literature, painting and garden will be explored. Finally, we will focus on key themes of current debate in the field, including environmental justice, the proper role of the local in creating landscapes, our relationship with land, radical environmental activism, and the relation between philosophy and activism.

8. Theories of Landscape Studies (Credits: 2; Code: 2010272)
This course entirely and systematically introduces the basic and core theories of Landscape Studies and also the overview of its main research area. This course tends to guide graduates to carry out theoretical study and to improve their theoretical quality. Paying great attention on theory introduction, while emphasizing the origin and development context of theory help graduates to enhance their theories research capacity. According the study of this course, graduates must master the development overview of the theories of Landscape Studies, have good basis to study the follow courses and improve their thought capacity.

9. Joint Urban Design (Code: 2; 2010272)
Aim of the course is to promote the participant's abilities of observing urban situation, understanding relevant references, understanding urban transitional rules, understanding relationship between urban development and architecture, understanding relationship between architectural designand history of architecture and urban. The course will establish dialogues concerning urban topic between schools and participants. Participants' skills such as site planning, arrangement of group-building, general design of infrastructure and building, controlling of group-building volumes are supposed to be trained. The course is a design studio. Its topic will focus on development or renewal of large urban sits.

Top↑Entry Requirements

Language Requirement:
80 or above for TOEFL; 6.0 or above for IELTS; or other certificates which can prove that English is his/her native language or the working language at college.

Academic Requirement:
Bachelor's degree educational background or equivalent and major in architecture and urban planning. 

Top↑Application Materials

1. Photocopy of valid passport
   With name, passport number & expiration date, and photo included
2. Passport photo
   A recent passport-sized photo of the applicant
3. Undergraduate school transcript
4. Bachelor's degree diploma
   Graduation certificate in languages other than Chinese or English should be translated into Chinese or English and be certified by notarization.
5. English proficiency test certificate
   80 or above for TOEFL; 6.0 or above for IELTS; or other certificates which can prove that English is his/her native language or the working language at college.
6. Two letters of recommendation
   From professor or associate professor or equivalents
7. Study plan
   A letter of motivation(reasons for applying to this program, not less than 800)

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