The world is entering a pivotal moment. With the pandemic, our struggle to deal with rising temperatures and dwindling natural resources has only become more intense.
Architecture and urban planning will be crucial to addressing these big questions. They will be necessary to ensure that our cities do not reduce the opportunities of future generations to enjoy similar levels of wealth, utility or prosperity.
Speaking to Architectural Digest, the Design Director for global design and architecture firm HOK Brian Jencek described his vision for cities over the next two decades:
“We seek to combine people-centered design with cutting-edge technology to improve sustainability with a greener, more connected public space and new levels of sustainability,” he said.
Urban areas are planned to be housed nearly two-thirds of humanity in a decade, according to United Nations figures.
Future-focused architecture schools respond to the needs of people and the environment. Changes are being made to the curriculum. More sustainable design and development modules will go a long way in teaching the next generation how to plan, design and build responsibly.
Here are five architecture schools that are going green and leading the way to better cities in the future.
COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT, THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY – USA
The College of Architecture and the Built Environment at Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) has a mission to create a socially just and sustainable future.
Source: Thomas Jefferson University
Its portfolio of offerings includes well-designed and specialized programs with extensive input from today's leading sustainability experts and professionals.
NAAB is accredited Master of Architecture prioritizes social justice, sustainable design, design excellence, technology and computing expertise, project management skills, and collaborative experiences. Located near Center City Philadelphia, expect to be inspired by this urban living workshop rich with a collection of significant historic and contemporary buildings.
In the award-winning, interdisciplinary Master of Sustainable Designlearn how to use problem-solving skills to develop market-driven solutions and leadership qualities to solve the climate crisis.
This year, the TJU College of Architecture and Built Environment will launch a new Master of Urban Design with a focus on future cities.
Unlike programs elsewhere, this master's degree addresses contemporary issues such as the need for carbon-neutral communities, smart technologies and environmental wellness at multiple scales in response to rapid urbanization and climate change.
To learn more about this new program or the other graduate offerings, Click here to start planning a better tomorrow with TJU.
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY – USA
Northeastern University's School of Architecture provides students with a focused and intensive education in the disciplines of architecture and landscape architecture.
Source: Northeastern University
Theirs Master of Architecture (M.Arch) degree is accredited by the National Architectural Accreditation Council and capitalizes on the school's excellent faculty and location in downtown Boston.
In fact, many Northeastern Master's students use their metropolitan setting as inspiration for their design and development projects.
While Northeast master's degree in urban planning Students use their location in Boston, Massachusetts for everyday insights into how urban sustainability plays a key role in a city landscape.
Opportunities to engage with pressing issues such as urban density, social and economic diversity, and cultural preservation abound at this architecture school. Click here to learn more.
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, STRATHCLYDE UNIVERSITY – UK
Strathclyde's School of Architecture helps students address the world's most pressing challenges through a range of postgraduate programmes.
One of them is the MSc Urban Planning degree that teaches students how to make future urban landscapes safe and sustainable.
Source: University of Strathclyde
Another is the MSc/PgDip Sustainable Engineering: Architecture and Ecologywhich combines theoretical and practical approaches to architecture, ecology and sustainability through a combination of educational modules and practical work placement and projects.
Theoretical study will be made up of training modules taken at Strathclyde in Glasgow during the first three months of study. Then get ready to experience the hot Arizona desert climate during a three-month stint in the experimental micro-city Arcosandi.
Graduates of this interdisciplinary program – offered full-time and part-time – will be eligible to gain Chartered Engineer status.
DILADI SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN DILADI UNIVERSITY – SPAIN
The IE School of Architecture and Design in Segovia expands the boundaries of architecture and design.
With almost a hundred nationalities studying on campus, this academic and creative hub has borderless learning spaces and a commitment to prepare graduates to change the world through entrepreneurial thinking.
If you select the Master in Strategic Spatial Planningyou will learn how to implement innovative design changes that impact and align with an organization's goals.
And if you choose it Global Master in Real Estate Developmentyou will learn about financial concepts such as investment and property management, with an emphasis on sustainability.
Source: IE School of Architecture
Student projects are not exclusive to any program at the IE School of Architecture and Design. Everyone has the opportunity to participate in meaningful career-enhancing projects, regardless of their degree level.
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE GEORGIA TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (GEORGIA TECH) – USA
Georgia Tech has been a leader in urban planning education since 1969.
Knowing this, many international students choose to study it Master of Science in Urban Design (MSUD) program there.
This program offers an interdisciplinary experience, with required courses in urban planning, architecture, and urban planning, and additional opportunities in civil and environmental engineering, real estate development, heritage conservation, and more.
While the designation STEM Master of Science in Architecture (MSA) The program advances your knowledge and skills related to modern technologies that are rapidly expanding the frontiers of architectural design, theory and practice.
For example, if you choose to study High performance buildingsyou will work with experts in building technology who will help you judge the impact of architectural design and strengthen your practical skills.
Graduates of this MSA track will also be able to co-engineer and integrate new building technologies into buildings.
Want to learn more about these programs? Click here.
*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International
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