Program Overview

Cities Methodologies (URBL0004)

Key Information

• Faculty: UCL Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment
• Teaching department: UCL Urban Laboratory
• Credit value: 15
• Restrictions: n/a

Alternative Credit Options

There are no alternative credit options available for this module.

Description

Content: This module focuses on the practical aspects of methodology and research design, including framing a research question, choosing and specifying methods, ethical procedures and requirements, project management, the realization and dissemination of research outputs, and anticipation of audiences and impacts. Students will be supported to design and pilot a piece of urban research that is experimental, collaborative, considers local and global scales, and bridges between traditionally separate domains of knowledge and expertise. In line with the UCL East ethos, the focus will be on hands-on, engaged urban research that takes risks and, in collaboration with communities, seeks to intervene towards fairer cities and outcomes. Students submit a portfolio for critical appraisal including their proposal, research design, indicative sources, and pilot research completed during the course.

Teaching Delivery: This module is taught in 10 weekly lectures and workshops.

Indicative Topics:

• Ways of knowing
• Site visits Walworth (mapping and engaging)
• Mapping workshop
• Ethnographies
• Writing as creative practice
• Experiential practice
• Studio tutorials

Module Aims and/or Objectives:

• To provide an understanding of transdisciplinary urbanism and urban research and promote their advancement.
• To introduce key traditions, concepts, and techniques relevant to transdisciplinary urbanism and urban research.
• To equip students to design, undertake, and disseminate critical, transdisciplinary urban research and research-driven practices of urbanism.
• To draw attention to ethical issues and the politics of urban knowledge production and provide tools to navigate these.

Module Deliveries for 2026/27 Academic Year

• Intended teaching term: Term 2
• Postgraduate (FHEQ Level 7)

Teaching and Assessment

• Mode of study: In person
• Intended teaching location: UCL East
• Methods of assessment: 100% Dissertations, extended projects, and reports
• Mark scheme: Numeric Marks

Other Information

• Number of students on module in previous year: 20
• Module leader: Dr Nishat Awan

Last Updated

This module description was last updated on 10th March 2026.