Program Overview

Master of Science in Urban Design and Transport

The Master of Science in Urban Design and Transport (MScUDT) is a unique inter-disciplinary Programme that links urban design and transport studies, marrying design thinking with evidence-based transport analysis techniques to develop a more effective and balanced placemaking approach to cities.

Introduction

Traditional urban design focuses on the built environment and placemaking, largely overlooking the social, economic, and environmental dynamics of urban mobilities and access. In contrast, transport studies focus on operations and management of transport systems, tending to ignore the impact of infrastructures on the urban experience, the urban qualities, mobilities equality and its effects on access to opportunities and the enjoyment of places.

The MScUDT Programme focuses on current and emerging challenges at this critical but overlooked confluence of urban design and transport studies. It aims to enable smart, healthy, equitable and resilient cities of the future, by preparing future urban professionals to tackle the design, planning, and management of people-focused and sustainable cities, whether in Hong Kong, Asia-Pacific or internationally.

Curriculum

The MScUDT curriculum draws on the latest thinking and technologies in urban design, placemaking, transport, urban planning, and major blue, grey, and green infrastructure project development. It will draw on the emergence of new data sources and analytical methods, to offer exposure to new approaches to urban design, placemaking and transport planning. In addition, the studio setting enables students to develop systemic and holistic design solutions-led perspective in their approach to future urban challenges.

Themes

Themes that will be explored in the Programme include:

• Present and future multi-modal complexities of placemaking and urban design’s interface with transport and infrastructure planning and design
• Urban design and placemaking theory and practice in an age of climate crisis
• The reintegration of slow modes
• The emergence of micro-mobilities, surface and air autonomous vehicles

Professional Recognitions – Accreditations

The programme is provisionally accredited by:

• The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong (CILTHK), which is the professional body for those engaged in various sectors of transport and logistics, including air, sea and land, for both passengers and freight transportation.

Scholarships

From 2025, the Department of Urban Planning and Design, the University of Hong Kong offers the Merit-based Scholarship for taught postgraduate students in self-funded taught postgraduate programmes offered by the Department. This scholarship aims to recognize deserving students with outstanding academic performance in the programme, with a maximum of total value equivalent to two full Scholarships, encompassing both “International Scholarship for Taught Postgraduate Studies in the Department of Urban Planning Design” and “Merit-based Scholarship for Taught Postgraduate Studies in the Department of Urban Planning and Design” (subject to approval by the University). These scholarships may include multiple scholarships for full or partial funding of the composition fee of the respective taught postgraduate programme. The value of each scholarship shall be determined by the Selection Committee.