Program Overview

AD2862 Sustainable Urban Planning and Design Studio 1.2- Situations 15.0 credits

The aim of this studio-based course is to give an introduction to design-led research in urban planning and design, and to establish a broad understanding of the complexities of macro and micro practices on economic, political, social, environmental, and physical urban development. The course will train participants in analysing, visualizing, and responding architecturally to urban and rural spaces as physical, cultural, political, and social entities.

Information per course offering

• Termin: Spring 2026
• Course location: KTH Campus
• Duration: 13 Jan 2026 - 1 Jun 2026
• Periods: Spring 2026: P4 (7.5 hp), P3 (7.5 hp)
• Pace of study: 50%
• Application code: 60015
• Form of study: Normal Daytime
• Language of instruction: English
• Number of places: 10 - 15
• Target group: THSSM1
• Part of programme: Master's Programme, Sustainable Urban Planning and Design, year 1

Course syllabus

The course syllabus is available in an accessible format on this page.

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

The studio is structured around a specific topic with reading seminars throughout the semester. The studio will guide participants as they enter into dialogue with local actors, stakeholders, and peers; engage in reflection and a contemporary and situated discourse; and sharpen their critical thinking.

Intended learning outcomes

The aim of this studio-based course is to give an introduction to design-led research in urban planning and design, and to establish a broad understanding of the complexities of macro and micro practices on economic, political, social, environmental, and physical urban development. Upon completion of the course, participants should be able to:

• formulate sustainable urban design problems in such a way that they relate to wider sustainability and societal challenges in a productive way and can be investigated and addressed through design proposals
• analyse a given spatial situation in relation to its cultural, socio-economic, political, and historic context taking into account issues of intersectionality (race, gender, class, power relations)
• visually and verbally demonstrate the connection and impact of different scales on urban design from micro to macro politics in respect to local, regional, national, and global levels
• develop a conceptual framework for design projects and to develop the project within this framework
• identify and critically revisit the impact of concepts, methods, and outcomes of urban designs on everyday life, and reflect on the professions ethics and responsibility
• represent and communicate project work so that it can be understood and evaluated by external critics and other audiences

Literature and preparations

Specific prerequisites

• Bachelor degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, or Physical Planning, but if free seats are available they can be offered to students with other background.
• In case the number of students exceeds the number of seats, a selection will be made based on following criteria:
  • Students who have a Bachelor degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, or Physical Planning and have been accepted to the program on grounds of the quality of the portfolio.
  • Attendance and performance in AD2867 Studio 1.1.

Literature

Information about course literature can be found in the course memo for the course offering or in the course room in Canvas.

Examination and completion

Grading scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

• PRO2 - Project, 7.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• SEM1 - Seminars, 3.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
• PRO3 - Project, 4.5 credits, grading scale: P, F

Other requirements for final grade

Students need to fulfil the following requirements in order to receive a pass (E):

• active participation in seminars (3 cr.)
• design project examination PRO2: individual and / or group design resolutions (4.5 cr.)
• design project examination PRO3: individual and / or group design resolutions (7.5 cr.)

Examiner

Maria Ärlemo

Ethical approach

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information

Offered by

ABE/Architecture, Landscapes and Cities

Main field of study

Architecture

Education cycle

Second cycle