Focuses on the synthesis of urban, mixed-use real estate projects, including the integration of physical design and programming with finance and marketing. Interdisciplinary student teams analyze how to maximize value across multiple dimensions in the process of preparing professional development proposals for sites in US cities and internationally. Reviews emerging real estate products and innovative developments to provide a foundation for studio work. Two major projects are interspersed with lectures and field trips. Integrates skills and knowledge in the MSRED program; also open to other students interested in real estate development by permission of the instructors.

Examines ways that urban design contributes to distribution of political power and resources in cities. Investigates the nature of relations between built form and political purposes through close study of public and private sector design commissions and planning processes that have been clearly motivated by political pressures, as well as more tacit examples. Lectures and discussions focus on cases from both developed and developing countries.

Examines the evolving structure of cities and the way that cities, suburbs, and metropolitan areas can be designed and developed. Surveys the ideas of a wide range of people who have addressed urban problems. Stresses the connection between values and design. Demonstrates how physical, social, political and economic forces interact to shape and reshape cities over time. Introduces links between urban design and urban science.

Students continue to work in their venture teams to advance innovative ideas, products, and services oriented to design, planning, and the human environment. Presented in a workshop format with supplementary lectures. Teams are matched with external mentors for additional support in business and product development. At the end of the term, teams pitch their ventures to an audience from across the school and MIT, investors, industry, and cities.

Research and project activities, which cover the range represented by the various research interests and projects in the department. Students who wish a letter grade option for their work must register for 4.URG.

Research and project activities, which cover the range represented by the various research interests and projects in the Department.

Program of thesis research leading to the writing of an SB thesis. Intended for seniors. Twelve units recommended.

Program of research and writing of thesis; to be arranged by the student with supervising committee. 

This is a class about reading and, to a lesser extent writing, popular criticism, looking at the profession and production of architecture and design criticism in the United States from its inception in the late 19th century to the present day. Class sessions are devoted to thematic groupings of reviews—on the tower, the museum, the mall, and so on—in order to compare critical language, approach, audience, and taste, while also tracking changes in writing and design style from 1900 to the present. Thus, we read classics of architectural theory, like Louis Sullivan’s “The Tall Building Artistically Considered,” as well as Ada Louise Huxtable on the Twin Towers, and Paul Goldberger on Hearst Tower. But we will also watch Louisa Whitmore, the TikTok teen who hates 432 Park Avenue with the passion that translates so well to video. 
 
The goal of this seminar is to introduce you to the wide variety of critical voices and forms and, by the end, let you play critic yourself. During the semester, we will do close readings of specific texts together, and we will practice one-the-spot critique of some recent local projects. Two field trips led by architects will offer students the opportunity to ask questions in the field, and to think about the difference between what architects say and what the user can observe. Independently, students will research and present on an individual critic, giving the opportunity to read deeply while the in-class sessions are a necessary skim. One late session, on video games, will be programmed collaboratively, as many of you know more than I about what constitutes effective critique of games. The final project for the course will be to write, or film, or record, or otherwise produce a piece of criticism on the design of your choice.

4.s68 Syllabus (MIT Certificate protected)