4.250
11.001

Introduction to Urban Design and Development

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.

Andres Svetsuk
Spring
2024
3-0-9
U
Schedule
MW 11-12:30
Location
4-370
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.246
11.246

DesignX Accelerator

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. Registration limited to students accepted to the MITdesignX accelerator in the fall.

Spring
2024
2-4-6
G
Schedule
F 9-1
Location
9-451
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor
Enrollment
Limited to 30
Preference Given To
Students in DesignX program
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.244
11.333

Urban Design Seminar: Perspectives on Contemporary Practice

Examines innovations in urban design practice occurring through the work of leading practitioners in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning. Features lectures by major national and global practitioners in urban design. Projects and topics vary based on term and speakers but may cover architectural urbanism, landscape and ecology, arts and culture, urban design regulation and planning agencies, and citywide and regional design. Focuses on analysis and synthesis of themes discussed in presentations and discussions.

David Gamble
Spring
2024
2-0-7
G
Schedule
W 9-11
Location
10-401
Restricted Elective
PhD Adv Urb
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.241
11.330

The Making of Cities

Examines the complex development of cities through history by tracing a diachronic accumulation of forms and spaces in specific cities, and showing how significant ideas were made manifest across distinct geographies and cultures. Emphasizes how economic, spiritual, political, geographic and technological forces have simultaneously shaped and, in turn, been influenced by the city. 

Spring
2024
3-3-6
G
3-0-9
G
Schedule
W 5-8
Location
5-233
Prerequisites
4.252J or 11.001J or permission of instructor
Required Of
MArch, SMArchS Urbanism
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.229
11.228

COLLECTIVES: New Forms of Sharing

Cancelled

Class canceled for Spring 2024

Spring
2024
3-0-9
G
Schedule
W 2-5
Location
1-136
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor
Enrollment
Limited to 15
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.227

Landscapes of Energy

Spatializes large technological systems of energy, analyzes existing and speculative energy visions, and imagines energy futures in relation to concerns of ecology, politics, and aesthetics. Identifies different scales of thinking about the territory of energy from that of environmental systems, to cities, regions, and global landscapes. Readings and students' research projects draw on critical geography, history of technology, environmental history to synthesize energy attributes within the design disciplines.

Spring
2024
3-0-9
G
Schedule
M 1-4
Location
5-231
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor
Enrollment
Limited to 10
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.215
11.309

Sensing Place: Photography as Inquiry

Explores photography as a disciplined way of seeing, and as a medium of inquiry and of expressing ideas. Readings, observations, and photographs form the basis of discussions on landscape, light, significant detail, place, poetics, narrative, and how photography can inform research, design and planning, among other issues. Recommended for students who want to employ visual methods in their theses. 

Spring
2024
3-0-9
G
Schedule
W 2-5
Location
10-401
Enrollment
Limited
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.213
11.308

Ecological Urbanism Seminar

Weds the theory and practice of city design and planning as a means of adaptation with the insights of ecology and other environmental disciplines. Presents ecological urbanism as critical to the future of the city and its design, as it provides a framework for addressing challenges that threaten humanity — such as climate change, rising sea level, and environmental and social justice — while fulfilling human needs for health, safety, welfare, meaning, and delight. Applies a historical and theoretical perspective to the solution of real-world challenges.  

Spring
2024
3-0-9
G
Schedule
M 2-5
Location
9-451
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor
Enrollment
Limited
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.189

Preparation for MArch Thesis

Preparatory research development leading to a well-conceived proposition for the MArch design thesis. Students formulate a cohesive thesis argument and critical project using supportive research and case studies through a variety of representational media, critical traditions, and architectural/artistic conventions. Group study in seminar and studio format, with periodic reviews supplemented by conference with faculty and a designated committee member for each individual thesis.

4.189 Syllabus (MIT Certificate protected)

Spring
2024
3-1-5
G
Schedule
W 2-5
Location
7-429
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
MArch
Open Only To
MArch
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.185 (formerly 4.181)

Architectural Design Workshop — ODDS & MODS Castaways Workshop

Note 12/8/23: The subject number for this class has changed from 4.181 to 4.185

The ODDS & MODS Castaways Workshop in Spring 2024 will address research, and fabrication of prototypes for scalable material circularity in architecture, focusing on the use of up-cycled and re-used clay and earth brick. Graduate students in the MArch program may elect to take this workshop together with the ODDS & MODS Option Studio or independently.

Spring
2024
3-0-6
G
Schedule
R 9-12
Location
5-216
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor
Enrollment
Limited to 12
Preference Given To
MArch, SMArchS
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes