DESIGN FOR DEVELOPMENT
ARCHITECTURE, URBAN PLANNING AND HERITAGE IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH
Programme
The Master’s programme has a duration of 1,500 hours in total, consisting of lectures, exercises, design studios, on the ground workshop, individual study, an internship of al least 350 hours or project work and a final thesis.
The Master is promoted by the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies of Politecnico di Milano with the participation of renowned experts from the world of International Cooperation, Profession and Research, and with the support of an extensive network of Partners including Multilateral organisations, Foundations and national and international NGOs.
444 hours
lessons + design studios
2 weeks
workshop
+ 350 hours
internship or project work
The programme is organised into six modules:
MODULE A
THEORY / 6 ECTS
Descriptions and interpretations of the new global urbanism and main challenges that it poses for the design disciplines to foster strategies of inclusive, sustainable development in the contexts of the Global South.
MODULE B
TOOLS / 6 ECTS
Detailed examinations of tools for regional analysis, for promoting and managing projects, and for building and strengthening the capacities of local actors and of the communities involved.
MODULE C
DESIGN STUDIOS / 12 ECTS
A detailed examination of design strategies at the various scales and the different spheres of action on which the Master’s programme focuses: urban growth and local resource management, housing and community services, and protection existing heritage.
- DESIGN STUDIO1 / 4 ECTS
Planning strategies for integrated regional development of rapidly urbanising areas - DESIGN STUDIO2 / 4 ECTS
Architectural Design Studio in informal precarious settlements - DESIGN STUDIO3 / 4 ECTS
Strategies for protecting and enhancing cultural heritage in urban-rural areas in transition
MODULE D
ON THE GROUND DESIGN WORKSHOP / 16 ECTS
The on the ground Design Workshop is aimed to test out the methodologies and tools acquired during the course. The case study is chosen to connect the workshop learning experience with a real project run by international organisations operating in the field in partnership with local institutions and the local community. The workshop will prepare students at first to gather relevant design data and information. The workshop will then continue in the field and will be dedicated to direct observation and planning. After the on the ground experience participants will summarise and bring to completion the final design product.
MODULE E
INTERNSHIP OR PROJECT WORK / 14 ECTS
International internship of at least 350 hours at an organisation or in a professional context related to the themes dealt with during the Master. This internship will thus act as a gateway to employment opportunities.
Chile, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Morocco, Mozambique, North Macedonia, Peru, Rwanda, Turkey were some of the internships past destinations. In some particular cases, the internship can be replaced by an equivalent project work.
A wide network of Partners offers internships; here some information (for further information about Partners, visit the Partners page). Internships can also be offered by other entities or by entities identified directly by the Master Students.
Some examples of internships
MODULE F
FINAL THESIS/ 6 ECTS
Students will prepare their thesis under the supervision of an academic tutor and present it at a public concluding seminar. The thesis will focus, for:
- the 1st level Master, on deepening a thematic study of one of the topics covered during the Master;
- the 2nd level Master, it will concern a case study and a project proposal.