“There is no logic that can be superimposed on the city; people make it, and it is to them, not buildings, that we must fit our plans.” - Jane Jacobs

Learning in the field with collaborators and partners of UNESCO Chair. Image Courtesy: Law, Environment & Planning, SMI

About the Programme

Public spaces are both built and open and include spaces such as streets, parks, marketplaces, transportation nodes, cultural institutions such as libraries and museums, community centers to mention a few. These are spaces that support diverse users, and ensure that people are included and supported regardless of cultural and socio-economic background, age, gender, physical ability, or political views. The encounters and interactions that take place in public spaces facilitate the making of a shared identity, and a sense of community. They are integral to the functioning of a community allowing for communication and mobility, sharing and distribution of resources and infrastructure, and providing access to livelihoods.

The role of the public space designer is that of an investigator, facilitator and curator who enables communities and stakeholders to shape their public spaces. Thus the design of these places are inherently transdisciplinary; anchored in participatory, and collaborative processes.

The M.Des (Public Space Design) challenges predominant practices that primarily focus on redevelopment of public spaces. The course does not require a background in architecture, design or planning background, and anybody with an interest in public spaces, community development or urbanism may apply provided they have an undergraduate education of four years or more.

The program cultivates an inquiry led approach sited in place-based contexts. Students will have opportunities to work with faculty and research labs on research projects during the course. Research that this program typically seeks to encourage focus on inclusion, justice, equity, resilience, and community well-being in public spaces considering the complexities that emerge from the interactions between policy, governance, design, and use.

Course Structure

• Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary studios
• Workshops
• Seminars
• Lines of Inquiries (Field work, Case Studies, Investigations, individual or Group Projects, Transdisciplinary Research)
• Theory and Understanding
• Independent Study
• Open Elective
• Practice
• Exhibitions
• Culminating Performances of Understanding (Portfolio, Transdisciplinary research, Projects, Colloquium, Capstone/Dissertation)
• Knowledge Enhancement (ability or skills)

Learning Approach

Learning at the postgraduate level is driven by the lines of inquiries that are enacted through studio-based learning, workshops, theoretical reflections and field work that are embedded in specific geographical and cultural contexts.

Program learning approaches include:

• A theoretical and conceptual knowledge of approaches to design, current issues and discourses related to public space
• Using tools to research context, analyze, synthesise and conceptualise art and design outcomes in public space and in the public realm
• Understanding methods of comprehensive studies in project and/or discourse in public space design
• Trans-disciplinary collaboration among peers, practitioners and community to facilitate greater inclusion in public space.
• Using real life opportunities to create and test interventions and processes in community spaces.
• Community informed sustainable practices that help protect natural resources and manage disasters.

Group Discussion in the Studio. Image Courtesy: Law, Environment & Planning, SMI

Capabilities

On successful completion of the course, graduates will have the following capabilities:

1. To be sensitive towards regional perspectives, respect diversity and help design for just and inclusive communities
2. To be able to critique constraints, question assumptions and limitations; think independently and strive for deeper engagement
3. To be able to identify, explore, experiment with real and conceptual frameworks and develop innovative practice
4. To be able to examine and engage in systematic enquiry of cultural, political, environmental, and historical contexts of space and place
5. To be able to use participatory approaches to engage with communities
6. To be able to select and use appropriate methods of research; understand, analyse, and synthesize information; communicate them effectively to the community and other stakeholders
7. To be able to make informed choices and expand ideas of art, design, policy, and sustainability
8. To be able to design, engage and manage safe, sustainable, and layered engagements for people with and in  public space

Opportunities

Public Space Design plays a significant role in shaping our cities and communities. A participatory and inclusive approach to designing public spaces helps create an inclusive society offering a high quality of life. After the completion of the course, one could work in the architecture and planning sector enabling studios to engage with communities as part of their planning and design process. Graduates of the program may also choose to work with community organisations, policy think tanks, government agencies as consultants or researchers. The course also provides a strong foundation for those intending to take on doctoral studies in a related field.

People

Enquiries

Disciplinary Intersections

The program is informed by the following learning disciplines:

Research and Collaboration

FAQs