This research-driven graduate program provides an innovative pathway for students interested in acquiring a critical understanding of the design of cities and the transdisciplinary knowledge required to transform them. Drawing on the expanding and evolving body of urban knowledge, urban research, and action, the program will redefine urbanism and urban design as a field of transformative practice.
The Master of Arts in Theories of Urban Practice, launched in fall 2012, reflects a new approach to urbanism in which the main tools of design are transformative theories, urban research, and analysis. In the 36-credit program, students will conduct original research and develop design strategies based on critical engagement with contemporary urban issues viewed through historical, theoretical, methodological, and analytical lenses.
The program is aimed at students who are interested in the ways cities are shaped and reshaped, whether through urban planning, public policy, real estate development, architecture, or other forms of design. Students will explore new avenues beyond conventional urban design programs to gain a broad understanding of the social, political, economic, and environmental forces that affect cities. They will seek ways to transform cities, including working with—and ultimately occupying leadership positions in—community groups, foundations, educational institutions, think tanks, public agencies, private firms, global collaborative networks.
This new graduate program will be housed in Parsons' School of Design Strategies. Students in the program can take part in project-based studios in related programs at Parsons, including the MS in Design and Urban Ecologies and MFA in Transdisciplinary Design, as well as other New School graduate programs.
The New School is a progressive university in New York City that offers some of the nation's most respected programs in art and design studies, performing arts, liberal arts, and management and policy.
The program is designed for
The program is also ideal for career changers in art, media, design, and policymaking who want advanced training in sustainability and an advanced degree and training in urban design and urbanism.
For more information, contact Parsons at thinkparsonsgrad@newschool.edu.
