Foundation Certificate in Urban Design
Endorsed by
Urban Design Course Participants in 2022
What Does This Course Cover?
Join us for 3 days in Newcastle-upon-Tyne for this Foundation Certificate in Urban Design. This course is packed with action but it’s not overwhelming. Some of the things you can expect are:
- A series of lectures.
- Site visits.
- Practical design exercises.
This course is aimed at expanding your knowledge of urban design theories, and to help you apply your newly-acquired expertise in the real world.
You will also develop a sharper eye for design detail. This will help you grow your design skillset and recognise good design in the field, as well as in plans and drawings.
Lastly, this course will turn you into a successful design ally within your chosen role, be it public sector or private consultancy. You will be able to contribute to the creation of well-designed places and you’ll have a certification to show for it.
Is It For Me?
This on-site, short urban design course welcomes candidates from public and private sectors, and it requires no entry-level qualifications. It is ideal for built environment professionals at any stage in their careers, as well as for anyone who wants to develop their understanding and skills in urban design.
Our main goal is to increase design awareness amongst everyone in this course, whether directly or indirectly involved in the planning and design of the built environment. This means that this course would be perfect for:
- Public and private practitioners in the following roles:
- Town and Country Planning
- Housing
- Highways
- Heritage and Conservation
- Any related professions to the ones above are also welcome, such as:
- Project Management
- Architecture
- Public Health
- Regeneration and Economic Development
- Transport
- Public Realm Management
- Cultural and Tourism industries
- Politicians, and community leaders who are involved in the planning system, and/or keen to influence the design of new development in their areas.
- Potential students who want to know more about urban design before taking up higher education.
- Current students in Urban Design, Architecture, Planning, Landscape Architecture, and/or related studies.
- Professionals due to start new roles, having recently started new roles, or aspiring to a new role for which a better understanding of urban design is beneficial.
- Ideal for public and private practitioners in Town and Country Planning, Architecture, Highways, Heritage and Conservation, as well as related professions such as Project Management, Public Health, Regeneration and Economic Development, Transport, Public Realm Management, Cultural and Tourism industries.
- Potential students who wish to know more about urban design before taking up higher education.
- The course is UK based but content is transferrable to global contexts.
- Politicians, and community leaders who are involved in the planning system, and/or keen to influence the design of new development in their Wards, neighbourhoods, Boroughs and Districts.
- Current students in Urban Design, Architecture, Planning, Landscape Architecture and/or related studies.
- Professionals due to start new roles, having recently started new roles, or aspiring to a new role for which a better understanding of urban design is beneficial.
What Will I Learn?
Good things come in small packages, and this course is no different. Unlike other urban design courses, this is a short course, but it’s packed with valuable training that will boost your career, design awareness, and self-confidence. Some of the things you can expect to learn are:
- The fundamentals of urban design and designing at different spatial scales.
- National and local design policy, guidance, tools and techniques - including design codes.
- The most influential concepts and theories in urban design and applying these in the real world.
- Different elements of urban form, and how they impact the fundamental characteristics of a place.
- How movement and public space affect the creation of new developments that put people first.
- To understand how a development responds to context through scale, form, and detail.
- To take part in practical exercises to identify and record the attributes (or character) of an area.
- To take part in practical exercises to develop and test design proposals in 2D and 3D.
- To visit developments and understand how they are integrated into different contexts.
- To appraise design quality in plans and drawings so that you can ensure the delivery of well-designed places.
- To take part in optional evening guest lectures and social activities.
Who Delivers The Course?
The course is led by Urban Design Works founder Rob Beardsworth. Rob is a Recognised Practitioner in Urban Design with the Urban Design Group, a Design Review Panel Member in the North East and Yorkshire regions, and alumni of the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, as well as the School of Architecture and Cities at the University of Westminster. Rob is a lecturer in Urban Design at Leeds Beckett University where he teaches both Undergraduate and Masters students.
The course will be co-presented by leading urban design experts, architects, and other specialists from professional practice and academia, so you will be supported by experts along the way. Check news updates for this year’s list of co-presenters.
As well as having a wealth of experience behind them, Rob and all the co-presenters share the same values regarding the creation of new places and public spaces that are welcoming, inclusive, and at the service of people.
Will I Receive A Certification?
When you successfully complete your 3-day course, you’ll get a Foundation Certificate in Urban Design endorsed by the Urban Design Group.
Key Points
- This course deals with urban design, but you don’t need to live or work in a city to benefit from it. We welcome all applications from rural areas, as this course benefits anybody with an interest in planning and design for the built environment. Inclusivity is at the heart of what we do.
- There are no entry-level qualifications.
- The course is delivered through a range of classroom/lecture theatre-type learning, site visits, and walking tours.
- The course takes place in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom, and learners must attend in person for the duration of the 3-day course. The start and finish times will accommodate the need to travel to and from Newcastle on days 1 and 3.
- There will be virtual post-course sessions to consolidate your learning and to help you apply your new skills in the real world.
- The course is delivered in English both verbally and written.
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- The course is UK-based, but its content is transferrable to global contexts.
- This course deals with urban design, but you don’t need to live or work in a city to benefit from it. We welcome all applications from rural areas, as this course benefits anybody with an interest in planning and design for the built environment. Inclusivity is at the heart of what we do.
- There are no entry-level qualifications.
- The course is delivered through a range of classroom/lecture theatre type learning, site visits and walking tours.
- The course takes place in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom and learners must attend in person for the duration of the three-day course.
- The course is delivered in the English language both verbally and written.
Testimonials From Course Participants
Join The Course (Limited spaces available)
Discounted rate available for public sector workers! And for the latest promotions Click here to find out more.
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3 Day Course
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Course Handook
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Foundation Certificate in Urban Design endorsed by the Urban Design Group
Next Dates
17 – 19 June 2024
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
9 – 11 September 2024
If you require more information or have questions, please email us: [email protected]
Shortly before the course start date, delegates will receive a course delegate information pack containing detailed information regarding venues, location, timings, agenda, catering, course materials, recommendations and more.
Next Date
19 – 21 June 2023
If you require more information or have questions, please email us: [email protected]
Shortly before the course start date, delegates will receive a course delegate information pack containing detailed information regarding venues, location, timings, agenda, catering, course materials, recommendations and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Overnight accommodation is not essential, but it’s recommended for anyone traveling from a distance. Overnight stays are recommended on days 1 and 2 (2-nights in total).
The start and finish times will accommodate the need to travel to and from the venue.
If you’d like any advice on where to stay, please reach out at [email protected]
A meal will be served on lunch break each day of the course. Delegates will be contacted about any dietary requirements before starting the course. If you have any dietary requirements please drop us a line at [email protected]
The course is held twice a year (June and September).
Each course has a maximum capacity of 25 people to ensure an optimum experience.
The course lasts 3 days (Monday to Wednesday, unless otherwise stated), and it comes with optional evening activities (this may include special guest lectures, evening site visits, and social activities).
The course will be delivered in English.
We’ll deliver the course materials using digital display equipment and paper-based materials.
We aim to make the course as accessible and inclusive as we possibly can. If you have any questions or comments, please let us know at [email protected]
We recommend you bring appropriate clothing for the changeable North-East weather.
Bring appropriate footwear for walking short to medium distances. Some site visits can take up to 10-15 minutes of walking (very rarely they can take up a little bit more).
We recommend (but it’s not essential) that you bring notebooks and/or sketchbooks, pens, pencils, and a camera (your phone camera should be fine).
We’ll access all sites following the public realm and public rights of way. We’ll not venture into any private land or restricted area such as construction sites.
We do not foresee the need for any specialist PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), but we’ll revisit this regularly to keep you updated.
If you have any questions or comments, please drop us a line at [email protected]
We will give you access to our digital photo library, so you don’t need to worry about taking lots of pictures, just enjoy the course!
It also means that we won’t disrupt those living in the places we visit by taking lots of pictures of them.
