Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

In this course, participants will: 

  • Analyze the urban challenge theme and a particular urban situation in relation to relevant issues and theories drawn from across multiple disciplines; 
  • Demonstrate understanding of urban issues and dynamics across spatial and temporal scales, including local, regional, national and global impacts. 

The course objectives are reflected in the following intended learning outcomes, whereby the end of the course, participant will be able to: 

  • ILO 1: critically evaluate concepts from different disciplines (within the course tasks)​ 
  • ILO 2: define the urban problems to be addressed (within the course task) ​ 
  • ILO 3: analyze data sets of the study area using different tools ​ 
  • ILO 4: formulate clear research questions​ 
  • ILO 5: communicate the project outcome to decision-makers  ​ 
  • ILO 6: collaborate within a team 

Credits: 10

Schedule: 09.01.2025 - 11.04.2025

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Christine Mady

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Common urban challenge studios integrate multiple expert areas to study and address contemporary urban phenomena from different perspectives. The challenge-driven educational model of the studio crosses disciplines and specializations, prioritizing design thinking, learning-by-doing experimentation, interdisciplinarity and solving societal challenges. The students will produce research exploration. For the USP- architecture students the focus will be on design and planning work.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Specific information will be given on MyCourse portal. Active participation in the different tasks specified during the course, such as lectures and discussions, group work, field trips, presentations and final reports and learning portfolios. Comprehensive evaluation individually but also partly based on collective work. The grading is defined from 5 (outstanding) to 1 (acceptable).

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The course takes place in class unless otherwise indicated in both courses.

    Tutored studies ca. 85 hrs (lectures, groupwork, assignments, reading seminars, workshops), independent study ca. 185 hrs (assignments both individual and groupwork), in total 270 hrs (1 ECTS = approx. 27 working hours).

DETAILS

Study Material
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Will be provided during the studio on MyCourses portal.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    10 Reduced Inequality

    11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

    13 Climate Action

    14 Life Below Water

    15 Life on Land

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language: English

    Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Spring III - V
    2025-2026 Spring III - V

    Registration:

    Min 5 students, Max 60 students. The course is organised as part of a joint programme for students studying at the Master's Programme in Urban Studies and Planning in either Aalto University or the University of Helsinki. Registration in Aalto University Sisu.