Topic outline



  • The 5 cr course MUO-E8026 (USP-323) Designing for Urban Governance and Services provides an overview of the current and emerging uses and roles of design in the public sector. It introduces core terminologies, theories, methods and examples of design, planning and other creative professional roles in the context of urban governance and public services. The aim is to familiarise students with recent knowledge in the design field and to develop their skills in applying design approaches in the USP studios and in their profession.

    The main topics in the course are:

    • Introduction to present and future approaches, issues and trends in public governance and service provisioning, with focus on design and planning implications.
    • Introduction to design theories, methods and approaches relevant in the public sector, including design for policy and governance, design for services, design for civil society and activism, and design for behaviour change.
    • Examples of design activities, cases and experts from the field.
    • Critical analysis of the value, potential and challenges of design in the public sector.
    The course consists of three elements:
    • Series of lectures
    • Reading circle done in groups
    • Individual essay and final presentation

    Contact teaching is on Tuesdays (see below for more details). The teachers are Antti Pirinen (responsible teacher), María Ferreira Litowtschenko, Ramia Mazé and guests.

    THE COURSE STARTS ON TUE 26 FEB 2019 AT 10:15 IN OTAKAARI 1, ROOM U405a.
    (Note the changes to previous information.)


    COURSE COOPERATION (DfG)
    This course will be held in cooperation with the Aalto University CS course MUO-E8012 Design for Government (DfG). Both courses will be held in proximity on Tuesdays, with some shared sessions. DfG is a project-based course in which students address policy challenges commissioned by the Finnish ministries. It thus provides complementary examples of project-based work in the subject. Both courses can be taken at the same time for a total of 15 cr. The DfG course lasts for two periods (IV & V). Note that there is an application process for the DfG course.


    REGISTRATION
    This course is offered by Aalto Dept. of Design within the joint Aalto University and Helsinki University Master's Programme in Urban Studies and Planning (USP). For students that are not registered in the USP major or minor study program, the course is also available to students from other degree programmes as an elective. Responsible teacher sets the limit on number of student places in the course. If there are more students registered for the course than there are places in the course, there will be a selection process. Priority order for selection is specified in the course description in Oodi.

    Registration for the course closes a week before the first day of class, whereupon elective students will be notified if they have a place in the course.

    WEEKLY SCHEDULE

    Teaching hours are Tuesdays between 9:15–15:30, with some part of the day reserved for independent and group work. The detailed program will be updated to MyCourses before the beginning of the course. The lectures are often shared with the DfG course.

    NOTE: THIS IS A DRAFT SCHEDULE – THE WEEKLY SCHEDULE WILL VARIATE WITHIN THESE TIME SLOTS!

    • 9:15–10:45 Lecture or other teaching session
    • 11:00–12:00 Lecture or other teaching session
    • 12:00–13:00 Lunch break
    • 13:00–14:15 Time allocated for group work & independent reading and writing (or sometimes a teaching session)
    • 14:30–15:30 Sharing session of the reading groups, facilitated by teachers

    Location is Aalto University undergraduate centre, Otakaari 1, U-wing, 4th floor (see the floor plan in link):

    • U406b > our own teaching sessions (also available for groupwork during the whole day)
    • U405a > lectures that are shared with the DfG course

    CONTACTS

    Antti Pirinen (responsible teacher)
    DA, University Lecturer
    Spatial and Service Design
    Aalto ARTS, Dept. of Architecture
    antti.pirinen@aalto.fi
    +358-40-5300828

    María Ferreira Litowtschenko
    MA, Doctoral Candidate in Design
    Aalto ARTS, Dept. of Design
    maria.ferreiralitowtschenko@aalto.fi