Metadata
Title
Urban Design for the Public Good: Dutch Urbanism
Category
general
UUID
ee1239da4fdd426ba048c613bd8d8075
Source URL
https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/urban-design-for-the-public-good-dutch-urbani...
Parent URL
https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/our-courses/architecture-and-urbanism/urban-d...
Crawl Time
2026-03-23T11:25:16+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown

Urban Design for the Public Good: Dutch Urbanism

Source: https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/urban-design-for-the-public-good-dutch-urbanism/ Parent: https://learningforlife.tudelft.nl/our-courses/architecture-and-urbanism/urban-development/

Share webpage

Free

For instructor paced courses this is the length of the course.

For self-paced courses this is the length of the course if you spend the amount of time per week as specified. You're free to go faster or slower as you see fit.

8 Weeks - Effort 4 - 6 Hours per week

Enroll on edX

Loading...

Subscribe to back in stock notification

Subscribe

Through a unique Dutch approach learn how to design landscapes and cities in response to social and environmental challenges.

Are you an urban planner, designer, policy maker or involved or interested in the creation of good living environments?

This course will broaden your scope and diversify your take on the field of urban planning and design. We will focus on a unique Dutch approach and analyze how it can help those involved with urban planning and design to improve the physical environment in relation to the public good it serves, including safety, wellbeing, sustainability and even beauty.

You will learn some of the basic traits of Dutch Urbanism, including its:

You will practice with basic techniques in spatial analysis and design pertaining to these points. You will also carry out these activities in your own domestic environment.

This course is taught by the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment at TU-Delft, ranked no. 4 in Architecture/Built Environment on the QS World University Rankings (2016).

All the material in this course is presented at entry level. But since the course has an integral perspective, combining planning and design aspects, it can still be relevant for trained professionals who feel they lack experience in either field.

##### Learner Quotes

"Taking this course was one of the most enriching experiences I have ever had. The fact that we could come close to others' cultures, points of views and learn so much about countries, people, and urban challenges was extraordinary. I wish to thank every professor that took so much of their time and knowledge to share with us the amazing Urban Design in the Netherlands as an inspirational platform for our work." - Monica, USA

"I recently graduated in architecture and was looking for a master’s program in urban design. Taking this course was one of the best decisions I’ve made. There wasn’t a single moment when I felt bored. It gave me a fresh perspective on my own city and its situation, and it showed me how people from other countries can become creative or find points for improvement when facing challenges in their cities." - Tina, architect from Iran\

"I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in urban design and planning, as it offers a clear, practical, and inspiring introduction to integrated, multi-scalar thinking through real-world Dutch examples. It not only deepens professional knowledge but also challenges you to rethink how design and governance can work together for the public good." - Nour, urban planner from Lebanon - Details

##### Course Syllabus

Week 1: The first module is a thematic and technical introduction of the basic concepts behind the course and its functionality.\ Week 2: We will focus on the concept of "public goods" and how these can be strengthened or created by design and planning actions.\ Week 3: This module is focused around the structural role of the natural landscape in any urban environment.\ Week 4: We will introduce you to the concept of Urban Metabolism and the way in which different urban "flows" interact.\ Week 5: We will look at how seemingly small interventions like the restructuring of an urban plaza can have a great impact on the usability and enjoyability of the city for all.\ Week 6: This module is an introduction to the realm of data driven design. What may someday result in "smart cities" must start from a basic understanding of the relation between data and design.\ Week 7: Another exercise in how to achieve big results with small interventions: In this module, we will look at how strategic changes in infrastructure have brought new life to a dilapidated area.\ Week 8: Rounding off this course, we will bring the concept of design for the public good to an new level, what have we learned? But more importantly, what are the roads ahead? - Qualifications

##### Chartered Engineering Competences

All our online courses and programs have been matched to the competences determined by KIVI’s Competence Structure, a common frame of reference for everyone, across all disciplines, levels and roles.

These competences apply to this course:

This is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that runs on edX.

##### Prerequisites

Basic hand drawing skills, familiarity with reading and interpreting maps.

This course is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). Our MOOCs are delivered on edX.org and are open to all. They include video lectures, readings, assignments, and community discussions. Content is free, with optional certificates and additional exercises available for a fee.

What our learners say about us

Read the full story - > This course completely changed my perspective on urban design.

Jutyar Mahdi Abdalla - Iraq

Read the full story

Press to skip carousel

Press to go to carousel navigation

Circular Building Products for a Sustainable Built Environment

Start date Mar 4, 2026

4 - 5 Hours per week

€ 975,-

Rethink the City: New approaches to Global and Local Urban Challenges

3 - 4 Hours per week

Free