Minor International Urban Redevelopment

Fancy tackling real-world challenges in cities like Calgary, Seattle, Los Angeles and Bilbao? This minor gives you the chance to work on one of today’s biggest urban issues – cutting car dependency and sprawl while boosting air quality, liveability and social cohesion. 

You will team up across disciplines to blend spatial design, behavioural change and community engagement, creating evidence-based visions and detailed designs that make a real impact. Plus, you will present your ideas to local experts, gain international experience and build a portfolio backed by genuine project sponsors.

You will work in teams of four to six on challenging international case studies, carrying out in-depth analyses and creating integrated solutions that combine infrastructure, behavioural campaigns and community participation. Each team will deliver a 10-page vision document, visual materials and a detailed background report, with top teams earning the chance to present their work internationally.

More information:

Language of instruction

English.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements for BUas students:

• Propaedeutic certificate obtained

Admission requirements for external students:

• Propaedeutic certificate obtained

Learning outcomes & competencies

By the end of this minor, you will have developed key analytical, research, design and communication competencies through intensive project work. You will learn to assess situations in international case study areas using STEEP and SWOT analysis tools and apply these insights to create integrated concepts involving hardware, software and organisational interventions that are grounded in theory.

You will hone your ability to initiate, specify and design detailed, integrated plans that address societal issues related to urban sprawl and car dependency, providing a coherent narrative from analysis to concept development and specific measures. Through hands-on tactical urbanism training, you will develop the skills needed to implement and carry out targeted urban guerrilla tactics and perform real street interventions.

Throughout the programme, you will develop an entrepreneurial attitude by working professionally, taking the initiative in project tasks and critically reflecting on your performance as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Topics and structure of the minor

This minor’s main objective is to explore the transition towards sustainable cities and mobility through six key topics. 

1. Green gentrification
2. Tactical urbanism and placemaking
3. Inclusivity and urban planning
4. Design thinking and concepting
5. Car dependency and active transportation
6. Integrated network planning

The minor programme consists of three phases.
During the Initiation Phase, you and your team will explore the case study area using STEEP and SWOT analyses. Each team member will immerse themselves in one of the four topics. Knowledge modules emphasise the nature and impact of hardware, software and orgware (HSO) interventions.
During the Integration Phase, you combine the outcomes of teamwork and individual studies to create a unified vision for the case study area. The key challenge here is to create a vision in which the various elements and measures reinforce each other. The second part of this phase shifts the emphasis to developing integrated packages of measures to support the sustainable transition in your case study area.
During the Communication Phase, you will focus on how to present your findings to the project commissioner and wider audiences. The project commissioner will visit Breda to discuss your concepts and provide feedback. Knowledge modules focus on visual communication (VIC) to help you convey your message as effectively as possible.

Teaching & assessment

The minor includes two studio days per week on campus, during which you will receive interactive coaching and plenary feedback sessions. These will be combined with masterclasses and mini lectures on the four core topics. Your group will also hold official progress meetings at least once every two weeks. The remaining days are dedicated to individual and group work.

All instruction, masterclasses, lectures and coaching sessions are conducted in English, and Dutch-speaking staff are available to support students for whom English is not their first language.

Throughout the minor, you will be coached by experts from BUas, who will provide qualitative feedback based on the learning objectives. Assessment is a continuous process that combines team deliverables, such as a 10-page vision document, poster/visual communication materials and a background report, with an evaluation of your individual performance.

Self-evaluation and peer feedback are both essential components. You will reflect on your personal performance and the dynamics of the team, while all team members will provide feedback on each other's work and actions. The final assessment consists of two grades on a scale of 1–10: one for your individual contribution and one for the group's overall performance. Each grade counts for 50% of your final grade.

Required study material

This minor requires you to read academic and professional journals. Your lecturers will select relevant literature for you. You will also be expected to conduct your own literature research.

Additional costs

None. However, the best teams will have the opportunity to visit the project sponsor after the minor project and present their work to local experts and community groups abroad. Selected students will need to cover some of the travel costs, while BUas and the project sponsor will arrange and cover the hosting costs.

Minor coordinator

Paul van de Coevering: [email protected] & Rana Habibi: [email protected]