Drowning Cities: Spatial Development

This international programme is interesting for students of Architecture, Civil Engineering/ Water Management or Urban Planner/ Spatial Development who want to develop their design skills and solve climate-related issues in public space.  As part of an interdisciplinary team (architect, civil/water engineer and spatial designer), you will focus on water-related problems caused by climate change in an urban area in an international context.

1.                  In short

By stepping into the role of architect, civil engineer, water manager or urban designer, you will develop the skills needed to create effective design solutions for challenges in the built environment. You’ll deepen your understanding of your own discipline while learning to position your work within a broader, interdisciplinary context.

Are you eager to learn from experts, contribute value to our built environment, and explore how to design water- and climate-adaptive urban spaces/architecture and water management systems? Then this minor/elective module is the perfect fit for you!

2.                  Module content

What will you do and learn in this module?

• You will work on a real-life case of an urban area in a European City.  Part of this module is an excursion (not mandatory) to the location (probably Copenhagen but could also be another city) with interactive workshops, inspiration sessions and assignments.
• You learn from (guest) teachers; and experts from the field.
• You will gain knowledge about urban design, water management and architectural design and how these different disciplines can use each other to come up with more sustainable cities. This method corresponds to professional practice.

·         You do research that you use to create a design proposal.

What do you have to be able to do and what do you deliver?

·      The bottom line is that you must be able to deliver professional products related to your own field in both research (Research or Design) and design (Research by Design) and that you come up with an integrated solution together in a multidisciplinary team.  So you will make 2D and 3D drawings and be able to argue them in a document to be submitted.

·      In addition, you also make a model.

·      You will be supported in the weekly guidance and workshops in making the requested products.

·      Be creative and come up with design solutions. Submitted products consist mainly of visualized design outputs, supported by analysis and research.

·      The exact Learning Outcomes have yet to be formulated.

You have passed your Propaedeutic year and have taken the courses of the second year.

·         It is highly recommended that if you choose one of the areas of expertise, you have already gained sufficient knowledge and skills in your previous education.

·        The minor is also accessible for dual students a part of the total credits and an adapted program is offered.  (Of course, the number of scheduled moments is also less than for full-time students).

This is a full-time program. The activities will be scheduled over the course of the week (2 to 3 days) and include workshops, lectures, project preparation, project execution, supervision and feedback sessions. You will be expected to attend at least 80% of all the activities. To promote the progress of the project, interim evaluations and presentations will be held. The  workload of the Minor is around 40 hours a week (including workshops and tutoring).

• September: Start of the Minor (exact date will be communicated)
• Mid October: Study trip 
• End of January Final presentation

This minor has been under our care for 9 years, but due to a curriculum change, the program will be adjusted.  In the coming period, we will work hard to develop new learning outcomes and assessment methods. In total, you can obtain 30 credits with this module. These credits will be divided into 3 learning outcomes that will be spread over 19 teaching weeks.  In general, you will be tested on one of the following components:

·         submitted research and design document

·         Oral presentation

·         assignments that are handed in at different workshops

Language: English 

Location: The Avans campus in Den Bosch is our main location. This minor is part of the bachelor program “Bouwkunde Den Bosch (BOU-H)”. You will need this information to apply (Studielink). 

For questions related to the content and whether you are eligible please contact:

Patrick Lenssen( coordinator), plenssen@avans.nl

For questions related to registration and other formal questions minor please contact:

minoren.adgo@avans.nl