Cities are places where long-term developments converge. Changes in technology, the economy, mobility, ecology, and lifestyles influence how cities may develop in the future. In the Future Proof City minor programme, you explore how these developments are interconnected and how, despite uncertainty, direction can be given to future-proof urban choices, with attention to both the spatial and societal dimensions of the city.

During the minor programme, you approach the city as a complex system in which spatial, social, economic, and ecological processes are interconnected. You learn to analyse how cities function and how past decisions continue to shape present and future developments. Explicit attention is given to the fact that urban interventions often have unintended effects and that not all aspects of the city are fully controllable or makeable, highlighting the limits of urban malleability.

The minor programme is structured around practice-based Design Challenges and design sprints, in which you collaborate with other students on future-oriented urban issues. These challenges are regularly introduced by external parties such as municipalities, societal organisations, and research groups (lectorates). Theory, research, and design are integrated, and you learn to switch between analysis, imagination, and concrete elaboration.

An important component of the minor programme is working with future scenarios and alternative future visions. You learn not only to analyse existing trends and developments, but also to explore multiple possible futures. Scenario thinking is used to question assumptions, make uncertainties explicit, and better substantiate design choices, without striving for a single fixed vision of the future.

Within the design challenges and sprints, you apply Research by Design. Design is used as a means of inquiry: to formulate questions, explore possibilities, and test hypotheses about future urban developments. Through sketching, modelling, and prototyping, you develop insight into how urban systems may change and which interventions are promising under different conditions.

In addition to project-based work, the programme offers knowledge input from both within and outside the degree programme. Lecturers, researchers, and guest speakers provide lectures and in-depth sessions in which current theory, research, and practical experience are shared. This knowledge forms the substantive foundation for the challenges and supports you in substantiating your design and research choices.

The minor programme encourages collaboration in multidisciplinary teams, bringing together diverse perspectives. You develop not only substantive knowledge and design skills, but also competencies in communication, reflection, and collaboration. Attention is paid to your role as a future professional: how do you position yourself within complex urban challenges, and how do you engage others in an uncertain and constantly changing context?

After completing the Future Proof City minor programme, you will have gained experience in working on complex urban challenges, applying future thinking, and using Research by Design. You will have developed a broader perspective on urban development and be better prepared to contribute to future-proof solutions within the built environment.

Do you want to work on real urban challenges and learn how to deal with uncertainty, change, and complexity? In this minor programme, you develop the skills and professional attitude required, based on the following competencies:

Imagine and Inspire

You are able to articulate a future vision that goes beyond solving an immediate practical problem. You use imagination to make new directions and possibilities visible and are able to engage others in these visions.

At a time when urban systems are under pressure, a compelling future narrative is needed to generate momentum. You learn not only to develop ideas, but also to build support for alternatives that may not yet seem self-evident today.

Research by Design

You use design as a way of researching. By drawing, testing, making, and iterating, you explore complex challenges. Thinking takes place through doing: every sketch, model, or prototype generates new insights.

Urban challenges are complex and uncertain. Through Research by Design, you learn to explore scenarios, test assumptions, and develop solutions that are substantiated and future-proof. This way of working aligns with real-world urban challenges and collaboration with clients and stakeholders.

Personal and System-Oriented Leadership

You develop insight into your own role, convictions, and actions, combined with an understanding of the larger systems in which you operate. You learn to take responsibility, weigh considerations, and provide direction in situations where no unambiguous solution exists.

Urban change requires not only technical knowledge, but also professionals who can act under uncertainty, connect diverse interests, and substantiate choices. You develop a professional attitude that enables you to make a meaningful contribution within complex urban systems.

Admission requirements in accordance with the OER of your own course.

For this minor programme, a concise reader is used, supplemented with presentations and additional materials made available via Brightspace. The reader contains the key texts and background information required to properly understand the themes and challenges.

In addition, references to relevant literature, articles, cases, and other sources are shared throughout the minor programme. These serve to deepen understanding and support your work, depending on the challenge and your individual learning objectives.

The minor programme follows a fixed weekly schedule. The specific days and times for the knowledge hubs, development hubs, and design studios are announced approximately three weeks prior to the start of the minor.

Each of the knowledge hubs, development hubs, and design studios takes place during one fixed half-day per week. This means that, in principle, you attend on-campus education for three half-days per week.

The first two weeks of the minor programme are more intensive. During this start-up phase, you should take into account four to five teaching moments per week, during which the foundation is laid for the working methods, collaboration, and the first challenges.

In addition to scheduled teaching moments, you are expected to work independently and in teams on the challenges. This includes research, design work, processing feedback, and elaborating Professional Deliverables. On average, this results in a study load of approximately 40 hours per week, including contact hours.

Throughout the minor programme, consultation moments are organised, during which you can consult an expert on the theme or question you are working on.

Educational contact hours may be scheduled on all weekdays between 8:30 and 18:40.

Contact time:

You should expect an average study load of 40 hours per week. This time consists of educational contact hours, working on challenges, and self-study, both individually and in teams.

Start-up phase (weeks 1 and 2)
The first two weeks are more intensive. During this period, you are immersed in the theme of the minor programme and become familiar with the working methods, key concepts, and modes of collaboration. You attend multiple teaching moments, workshops, and instructions, and begin the first explorations. A high level of attendance and commitment is expected during this phase.

Challenge phase (four Design-challenges of three weeks)
After the start-up phase, you work on four consecutive challenges, each with a duration of three weeks. In each challenge, you address a concrete question posed by a client.

During this phase, you are generally present at the university for three half-days per week for the knowledge hubs, development hubs, and design studios. The remaining time is spent on self-study and team-based work outside the scheduled sessions, such as research, design, elaboration of Professional Deliverables, and processing feedback.

Interim weeks
Between the design challenges, interim weeks take place. During these weeks, you present the results of the completed challenge to the client. Excursions often take place, and you are introduced to the new client and the next assignment. The interim weeks form a transition between two challenges and provide space for reflection and orientation.

Consultation moments
In addition to regular teaching moments, consultation moments are available. Together with your team, you can schedule appointments with experts such as researchers, lecturers, or clients. These consultations are intended for in-depth discussion and advice and are planned independently, depending on the questions arising within your challenge.

Final phase (last 2 weeks)
The minor programme concludes with a two-week final phase in which the Jury Review takes place. During this phase, you work towards the final presentation and prepare to present yourself and your work as a future-oriented professional. Attendance during these concluding moments is mandatory.

 

The minor programme has a study load of 30 ECTS and consists of a coherent programme of different learning environments in which you acquire knowledge, develop skills, and immediately apply them in design and research assignments.

Programme Components

Knowledge hubs
Within the knowledge hubs, you receive focused input on the central themes of the minor programme. You explore issues related to densification and transformation, the energy transition, the just city, social and physical living environments, work and economy, and future scenarios. The knowledge hubs provide the substantive foundation for understanding urban challenges and making well-informed choices within your projects.

Development hub
In the development hub, you work on your growth as a future-oriented professional. You explore future professional roles, learn strategic thinking, recognise and weigh interests, and practise making and justifying choices in complex urban situations. Your professional attitude is central here: how do you position yourself, and how do you act in uncertain and changing contexts?

Design studio
In the design studio, you work on concrete design and research challenges. You are introduced to various design and research methods to explore possible futures for the city. Through Design by Research — drawing, testing, and iterating — you translate abstract issues into spatial and strategic proposals.

In addition, continuous support is provided in the areas of collaboration, planning, and organisation, enabling you to gain control over both the design process and your role within the team.

Assessment
Assessment is largely formative. Throughout the minor programme, you receive feedback during the different challenges on the Professional Deliverables you are working on. You consciously apply this feedback in subsequent challenges, demonstrating how you learn, improve, and refine your choices based on earlier insights.

At the end of the minor programme, a Jury Review takes place. During this final assessment, you present yourself and your work to a fictional future client. You demonstrate how you think, which choices you have made, how you have dealt with uncertainty, and what your added value is as a future-oriented professional within complex urban challenges. The Jury Review therefore assesses not only the final outcome, but also your professional development and positioning.

You can retake the exam within the semester. This means that after the assessment is announced, you have two weeks to provide additional evidence of the competencies to be assessed.

Costs: Please take into account approximately €200–300 in additional costs. These costs relate, among other things, to excursions, the use of digital and AI tools, and any additional activities or materials incorporated into the minor programme.

Information about the minor?
Contact Joram van Otterloo: j.van.otterloo@hva.nl
Erik de Graaf: e.de.graaf@hva.nl

Questions about the Kies op Maat procedure?
Contact: Monique Ax-Bervoets, Christian van Dokkum  minoren-techniek@hva.nl

Applications will be processed in the order of receipt of signed learning agreements. There are 12 places available for Kies op Maat students.