This degree programme aims to train junior urban planners and designers that are able to contribute — through adequate knowledge and skills — to processes of analysis, assessment, design, planning, and management of the city, territory, and environment. The educational activities are characterised by highly innovative methodologic and technical approaches to social demands and emerging issues: climate change, energy, place identity, city and territory resilience, social equality and inclusion, participation. In addition to specific contents developed within the relevant courses, the teaching process encourages a number of forms of interaction between students, professors, and external experts: labs and studios become the breeding ground for integration of theoretical and methodological knowledge, applied knowledge, and technical-practical skills. Internships introduce students to external work environments (professional studios, technical offices of local or central government, companies, associations, and organisations) where they learn to manage the operating conditions of their profession.

Professional profile

The junior planner and urban designer may correspond to multiple professional profiles. Thanks to the knowledge and skills gained during their education, the graduates can take the professional licensing examination and enrol in the professional register of Architects, Planners, Landscape Designers, and Curators/Section B, in order to work as self-employed junior planners or to earn important career positions within the local or central government.

Other emerging and not necessarily regulated professional profiles allow graduates to work: for companies, associations, and organisations; with other professional figures on plans, programmes, projects, and consultancy for urban planning and regional and environmental analysis; in the assessment, participatory processes, and development of geographic information systems; on the management of specific applications for planning and urban design in information and communication technology applications; on thematic processing of geographic information even within the field of geomarketing for the regionalisation of business strategies.