studying planning and urban design in Venice

Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in planning and urban design at Università Iuav di Venezia combine the solid foundation and reputation of the first school in urban planning in Italy – started in 1970 by Giovanni Astengo – with the ability to respond to the urban and territorial issues of our time.

Planning and urban design deal with understanding and guiding the transformations of cities and territories, built spaces, natural environments and - most of all - of the people who inhabit them.

Key themes are the quality of urban life, environmental and landscape protection, adaptation to climate change, reduction of inequalities between urban areas and between territories.

Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in planning and urban design in Venice provide high-level training to enter a labour market that increasingly requires professional profiles capable of responding to the complex contemporary urban and territorial challenges.

the bachelor’s degree in planning and urban design

The bachelor’s degree in planning and urban design trains junior urban designers and planners, who can intervene in the analysis, assessment, design, planning, and management of cities and territories and related transformations.

The study programme covers two thematic areas: environmental sustainability and urban studies. The aim is to provide knowledge and skills to improve the quality of living environments by assuming social equity, inclusion, active listening, and stakeholder involvement as core values.

The study programme consists of theoretical courses, integrated courses with practical activities and workshops as well as seminars, conferences, and study trips.

The internship period is a particularly important element. It is usually carried out in professional firms, public administrations, study and research centres, companies, associations, committees, and organisations. It represents a valuable experience for the preparation of the final thesis and entering the labour market. Moreover, the study programme provides guidance and mentoring for students during their studies.

The study programme is organised into two tracks. The first focuses on environmental sustainability and environmental management, with the aim of providing tools for environmental data processing and assessment through innovative approaches and technologies. The second on urban studies, to understand and interpret contemporary urban transformations through urban regeneration processes supported by innovative, sustainable, and creative practices.

careers

Junior planners and urban designer can apply their knowledge and skills in a variety of fields: collaboration in the design of spatial government plans required by the law, strategic plans and sectoral plans (such as urban sustainable mobility plans and greenery plans), major urban transformation projects and urban and territorial regeneration actions; environmental assessment; participatory urban transformation processes and projects; design and management of spatial information systems.

Graduates can also work as self-employed professionals registered with the professional association of architects, planners, landscape architects and conservators or as consultants to public bodies, private or public organisations or as technical instructors for local authorities.