Urban Design Policy and Action
MIT OpenCourseWare offers this graduate-level course examining how public policy shapes urban design and how governments implement design decisions in cities. Through readings, discussions, student presentations, and written papers, the course builds a critical understanding of the governance structures within which urban design occurs, alongside the practical tools designers and policymakers use to intervene creatively in the built environment. Topics cover the mechanics of zoning, planning regulation, and design review processes, along with case studies of how policy tools have succeeded or failed to shape real cities. Materials include the syllabus, assignments, and readings list as published by MIT's Department of Urban Studies and Planning. The course is free to audit through MIT OpenCourseWare, with no certificate offered.