Masters Degree in International Cooperation in Sustainable Emergency Architecture
Official Masters 3rd edition – 2011-2012 Academic Year | ESARQ School of Architecture
This year’s course specifically focuses on the theme of Urban Regeneration as the process that integrates environmental, physical, urban, social and economic factors, to create alternatives for improving people’s quality of life in a particular urban sector or cities in general. Urban regeneration can also be understood as encompassing all the architectural and urban development processes related to rebuilding the socioeconomic and urban fabric of countries affected by human or natural catastrophes.
Below is a general overview of the course, but for detailed information about the current edition of the program, download the 2011-2012 syllabus and calendar here.
Overview
There is a clear need for qualified professionals in developing countries who can develop projects and manage urban-planning processes. These countries have some of the highest urbanization rates in the world and it is here where international cooperation is most needed. However, issues related to high-speed transformation are also affecting cities in developed countries in the northern hemisphere.
The impact of earthquakes, tsunamis, migration and war make the situation even more critical, with intervention required in the areas of construction, architecture and urban planning. Plans must be implemented for temporary development and settlements using quick construction processes that are efficient under extreme conditions. Existing resources have to be managed and solutions offered that can be implemented in this type of situation where work must be done under different forms of pressure.
The purpose of the Masters Degree in International Cooperation in Sustainable Emergency Architecture is to prepare future architects and professionals to deal with these situations and develop urban planning, housing and emergency construction projects. The professionals will be able to deal with regional planning, settlements, and emergency reconstruction. They will employ specific tools to apply appropriate strategies in order to support the development and recovery of affected communities. The programme therefore aims to establish strategies and criteria for taking action in the areas of urban planning, neighbourhood development and implementing architectural projects; while bearing in mind energy efficient systems and sustainability criterion in all areas related to materiality and local cultures. Further, the programme will train experts to provide solutions to large-scale problems generated by massive and sudden change, professionals who can study and conduct research on materials, city planning, economics, environmental and social aspects, all based on principles of sustainability.
This Masters Programme forms part of the Erasmus Mundus European cooperation programme, which is considered to be one of the most prestigious programmes in the world. The Mundus Urbano programme is a joint European Masters degree programme offered by the following universities: Technische Universität Darmstadt, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Université Pierre-Mendès-France Grenoble and the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya in Barcelona.
Aims of the Masters program
Students will acquire the necessary knowledge to be able to manage complex projects in which governmental and non-governmental institutions, beneficiaries and technical staff are involved. Students will be able to organise the tasks based on an interdisciplinary approach, they will also acquire the necessary methodologies and tools to manage projects ranging from urban to architectural scales; maximizing human resources and building the capacity of future generations to deal with and support local actors in post-disaster scenarios.
Program
This program is aimed at university graduates from the areas of Architecture, Urban Development, Construction, Civil Engineering or Design and International Cooperation. The course is taught in English. All the following information can also be viewed on our online brochure.
Duration
From October 2011 to July 2012
Credits
The syllabus contains a total of 60 ECTS credits, distributed throughout the academic year into 29.5 theory credits, 15.5 personal work credits and 15 practical credits.
Calendar
The course will be taught between October 2011 and July 2012.
Program Structure
The programme is divided into three terms, each with a specific aim, with the final purpose of preparing students to develop a thesis on action methods in complex and fragile post-emergency situations.
TERM 1 – CRITERIA Students will attend full day workshops and part-time seminars. During this academic period, students will develop short projects and will acquire knowledge on the use of appropriate planning mechanisms and resources based on local culture and sustainability principles with the objective of supporting development and recovery for affected communities. This will involve establishing the criteria and strategies for action at the urban scale, developing neighbourhoods and implementing architectural projects such as public facilities and post-emergency housing.
TERM 2 – FIELD TRIP & INTERNSHIP Includes a trip outside Europe to see places with developing needs or places that need future responses and settlement reconstruction after crises. Students participate in an internship with a company or institution working in an area of international cooperation.
TERM 3 – STUDIO PROJECT Students start their individual research projects under the supervision of a tutor. The project will focus on specific post-emergency scenarios, urban development, prototypes and disaster management. This part of the programme includes lectures on practical matters and methodology to assist students in developing their studio projects.
Syllabus and Subjects
TERM 1 – CRITERIA – Oct 2011- Jan 2012
Subject 1: Global Identity and Development
Subject 2: Urbanism and housing in developing context
Subject 3: Design Tools
TERM 2: FIELD TRIP & INTERNSHIP – Feb 2012-May 2012
The most practical part of the course will take place during the FIELD TRIP & INTERNSHIP.
Subject 4: Field trip, Internship
TERM 3: STUDIO PROJECT – May 2012-July 2012
The thesis will be prepared in Term 3.
Subject 5: Studio Project (Master Thesis)
