Founding Director of the School of Architecture and Design
| Al-Harithy, Howayda |
| Graduate Programs Coordinator | Harb, Mona |
| Architecture Track Convener | Patt, Trevor Ryan |
| Graphic Design Track Convener | El-Gharbie', Ahmad |
| Landscape Architecture Track Convener | Abunnasr, Yaser |
| Professors | Al-Harithy, Howayda; Fawaz, Mona; Harb, Mona; Musfy, Leila; Talhouk, Salma; Zurayk, Rami |
| Associate Professors | Abunnasr, Yaser; Aramouny, Carla; Ghaibeh, Lina; El- Gharbie', Ahmad; Najjar, Karim |
| Assistant Professors | Acikgoz, Umit Firat; Al-Akl, Nayla; Dreksler, Beata; Khoury, Yara; Patt, Trevor Ryan; Traboulsi, Jana |
| Assistant Professors of Practice | Fayad, Nicolas; Frem, Sandra |
| Adjunct Professors | Tabet, Jad; Makhzoumi, Jala |
| Adjunct Associate Professor | Trovato, Maria Gabriella |
| Senior Lecturers | Abboud, Rania; Abdulhay Alkhayat, Nadine; Al-Kadi, Makram; Alamuddine, Hana; Balaa, Lara; Berro, Maher; Braidy, Michele; Boyadjian, Rafi; Charafeddine, Leen; El- Imam, Hatem; Fayad, Farah; Gemayel, Imad; Genz, Bettina; Hassan, Sinan; Jamal, Sany; Kosermelli, Simone; Mallat, Bernard; Shaiban, Houssam; Yamout, Nadine |
| Lecturers | Abi Hanna, Ghita; Al-Hage, Carla; Bacha, Karim; Bacho, Omar; Badran, Noura; Basbous, Monica; Baz, Joan; Apelian, Khajag; Denris, Alicia; Hanna, George; Hassoun, Nour; Issa, Maha; Bou Nasr, Roland; Khouja, Ahmad; Khoury, Greta; Melhem, Wissam; Moussawer, Karim; Muhsen, Dana; Nader, Halim; Youssef, Shawki; Zahzah, Abdul-Rahman |
| Senior Instructors | Badran, Zeina; Fidawi, Maya |
| Instructors | Al Baalbaky, Ahmad; Fabian, Monika; Faour, Batoul, Farah, Karim; Mezher, Fouad; Kanaan, Mohamad; Kattan, Sarah- Rita; Ohannessian, Shoghag; Saber, Romy; Traboulsi, Tanya |
| Lab Instructors | Azzi, Ghinwa; Khalil, Mirella |
Graduate Programs
The School of Architecture and Design offers the following:
- Master of Urban Design (MUD)
- Master of Urban Planning and Policy (MUPP)
Master of Urban Design (MUD) & Master of Urban Planning and Policy (MUPP)
Programs Mission
The master of urban planning and policy program (MUPP) and the master of urban design program (MUD) aim at preparing highly qualified, well-rounded professionals who are able to deal with the multifaceted design challenges in today’s urban environments in Lebanon and the region.
The MUD program emphasizes mastery of the design tools necessary for the effective practice of urban design. Students are exposed to a multidisciplinary understanding of contemporary urban challenges that trains them to position the design profession amidst other professions of the city. They learn to integrate design tools with policy strategies and institutional analysis. The master of urban design has adopted the studio-based approach to professional education as the main context of learning. The program accepts university graduates and practitioners from design fields and prepares them to occupy leading professional roles in design and planning firms and in public and non-profit agencies.
The MUPP program is designed to provide a broad professional education in urban planning. Emphasis is placed on the development of multidisciplinary analytical skills necessary to address contemporary urbanization as well as mastery of the tools and approaches adopted in the contemporary practice of urban planning and policymaking. The program guides students in defining a specific area of expertise within the wider practice of urban planning and in locating their expertise in relation to other professions of the city. The program welcomes university graduates with professional degrees and/or degrees in the social sciences and prepares them to occupy leading professional roles in the public, private and non-profit sectors.
Program Objectives
MUD
- Develop command of urban design tools and the ability to integrate them with policy strategies and institutional development, grounded in a multidisciplinary understanding of contemporary urban challenges.
- Prepare graduates for leadership positions in design and planning firms through a studio-based professional education that positions urban design within the broader ecosystem of city-focused professions.
MUPP
- Develop multidisciplinary analytical competencies and practical expertise to address contemporary urbanization challenges through the tools, approaches, and practices of urban planning and policymaking.
- Prepare graduates for leadership roles in the public, private, and non-profit sectors by enabling them to define and position a specialized area of expertise within the broader field of urban planning and in relation to other city-focused professions.
Program Learning Outcomes
MUD
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PLO1: Command of Core Principles in the Fields of Urban Planning and Design: Demonstrate advanced knowledge of core concepts, values, tools, and theories in city and regional planning and urban design and the ability to apply the knowledge critically to analyze urban and regional transformations.
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PLO2 (Research Track): Research Methods: Formulate a research problem grounded in real-world urban or regional design challenges, select and implement an appropriate research methodology, and apply qualitative and/or quantitative methods to collect, analyze, and interpret data that inform urban design interventions at multiple scales.
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PLO2 (Professional Track): Analytical and Technical Skills: Develop analytical abilities and proficiency with urban design methods and tools, including learning to collect and analyze data, utilize GIS and other spatial analysis techniques, and apply research methodologies to diagnose real-world urban problems rooted in specific institutional, cultural, social, and economic contexts.
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PLO3 (Research Track): Research to Practice: Translate qualitative and quantitative research findings into evidence-based policy proposals or project interventions to advance urban design interventions at multiple scales.
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PLO3 (Professional Track): Plan-Making and Policy Development: Develop the ability to prepare plans and designs, articulate urban policy responses for urban challenges, and integrate context-specific social, economic and ecological considerations in the formulation of these proposals.
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PLO4: Communication and Collaborative Skills: Demonstrate strong communication, teamwork, and engagement skills tailored to academic, professional, and public audiences.
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PLO5: Professionalism and Ethical Conduct: Demonstrate ethical reasoning and professional integrity in conducting research and engaging in design practice, including adherence to disciplinary norms, responsibilities to stakeholders, and sensitivity to social and environmental justice.
MUPP
-
PLO1: Command of Core Principles in the Fields of Urban and Regional Planning: Demonstrate advanced knowledge of core concepts, values, tools, and theories in city and regional planning and urban studies and the ability to apply the knowledge critically to analyze urban and regional transformations.
-
PLO2 (Research Track): Research Methods: Formulate a research problem grounded in real-world urban or regional planning challenges, select and implement an appropriate research methodology, and apply qualitative and/or quantitative methods to collect, analyze, and interpret data that inform planning or policy interventions.
-
PLO2 (Professional Track): Analytical and Technical Skills: Develop analytical abilities and proficiency with planning methods and tools, including learning to collect and analyze data, utilize GIS and other spatial analysis techniques, and apply research methodologies to diagnose real-world urban problems rooted in specific institutional, cultural, social, and economic contexts.
-
PLO3: Research to Practice (Research Track): Translate qualitative and quantitative research findings into evidence-based policy proposals or project interventions in the fields of urban planning and policy.
-
PLO3 (Professional Track): Plan-Making and Policy Development: Develop the ability to prepare plans for urban and regional developments, articulate urban policy responses for urban challenges, and integrate context-specific social, economic and ecological considerations in the formulation of these proposals.
-
PLO4: Communication and Collaborative Skills: Demonstrate strong communication, teamwork, and engagement skills tailored to academic, professional, and public audiences.
-
PLO5: Professionalism and Ethical Conduct: Demonstrate ethical reasoning and professional integrity in conducting research and engaging in planning or policy practice, including adherence to disciplinary norms, responsibilities to stakeholders, and sensitivity to social and environmental justice.
Admission Requirements
Applicants who meet all the AUB and MSFEA regulations governing admission to graduate study, including acceptable AUB Readiness for University Studies in English (refer to the Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE) in the Admissions section), and who hold the equivalent of an undergraduate degree in architecture, landscape architecture, environmental design, urban or regional planning, engineering, public health, economics, public administration, sociology, politics, anthropology or other social science degree, may be admitted to the master of urban planning and policy program as regular graduate students.
Applicants who meet all the AUB and MSFEA requirements governing admission to graduate study, including acceptable AUB Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE) (refer to the Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE) in the Admissions section), and who hold the equivalent of a professional bachelor of architecture or a bachelor of landscape architecture degree, may be admitted to the master of urban design program as graduate students.
The School of Architecture and Design may recommend waiving up to nine credits of course work for students who have completed a bachelor of architecture degree and are applying for admission to the master of urban planning and policy or the master of urban design programs.
The School of Architecture and Design may further recommend waiving up to six credits of coursework for students who have completed a bachelor of landscape architecture degree and are applying for admission to the master of urban planning and policy or the master of urban design programs. The School of Architecture and Design may also recommend waiving up to six credits of coursework for students who have completed a bachelor of engineering degree and are applying for admission to the master of urban planning and policy program.
Waiving of credits is subject to approval by the program coordinator, director, and the MSFEA Graduate Studies Committee. To apply, the students must have completed the advanced courses with a grade of at least B+ or equivalent.
Residency Requirements
The two graduate programs span over two years of full-time enrollment. For more information, refer to the General University Academic Information section of this catalogue.
Program Requirements
The MUPP program requires students to take a total of 30 credits of which 9 are to be taken in a sub-discipline of specialization where planning and policymaking skills are applied and at least 6 in applied studio format. The MUD track requires students to take a total of 33 credits of which at least 12 are to be taken in applied design studios. The two programs share a common core of 21 credits consisting of two core courses (Planning Theory and Policy, and Urbanism), Research Methods (or equivalent for students on the Professional Track), and one planning/design workshop. In addition, all students enrolled in the MUPP/MUD programs are required to register for the 0-credit “City Debates” seminar at least twice during their university enrollment.
Following their first term of enrollment, MUPP and MUD students will be admitted into research (thesis) or a professional (non-thesis) track. The track selection is made on the basis of the students’ interest in developing research or professional skills. Students enrolled in the research track develop a final thesis (6cr.), through which they advance the understanding of urban and regional planning and design practice. Students on the professional track take an additional advanced planning and design workshop or urban and landscape design studio (6cr.) where they expand their command of professional tools, including the write-up of a professional report.
Common Core MUPP/MUD
Core Courses
Common core courses: URPL 630 Research Methods, URPL 631 Introduction to Planning Theory and Policy, URPL 632 Urbanism, URPL 660 City Debates (to be registered twice), URPL 661 or URDS 601 Planning and Design Workshop.
Research Track
One of: URPL 663 or URDS 604 Urban Planning/Design Thesis
One of: URPL 662 or URDS 603 Comprehensive Exam
Professional Track
One of: URPL 661A or URDS 601A Advanced Planning Workshop/Urban and Landscape Design Studio
One of: URPL 662 or URDS 603 Comprehensive Exam
MUPP Courses
MUPP students are required to take three courses (9 credits) in a field of applied social science or engineering leading towards a concentration area such as urban policy, development studies, transportation, housing, or ecosystems management. Other options may be agreed upon with the MUPP/MUD academic adviser.
MUD Courses
MUD students are required to take one additional core course (URDS 632 Practices and Theories of Urban Design), one design studio (URDS 601) and one approved elective (Total of 12 credits).
Sample Study Program
The typical course load for the urban planning and policy and urban design programs is normally distributed over two years as shown below. Course distribution is subject to approval of the academic adviser.
|
Year
|
Term
|
MUPP
|
MUD
|
First
Year
| Fall Term | URPL 631 (3 cr.) Intro to Planning Theory
One Concentration Area Elective (3 cr.) | URPL 661 (6 cr.) Planning Workshop
URDS 632 (3 cr.) Practices and Theories of Urban Design |
| Spring Term | URPL 632 (3 cr.) Urbanism
URPL 630 (3 cr.) Research Methods
One Concentration Area Elective (3 cr.)
URPL 660 (0 cr.) City Debates
| URDS 601 (6 cr.) Urban and Landscape design Studio
URPL 630 (3 cr.) Research Methods or eq. if Professional Track
URPL 660 (0 cr.) City Debates |
Second
Year
| Fall Term | URPL 661 (6 cr.) Planning Workshop
One Concentration Area Elective (3 cr.)
URPL 662 (0 cr.) Comprehensive Exam if Research Track
| URPL 631 (3 cr.) Intro to Planning Theory
One Approved Elective (3 cr.)
URDS 603 (0 cr.) Comprehensive Exam if Research Track
|
| Spring Term | URPL 661A OR URPL
663 Advanced Planning Workshop OR Thesis (6 cr.)
URPL 662 (0 cr.) Comprehensive Exam if Professional Track
URPL 660 (0 cr.) City Debates | URDS 601A (6 cr.) OR URDS 604 (6 cr.) Advanced Urban and Landscape Design Studio OR Thesis
URPL 632 (3 cr.) Urbanism
URDS 603 (0 cr.) Comprehensive Exam if Professional Track
URPL 660 (0 cr.) City Debates
|
Course Descriptions
Mandatory Courses
Each of the following courses is required for MUPP/MUD students. Studio courses and thesis are restricted to MUPP/MUD students, while other courses are open to senior students in architecture, landscape architecture and related social science and professional disciplines.
Elective Courses
MUPP/MUD elective courses are open to graduates and senior undergraduates from all AUB departments.