All Things Urban

Cities and the lives of inhabitants are intrinsically connected: both give meaning to and form one another. As citizens and visitors of cities move through urban spaces, how are their actions and reactions molded by their encounters with the urban environment? How does the methodology of placemaking play a role in understanding the connections and tensions between people and space? This three-week interdisciplinary course unravels the practice, theory, policies and politics of placemaking, taking Amsterdam as a site for analysis and action. Placemaking is more than a method; it is a philosophy for the development and experience of cities, combining disciplines such as sociology, environmental psychology, (micro)political science, architecture and urban design. Situating placemaking in a mixed academic context, this course focuses on topics such as public space, community, diversity and 'the right to the city'. Gain new insights into the fundamental choices and challenges involved in shaping the city. See how policy and design intentions play out in various Amsterdam neighborhoods and communities. And finally, develop a practical skill set by proposing a placemaking strategy for a selected site. Last year, this programme will focus on newcomers' integration into the physical, social, and psychological fabric of the city. The three-week programme will consist of (guest) lectures, workshops and excursions within and outside of Amsterdam. In parallel ethnographic research sessions, students work in interdisciplinary groups researching and developing a placemaking strategy for a selected site/community. A core component of this programme are the research and development sessions, which will form the basis of the work for the final presentation in Amsterdam. Across the three weeks, students develop their practical skills involved in a placemaking process. From start to finish, these include research skills such as observation, mapping, interviewing, stakeholder analysis, and visual/tangible presentation methods related to the final project. The interdisciplinary groups spend various morning and afternoon sessions conducting interviews, researching, and developing their placemaking strategy both on and off site.

For current university students (Bachelors and Masters) in the arts and social sciences with an interest in placemaking and urban studies. For young professionals with a desire to continue their education in this field.

6 ECTS

A modern university with a rich history, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) traces its roots back to 1632, when the Golden Age school Athenaeum Illustre was established to train students in trade and philosophy. The UvA seeks to offer an inspiring international academic environment in which both staff and students can develop their talents optimally. Characterised by a critical, creative and international atmosphere, the UvA has a long tradition of open-mindedness and engagement with social issues, in keeping with the spirit of the city with which it is inextricably linked.

A scholarship is available, click "Register" to find out more.