Master of Urban Planning (MUP) Programme Handbook AY2023-24

Master of Urban Planning Programme HANDBOOK 2023

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Welcome to the National University of Singapore!

We are delighted that you have chosen to study urban planning in a leading global university that aspires to shape the future and yet firmly rooted in Asia and fully cognizant of its challenges and opportunities. Being a premier comprehensive university, academic resources abound.

As for our international students, we are heartened that you have chosen to study in Singapore, an intriguing city – one of the most densely populated city-state and yet highly ranked in terms of liveability and sustainability. Singapore is a laboratory of planning ideas and methods as well as a test bed of urban solutions and technologies, particularly for high-rise high-density environments.

There is no better time to study urban planning. Since 2010, more than half of the world’s population live in cities. Rapid urbanization brings with it daunting urban and environmental challenges. Besides general issues such as climate change, resource depletion, environmental degradation, food security and global health, many cities are confronted with urban problems like ageing population, congestion, technological disruptions and social inequity. The values, knowledge and skills you acquire in the MUP programme will prepare you to be a solution provider, to help make cities more sustainable, more just and more liveable.

During these unusual times, teaching and learning may require more effort and imagination. Some programmes and activities may be circumscribed yet other opportunities open up. Enjoy this learning journey. There will be challenges but the rewards are also plenty.

Assistant Professor Zdravko Trivic Director, MUP Programme & Assistant Professor Naomi Clara Hanakata Deputy Director, MUP Programme

31 July 2023

GENERAL STRUCTURE OF THE MASTER OF URBAN PLANNING PROGRAMME

CURRICULUM (see Appendix)

The programme can be completed in two years (four semesters) on a full-time basis. To qualify for the Master of Urban Planning degree, a candidate must successfully complete at least 80 Units 1 by taking core courses 2 and electives

CORE COURSES

Core courses include all planning studios as well as those that teach foundational knowledge in urban planning, such as research methods, urban economics and history. The planning studios occupy a central space in the core curriculum as this is where students are challenged to translate what they have learnt into spatial thinking and integrative problem-solving.

ELECTIVES

Students can select up to six electives from the graduate-level courses offered at the Department of Architecture, CDE, NUS. This allows students to pursue his/her interests and find a path towards future specialisation. The list of electives may change every year depending on availability. In sone instances, students can also take electives outside of DOA based on their interests and future plans, subject to approval from the programme directors

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The graduation requirement is 80 Units and with a Grade Point Average (GPA) 3 of at least 3.00. The 80 Units are attained by completing the following:

• Four Essential Courses (Studio Projects) comprising 28 Units;

• Seven Essential Courses (Non-Studio) comprising 28 Units; and

• Up to six Elective Courses, selected from the multidisciplinary basket of approved Courses, comprising 24 Units.

PERIOD OF CANDIDATURE

The MUP programme is designed to be completed in four semesters (two years) on a full-time basis. Full-time candidates must complete the requirements of the programme within a maximum candidature period of six semesters (three years).

1 ‘Unit’ in updated terminology refers to previous ‘Modular Credit (MC)’

2 ‘Course’ in updated terminology refers to previous ‘Module’.

3 ‘Grade Point Average (GPA)’ in updated terminology refers to previous ‘Cumulative Average Point (CAP)’.

CONTACT

PROGRAMME DIRECTOR

Assistant Professor Zdravko Trivic

Email – akizt@nus.edu.sg

Tel – (65) 6516 3567

PROGRAMME DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Assistant Professor Naomi Clara Hanakata

Email – hanakata@nus.edu.sg

TEACHING & ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT

Ms Charis Yeow Mun Kuen

Email – charis80@nus.edu.sg

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM LEAD

Ms Teh Yee Boon

Email – YEEBOON@nus.edu.sg

Tel – (65) 6601 5746

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE

College of Design and Engineering

National University of Singapore

4 Architecture Drive

SDE1 #03-01

Singapore 117 566

OUR TEACHING STAFF

Courses Instructors

Adj. Assoc. Prof John Achari (Coordinator)

DEP5101 Urban Analysis Studio (4 Units)

Mr Wilfred Loo

Mr Dzung Do Nguyen

Ms Karen Tham

DEP5101A Qualitative Methods for Urban Planning (4 Units) Dr Hana Alhadad

DEP5102 Urban Planning History and Theory (4 Units) Dr Yeo Su-Jan

Adj. Assoc. Prof Jeffrey Ho (Coordinator)

DEP5103 Urban and Regional Planning (8 Units)

Mr Djoko Prihanto

Dr Zhou Yuliang

DEP5104 Urban and Regional Economics (4 Units) Assoc. Prof Dr Fu Yuming

DEP5105 Urban Infrastructure & Mobility Systems (4 Units) Dr Zhou Yuliang

Assist. Prof Dr Filip Biljecki

Assist. Prof Dr Zdravko Trivic

DEP5107 Dissertation (8 Units)

DEP5108 MUP Internship Module (8 Units)

DEP5109 Integrated Planning Studio (8 Units)

Assoc. Prof Dr Cho Im Sik

Assoc. Prof Dr Fu Yuming (TBC)

Adj. Assoc. Prof John Achari

Adj. Assoc. Prof Jeffrey Ho (Coordinator)

Mr Djoko Prihanto (TBC)

Dr Zhou Yuliang

Adj. Assoc. Prof John Achari (Coordinator)

DEP5110 Urban Design and Planning (8 Units)

DEP5111 Planning Technologies (4 Units)

Mr Wilfred Loo

Mr Dzung Do Nguyen

Ms Karen Tham

Asst. Prof Dr Filip Biljecki

DEP5112 Planning Policy and Process (4 Units) Dr Malone Lee Lai Choo

DEP5113 Quantitative Methods for Urban Planning (4 Units) Asst. Prof Dr Chaewon Ahn

DEP5114 Advanced GIS for Urban Planning (4 Units)

TBC Community Data Lab (4 Units)

Mr Pablo Viejo

Asst. Prof Dr Chaewon Ahn

TBC Planning Urban Futures (4 Units) Dr Yeo Su-Jan

For more details, visit https://cde.nus.edu.sg/arch/staff/

PLANNING FOUNDATION AND SOFTWARE SKILLS WORKSHOP

The Planning Foundation and Software Skills Workshop provides training in the basic skills students need to start their journey in the Master of Urban Planning (MUP) programme. It focuses on software skills and planning terminology that are essential to conducting site analysis and preparing plans, 3D-models, graphics and presentations. Students will be able to apply what they have learnt directly in their planning studios.

Lessons will start in Week 0 where students will attend a series of mini lectures on planning principles. The software lessons will be woven into the first 6 weeks of the semester. A detailed schedule will be given separately.

CHOOSING ELECTIVES

In the course of the 2-year MUP programme, you may choose to enrol in up to six electives. This is an opportunity to specialize in areas that you think will be useful to your career, or simply to pursue an interest related to urban planning and development broadly conceived.

You should focus on choosing electives offered by the Department of Architecture (DOA), CDE Periodically, there might be spaces available in other courses offered outside the DOA that are relevant to urban planning. In such cases, we will keep you updated on the list of approved electives you can choose from.

Enrolling in electives in NUS is a multi-staged process where you will have several opportunities to register your interest together with the entire student population. Because the final selection is done by the instructor who teaches the class, enrolment is NOT automatically successful - even if the elective is offered by the Department of Architecture, and even if the elective has been approved by the Director. All course selection is done through NUSMOD. You will receive notifications from the university that let you know when you can start selecting your electives, and how to do it.

If you wish to enrol in a course outside the DOA, CDE that is not in the approved list of electives, you may wish to write to the instructor directly to seek advice and explain why you would like to take the class. You should also inform us as early as possible. In such cases, while we will try our best to support your choices, there is no guarantee that enrolment can be worked out and additional fees may have to be paid. Note also that all electives should be 5000 level courses (Graduate/Upper graduate).

INTERNSHIPS

The Internship course (DEP5108) can be taken by students during the long vacation between Years 1 and 2. It gives students the opportunity to experience professional life in Singapore as well as complement what has been taught in class. It may also open up opportunities for future formal employment.

Since 2020, internships may be conducted with overseas companies/organisations.

The Internship course counts for 8 Units. It takes the place of two electives in Semester 3. Students who wish to undertake this course should fulfil the following conditions:

1. Completed and passed Year 1 of the MUP.

2. The internship should take place for a minimum period of two months during the long vacation between Semester 2 and 3, and take up five full working days (about 40 hours) per week.

3. The student should submit the “Application for Internship Course (DEP 5108)” at least two weeks before the proposed start of the Internship.

4. The student is required to make one oral presentation to the supervisor during the period of the internship as well as submit a final report.

Some companies and government agencies that have accepted interns from the MUP programme include:

(in Singapore)

Surbana Jurong Pte Ltd

Cistri

AEDAS

CPG Consultants Pte Ltd

Housing and Development Board

Centre for Liveable Cities

WATG

Perennial Holdings

Urban Redevelopment Authority

(overseas)

Cushman & Wakefield (Shanghai)

Shanghai Tongji Urban Planning & Design Institute

Tokyo Development Learning Center (World Bank Group)

Urban Planning & Design Institute of Shenzhen

Tianhua Architecture, Planning and Engineering Pte Ltd

Please visit the MUP programme webpage to find out more about how to source and apply for an internship, as well as to download the form that you need to submit in order to enrol in the course. We will provide more details on internships at the start of Year 1 Sem 2.

THE DISSERTATION

In the final semester of your second year, you may opt to do a dissertation. The dissertation is a major piece of research work that culminates in a report of about 8000-10,000 words. It takes the place of two electives (8 Units).

Although you only enrol in the Dissertation course in Year 2 Sem 2, you should start thinking about your overall research topic and potential supervisor towards the end of Year 1 Sem 2 or, latest, by Year 2 Sem 1. There is a lot of preparation involved to doing a dissertation: from formulating the research question and scope, to reviewing the literature, to identifying an appropriate methodology to answer the question, to reflecting on the significance of the question and writing the report. You should already be working these out by the time you start the dissertation in Year 2 Sem 2. However, the long timeline and the invested effort may be rewarding, as this course enables you to explore in detail a research topic you might be particularly interested in. It may help you advance particular skills and achieve individual learning goals, and some dissertations in the past resulted in conference and journal papers. This course may be especially useful to students who contemplate on a research career, giving them an opportunity to dip their toes into academic research, and potentially resulting in a publication that may strengthen their applications to PhD programmes.

Assistant Professor Dr Filip Biljecki oversees the Dissertation course. If you are interested in doing a dissertation, you should speak with him early so that he can point you to the right direction. As the overall coordinator, Prof Biljecki’s role is not to supervise and read your dissertation (though he may serve also as a supervisor if the overall topic you have in mind aligns with his research interests and expertise). Confirmed list of supervisors in AY2023/24 include: Assist. Prof Dr Filip Biljecki, Assist. Prof Dr Zdravko Trivic, Assoc. Prof Dr Cho Im Sik, and Assoc. Prof Dr Fu Yuming (TBC). However, the list is subject to change, and you may also, with the help of Prof Biljecki, identify and speak with another professor (not in the list) to be the supervisor for your dissertation. The supervisor will work with you directly on defining the research topic further and mentoring you throughout the research process.

All dissertations will be assessed by two readers – your supervisor and a second faculty member who will be appointed by the Department.

Examples of past dissertation research:

 Dovolis, Christina. 2020. "The New Public Space is Virtual: Analyzing Decreases in Physical Urban Space & Rises in Virtual Interactions During COVID-19". Supervisor: Mr Jeffrey Ho.

 See, Boon Ping. 2020. "Overlapping Boundaries: Assessing the impact of inconsistent subnational boundaries on urban planning and identity in Singapore". Supervisor: Prof Johannes Widodo.

 Li, J., & Biljecki, F. 2019. The implementation of big data analysis in regulating online shortterm rental business: A case of Airbnb in Beijing. ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, IV-4/W9, 7986. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-IV-4-W9-79-2019

STUDIO AT SDE 4, Level 6

A key part of your learning experience in the MUP Programme will be forged in a studio environment. Depending on your background, this may or may not be familiar to you. In many ways, the studio simulates how physical planning is conducted in actual professional practice –collaborative, multi- disciplinary and deadline- driven. It can be intense and exciting, but it can also be bewildering and stressful. The purpose of the 6- week Planning Foundation and Software Skills Workshop is to acclimatise you to this mode of learning. Over the course of your two years with us, we also hope that the studio evolves to become a space where you can socialize, relax, and plan your future.

In general, keep to the space that is allocated to the MUP programme. Keep your space clean and maintain it in a manner that is productive and comfortable. If there is a need to expand into the space occupied by another graduate programme for an event, inform the programme director in advance and always return the space back immediately after use.

1. Security and Card access

The STUDIO is a secured building. All students and staff need to obtain a security card in order to access the premises. You will be informed on the procedures to obtain the security card.

2. TV screens

TV screens in studio space are shared between two MUP cohorts.

3. HVAC

The HVAC system at the STUDIO is centrally controlled. Air -conditioning switches off automatically at 6pm.

4. Location of STUDIO

Address: DOA Studio@Level 6, Architecture Building, SDE 4-06-01

5. Studio Space Layout: SDE4, Level 6

Further details on specific studio layout and groupings will be provided closer to the first studio session.

COMPUTER LAB AND SOFTWARE

1. The school has procured ArcGIS licenses for all MUP students. In the Planning Foundation and Software Skills workshop, you will be trained to use the more generic QGIS software. However, if you wish to pick up ArcGIS on your own, or if you intend to use it for studio or another course, you can download the license for your use.

2. In addition, the Department has three Computer Labs that are well-stocked with all kinds of software for architectural design, spatial data analytics, graphic design, and office management:

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Acrobat

Autodesk AutoCAD

Autodesk Revit

Autodesk CFD Ultimate

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Desktop

ArcGIS CityEngine

Rhino

Sketchup Pro

Google Chrome

MS Edge

MS Office

Google Earth Pro

Openstudio

QGIS

Climate Studio

Vray for Rhino

The Computer Labs are located at Digital Design Lab 1 (SDE 3-03-13), Digital Design Lab 2 (SDE 3-03-14) and Digital Design Lab 3 (SDE 3-03-15). You can use the labs at any time, though sometimes classes are conducted there and they would be partially or fully occupied.

THE LIBRARY AND THE CENTRE FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMMUNICATION

There is no university without a library. Every year, the university spends millions of dollars to purchase books, journals, databases, bibliometric services and other knowledge management tools, just so that you can have access to the latest and most comprehensive reservoir of knowledge during your time with us. You should make use of it.

The Library actively trains students on how to use its collections. You can review some of its student support sessions here:

https://nus.edu.sg/nuslibraries/services-help/learning-support

You should look seriously into some of the training sessions if you are thinking of doing a dissertation in your second year. Ms Winnifred Wong is the librarian who has domain expertise on urban planning, architecture and real estate research. If you have specific questions on a research topic, or need help with databases related to her domain expertise, you may wish to write to her at: winnifred@nus.edu.sg

The Centre for English Language Communication runs consultation sessions with any student who wishes to practice their writing and oral presentation skills. These sessions include one-to-one consultation on writing assignments and presentations, as well as group sessions on conversational English. There are many reasons for you to take advantage of these sessions: some of you might be shy when it comes to public speaking or making presentations, and some of you might need a little help transitioning to an English-medium environment. You will realize, in the course of this programme that good communication skills are not mere cosmetics – they are critical to effective learning and making persuasive planning proposals. You can find out more here:

https://www.nus.edu.sg/celc/writinghub/index.html

MENTAL HEALTH AND COUNSELLING

You should feel free to reach out to the Programme Directors or the Teaching Assistant if, at any time, you feel overwhelmed and depressed during your time with us in the MUP programme. Recognise in yourself and in others the early signs of mental distress:

• Sadness and tearfulness

• Signs of agitation, anger, aggression, nervousness, or fear

• Change in behaviours in school/at work

• Change in lifestyles and appearance

• The use of alcohol, cigarettes, and medication to cope

Critical Signs

• Disclosures of thoughts of suicide

• Self-harm behaviors or non-accidental injuries (e.g. scars, burns or cuts)

• Statements or behaviors indicating possible intention to harm self or others

• Expression of hopelessness

• Distorted sense of reality, incoherent or illogical speech

In addition, the university has a counselling centre where you can meet experts on stress-related and mental health issues. These sessions are confidential and free. You may walk-in (available only at Kent Ridge Campus), phone or email for an appointment:

 Phone: +65 6516 2376

Email: ucs@nus.edu.sg

KENT RIDGE CAMPUS (All Faculties and Schools) walk-in: 20 Lower Kent Ridge Road Level 2, Singapore 119060

 Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday: 8.30am - 5 30pm

Friday: 8.30am - 5.00pm (closed on Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays) Last walk-in appointments are available 30 minutes before closing.

OVERALL CURRICULUM

MUP (for Students Reading BSC Real Estate Concurrently - CDP)

Note: this applies for cohort AY2023/24 only.