Master of Urban Development & Design (MUDD) is a multidisciplinary degree which links the study of urban design with the processes of urban development. Through the investigation of urban growth and change in a studio-based setting, you will understand the role of urban design in relation to the forces which shape the city.

In an intense three-semester program, MUDD integrates three fields of urban research:

• Spatial political economy – the manifestation in urban form of global patterns of capital formation, investment and disinvestment
• Urban design principles and paradigms – normative models of ‘good city form’ grounded in aesthetic, social and environmental concerns
• Urban design as public policy – the intersection of public policy, design principles, urban governance and the deal-making of the property sector in defence of the public realm.

Why Study a Master of Urban Development & Design?

You will develop theoretical grounding, practical experience and expert skills in city-making as a creative field. The MUDD Program combines design studios with advanced seminars, case study investigations and international workshops, connecting with fellow universities, city agencies and urban design professionals to deepen your understanding of the 21st century city.

Work on global urban design issues

You will gain a global perspective on urban design through the MUDD Program’s international design studio – a core requirement of the degree. In a two to three week workshop setting, you will collaborate with universities and/or planning agencies overseas on a critical urban project. The MUDD Program has conducted 40 international studios over the past 20 years – in cities which include Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hanoi, Djakarta, Delhi, Mumbai, Tokyo, Nagoya, Portland, New York, Venice, Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Budapest, Berlin, Hamburg, Buenos Aires, Valparaiso and Cape Town.

Engage with urban development and design in Sydney

You will engage with Sydney as part of the MUDD Program’s commitment to understanding our city as a continuing case study in urban development. Through advanced studios on issues such as waterfront development, urban infrastructure, urban consolidation, urban centres, urban conservation and neighbourhood design, the relative degree of transparency in the making of the Australian city provides deep grounding in urban development processes.

Be connected to a global network

Our network of MUDD graduates extends across the world from Australia to Asia, the Americas and Europe. This interactive network allows you to communicate and share the latest developments in our field.

Benefit from multidisciplinary learning

As a post-professional program, MUDD is based on multi-disciplinary learning, integrating knowledge and skills from Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Planning, Engineering, Urban Economics, Property Development and cultural studies.