ShareThis study-track collaborates with professionals and stakeholders outside of the university who are active in transforming the vision of sustainable development into concrete urban action in different local situations. During the different semesters, such partners represent distinct spheres of society, such as local communities and NGOs, local industry, housing companies, public authorities, UN-HABITAT, and research institutions. The courses explore and probe a variety of approaches, tools and techniques for understanding the complex conditions and interrelations of a given place, whether in developed or developing settings. Based on such professional practices, students then develop strategies and solutions that are particularly adapted to, and inspired by, the local situation.
After completing this study track, the student will have developed a systemic design competence through repeated training in very different situations and contexts. Although future working environments will vary significantly, the student will have acquired a generic competence to analyze different local situations in their broader contexts and synthesize these findings into relevant and effective strategies and solutions for sustainable urban development. The interaction with professionals and stakeholders provides the students with a network of potential future employers and clients.