MA Development and Regeneration

The Masters programme aims to provide students with the multidisciplinary skills needed to create socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements. It is a programme of architectural education with a uniquely global perspective. The course is concerned with the changing context of architecture and urban development in the West and in post-colonial countries, or the so-called ‘developing world’.

The MA in Post Development Studies consists of 180 credit points of postgraduate study. The following are core modules in the programme:

• Introduction to Post Development 4 credit points
• Participatory Design Option 4 credit points
• Urban Design Option 4 credit points
• Research Methods 12 credit points
• Post Development Theory 12 credit points
• Design Project A 24 credit points
• Research Project 36 credit points
• Design Project B 24 credit points.

To complete the Masters the student must undertake an additional research module worth 60 credit points, normally culminating in a dissertation or design project with supporting document.

The course provides a framework for learning that combines specialist theory and independent research with practical experience in project modules. The specialist theory gives students an overview of the major concepts, issues and debates in the fields of regeneration and development and compares and contrasts various approaches to urban development and architectural practice in the West as well as in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Topics of concern include:

• Housing and spontaneous settlements
• Low-cost construction
• Appropriate technology
• Socially and culturally sensitive design
• Climatically and environmentally responsive architecture
• Community participation Urban regeneration policy and practice
• The economics and politics of international development
• The voluntary sector and urban development.

Students undertake an independent research project supported by group tutorials and research methods seminars. Options are offered to complement specialist study. In addition to lectures and seminars, the course provides opportunities for students to learn from live development projects in different parts of the world.

To this end, the School has established links with a variety of development organisations both locally and internationally. Last year, for example, students worked on a live scheme in Britain - a participatory design project within a deprived community in Bradford. In the same year, the students also visited India to study the effects of rapid urbanisation upon 'urban villages' in New Delhi, meeting with representatives from governmental and non-governmental development agencies as well as local architects. This study trip helped to inform student design projects, which focused upon low cost housing and community architecture.

The course provides a useful set of skills that can be applied in community building initiatives, urban regeneration programmes or in development projects. It also provides opportunities for students to learn from live development projects in different parts of the world.

To this end, the School has established links with a variety of development organisations both locally and internationally.

The programme prepares graduates for a practical role working in national and international development agencies, community organisations, housing associations, local authorities and architectural practices, as well as research-based occupations or consultancy.

For information about fees, scholarships and bursaries please see our Fees & Funding pages.

Fees and Funding

Dr. Kathleen Watt
Telephone: +44 (0)1522 837171
enquiries@lincoln.ac.uk