Hi there - just joined the forum. I have a background in international affairs and public policy but have been personally interested in architecture and urban design for years. I'm currently a management consultant and have tangential experience in city planning (had clients in the transportation industry, worked with architecture firms to design an apprenticeship academy, etc.) and was wondering what y'all think about switching careers. If I'm interested in transitioning to a full-fledged urban design career, will I need to go back to school to attain a masters in urban design or city planning or something else? I've noticed that most individuals who are urban designers also have an architecture degree. I'm 33 so am probably a little late to the game but wanted to get your input on the type of degree I'll need (if required) and whether urban design is a career in which a late starter can still be 'successful'.
Very few people in urban design actually end up doing urban designing. Most end up in city planning department reviewing zoning application, site plan amendments, and whatnot. If you think you'll be waving your arms around, moving large urban building blocks, and carving out transit solutions... think again. Not to say it's not possible but, the scope of urban designer is rather limited to policy enforcement.
On the other side, plenty of architects offer urban design as a service thou, so there is an path to check-out. A Master's degree is most certainly a minimum qualification in addition to basic drafting, modeling, professional backgrounds.
I'd amend the first line above to "Very few people in urban planning actually end up" in urban design. That's true. A (3+ year) master's degree in an architecture program offering UD-focused studios and other course work would be the best path. Seek out architecture firms specializing in UD, as mentioned above, starting as an intern. This is definitely a multi-year effort, as any big career change would be.
Thank you so much for the advice! Is there any way I can leverage my MA in public policy towards urban design, in lieu of getting a second MA, for example? I suppose if urban design is primarily policy enforcement...
Urban design is not policy enforcement; it is design, compliant with (or proposing changes to) public policy (zoning).
Most people wanting to practice urban design need and get an architecture degree (or two). A lower percentage of urban designers get there via planning education, which is generally a more circuitous path.
If you want to pursue urban planning, then an MA in public policy could go a long way.
What's the difference between UD and UP? Huge topic, and many useful threads can be found here via the search field.
Urban design career with no academic background in design
Hi there - just joined the forum. I have a background in international affairs and public policy but have been personally interested in architecture and urban design for years. I'm currently a management consultant and have tangential experience in city planning (had clients in the transportation industry, worked with architecture firms to design an apprenticeship academy, etc.) and was wondering what y'all think about switching careers. If I'm interested in transitioning to a full-fledged urban design career, will I need to go back to school to attain a masters in urban design or city planning or something else? I've noticed that most individuals who are urban designers also have an architecture degree. I'm 33 so am probably a little late to the game but wanted to get your input on the type of degree I'll need (if required) and whether urban design is a career in which a late starter can still be 'successful'.
Thank you for any advice!
Karen
Very few people in urban design actually end up doing urban designing. Most end up in city planning department reviewing zoning application, site plan amendments, and whatnot. If you think you'll be waving your arms around, moving large urban building blocks, and carving out transit solutions... think again. Not to say it's not possible but, the scope of urban designer is rather limited to policy enforcement.
On the other side, plenty of architects offer urban design as a service thou, so there is an path to check-out. A Master's degree is most certainly a minimum qualification in addition to basic drafting, modeling, professional backgrounds.
I'd amend the first line above to "Very few people in urban planning actually end up" in urban design. That's true. A (3+ year) master's degree in an architecture program offering UD-focused studios and other course work would be the best path. Seek out architecture firms specializing in UD, as mentioned above, starting as an intern. This is definitely a multi-year effort, as any big career change would be.
Be prepared for a huge pay cut.
And that's after the school costs plus no salary during school... very important factor for anyone considering a career change, this or any.
Thank you so much for the advice! Is there any way I can leverage my MA in public policy towards urban design, in lieu of getting a second MA, for example? I suppose if urban design is primarily policy enforcement...
Urban design is not policy enforcement; it is design, compliant with (or proposing changes to) public policy (zoning).
Most people wanting to practice urban design need and get an architecture degree (or two). A lower percentage of urban designers get there via planning education, which is generally a more circuitous path.
If you want to pursue urban planning, then an MA in public policy could go a long way.
What's the difference between UD and UP? Huge topic, and many useful threads can be found here via the search field.
citizen's comments are spot-on.
randomised is also correct.
Ignore the first paragraph of Non Sequitur's comment; as citizen pointed out, NS is confusing Urban Planning with Urban Design.
Yeah, just re-read my post... not sure where my head was at.
A bottle of NyQuil does that to me every single time.
thank you!!
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