Master of Urban Design in Ann Arbor United States | University of Michigan Ann Arbor

The Master of Urban Design (M.U.D.) program welcomes candidates holding professional degrees in architecture, landscape architecture, or urban and regional planning. This program serves as a hub for innovative urban design exploration, examining urban environments through diverse scales of investigation. Studio projects encourage both analytical and conceptual design approaches, addressing topics like regional infrastructure, urban housing, public-private partnerships, municipal governance, ecological systems, smart city technologies, climate adaptation, community resilience, and public spaces. The studio-focused program features three core design studios that place creative problem-solving at the heart of urban change. These studios are supported by seminars covering urban economics, design methodologies, policy frameworks, and urban humanities. Building on Taubman College's Architecture and Urban Planning curricula, students can pursue specialized interests through cross-disciplinary courses university-wide. The M.U.D. includes domestic and international travel components, enabling direct engagement with the communities students will ultimately serve. Through fieldwork, participants sharpen critical analysis skills while developing cultural awareness and deeper understanding of local contexts and construction traditions.