Using data-driven studies to gather insights into the dynamics of everyday urban life, we adopt integrated approaches towards improving our current and future urban environments.
Introduction
As the world is becoming increasingly aware of the fragility of our ecosystems, human and planetary health, there is a renewed urgency to explore urban design solutions that incorporate principles of social and environmental sustainability, as well as the capacity to adapt to societal changes.
The MSUD programme aims to address these challenges through rigorous research and design projects, focusing on the economic, cultural and regulatory processes that shape cities and the human interactions and experiences that constitute urban life. The courses engage with theoretical and scientific literature, international and regional case studies, and new advanced methods for the analysis, simulation and visualisation of urban areas. The teaching staff comprises academic and practical experts with extensive experience in urban research and project development, collaborating with local stakeholders and government.
The 17-month programme features a connected studio approach, using research and design scenarios to explore strategies for Hong Kong’s urban regeneration and development. Using international case studies, field research and speculative urban design proposals, we will reflect on the challenges of planning new urban neighbourhoods for a healthy and sustainable future, while incorporating opportunities for community-led initiatives, entrepreneurialism and the improvement of social capital. Using data-driven studies to gather insights into the dynamics of everyday urban life, we adopt integrated approaches towards improving our current and future urban environments.
The internship programme is offered in the summer term to complement the course work. It allows students to gain experience in leading urban design firms in Hong Kong and link their academic research to issues with relevance in professional practice. The paid internships are non-credit bearing.
Companies List 2026
Aecom
Architecture Commons
ARUP
Baptist Oi Kwan (NGO)
CUHK Liquid Territories Lab
CUHK Liveable Cities Lab
Development of Community Engagement Method Framework
Grassroots Alliance (NGO)
Land+Civilization Compositions (L+CC)
Marigot Living (Social Enterprise)
One Bite Design Group
The Oval Partnership Limited
THEO TEXTURE (Architecture Design Firm)
An international urban design workshop will be held in different locations around the world. The workshop will be organised with one of our international partner programmes, offering an opportunity to work with additional teachers from renowned institutions.
Associate Professor
For questions relating to the admissions process, please contact
Email: msud@arch.cuhk.edu.hk
Phone: +852 3943 1028
Fax: +852 3942 0982
Links to other Postgraduate Programmes