Urbanism III - Theory

Course guarantor:

Irena Fialová

Lecturer:

Irena Fialová

Tutor:

Irena Fialová, Zdeňka Havlová

Supervisor:

Department of Urban Design

Synopsis:

Sustainable development is the governing paradigm of the 21st century. It has long been at the heart of debates on urban development. We are increasingly aware that providing a good quality of life is the right of even the most vulnerable social groups, as the environment directly affects their health and well-being. This paradigm shift requires a more holistic approach to urban development. The question remains: how can it be successfully implemented in practice? What urban theories can we draw upon to support and guide this development?

Requirements:

Students are required to register for the course in both the CTU KOS and the Moodle system under the name of the course. Moodle is used by the teacher for communication and organisation of the course. Email is used for personal information, assessment and consultation requests. Attendance at a minimum of 60% of lectures and seminars is mandatory.

Syllabus of lectures:

In the lectures, students will acquire a theoretical background to urban design that they can work with, whether in the following seminar work or in professional life. The aim of the course is to teach students to think critically in context and connect theoretical knowledge of urban design with concrete case studies and practical skills. See Moodle and the course syllabus for details.

Syllabus of tutorials:

The seminars combine the theoretical lectures with theoretical texts and a semester research topic, with an emphasis on linking individual and team work. Part of the course and student assessment is self-study of theoretical texts, active preparation of assignments, involvement in discussed topics and preparation of a seminar paper. See Moodle and the course syllabus for details.

Study Objective:

Students will acquire a solid theoretical background to further work with, whether in their design studio work or in professional life. At the end of the course, they should be able to:

identify and explain major urban theories of the 20th and 21st centuries; compare different approaches to urban design and urban development; critically analyse theoretical texts; apply theoretical concepts to specific European cities or urban projects; evaluate the relevance of different theories for contemporary urban design; communicate an argument clearly in written and oral form.

Study materials:

Via Moodle, students are given the syllabus, block topics, assignments, instructions and a list of recommended texts. These are intended as preparation for the corresponding lecture and seminar discussion.

Note:

The research topic for WS 2026-27:

THE 21st CENTURY CITY

The course consists of five 4-hour teaching blocks held every other Wednesday afternoon during the winter semester. It is usually attended by English programme Masters degree students and International Erasmus & Exchange students of the A+U and LA programmes. Czech programme students are welcome!

Further information:

https://moodle-vyuka.cvut.cz/course/view.php?id=16456

Time-table for winter semester 2026/2027:

	06:00–08:0008:00–10:0010:00–12:0012:00–14:0014:00–16:0016:00–18:0018:00–20:0020:00–22:0022:00–24:00
Mon
Tue
Wed	roomT9:112 Fialová I. 12:30–14:00 EVEN WEEK (lecture parallel1) Dejvice roomT9:112 14:15–15:45 EVEN WEEK (lecture parallel1 parallel nr.101) Dejvice
Thu
Fri

Time-table for summer semester 2026/2027:

Time-table is not available yet

The course is a part of the following study plans:

• Architecture and Urbanism, in English (elective course)
• Landscape Architecture, in English (elective course)
• Architecture and Urbanism 2026, in English (elective course)