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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Urban Design 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
98987  Master of Urban Design 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to facilitate better inter-disciplinary cooperation within the three dimensional design of the overlapping and in-between spaces of towns and cities where Architects, Landscape Architects and associated professions such as planning and transport engineering have a common interest. More specifically, it enhances the capacity of Architects and Landscape Architects to engage and work at larger scales rather than at the single erf/site. It is a critically important skill, given the disjointed nature of our cities and towns.

Urban design has risen to prominence in many countries through greater environmental concern. It is important that access be enhanced through a shorter, one-year qualification which in this context cannot be divorced from socio-economic factors.
Upon qualifying the learner will be able to:
  • Combine visual and verbal techniques in advancing the idea of integrated urban design at a precinct scale.
  • Conduct independent research and engage in analysis and synthesis of an urban design problem through the formulation and presentation of a research project.
  • Develop strategic urban design intervention at a sub-regional to local scale.

    Rationale:
    Urban design is a discipline rather than a narrowly defined scientific field of study. It straddles the divide between Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Planning. This field of study is internationally recognised and extends the aims of urban planning to include the more aesthetic aspects of human habitation as well as those of sustainability. The qualification is aligned with similar qualifications of universities in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth Countries such as Australia. The growth in the number of urban design schools reflects the increased demand for urban design expertise in the wake of greater environmental concern and changes within the planning arena. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    For the purpose of admission into the qualificationlearners willbe assessed as per the institution's RPL Policy and Procedures.

    The RPL admission route requires that learners submit a portfolio of evidence of the knowledge and skills achieved through non-academic means. The information will be assessed in accordance with the receiving faculty's rules and regulations. Learners who meet the criteria will be allowed to proceed towards registration.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entrance requirement is:
  • A Bachelor Honours Degree in Architecture or Landscape Architecture, Level 8.
    Or
  • A Postgraduate Diploma in Architecture or Landscape Architecture, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 9, totalling 184 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Urban Design Representation, 12 Credits.
  • Planning Theory and Practice, 12 Credits.
  • Theory of Urban Design 1, 12 Credits.
  • Urban Design Studio, 48 Credits.
  • Research Methods for Urban Design, 20 Credits.
  • Urban Design Theory 2, 20 Credits.
  • Urban Design Research Project, 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of historical and contemporary concepts of urban space design.
    2. Use analytical and presentation skills (both manual/hand drawn and computer based) in the urban design studio.
    3. Engage with strategic urban design interventions at a sub-regional to local scale.
    4. Demonstrate integrated research and urban design skills. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The value of urban design is investigated by considering the performance at a local area/precinct scale.
  • An understanding of urban design, key moments in the history of urban design, the role of urban design relative to other professions of the built environment; the value of theory and conceptual frameworks; the value of morphological and typological analysis and the role of urban design in the global South is demonstrated.
  • A case study analysis (both international and local) is conducted to understand the role of urban design and the urban design practice is reflected upon.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • An understanding of the dynamic nature of graphic software evolution and the breadth of communication options available to designers is shown.
  • A combination of techniques are used to suit different design problems.
  • An understanding of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is demonstrated.
  • The potential of imaginative urban design is understood and appreciated to influence higher order decisions in a discursive and visually accessible and demonstrative manner through engagement in 'the art of the possible' (catalytic mode).
  • Existing contexts/situations are successfully analysed and mapped for the purpose of informing responsive urban design solutions at precinct scale.
  • Visual and verbal techniques are combined in advancing the idea of integrated urban design at precinct scale.
  • Urban design solutions that extend across space and time are communicated with other disciplines of the built environment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Sites are selected for simulated projects which then become the subject of focused urban design exercises.
  • Urban design intervention is considered at both a catalytic and responsive level.
  • Physical place making is considered in the context of social, political and economic constraints.
  • Review of strategies and ideas are continually refined and synthesised and strategies and ideas are presented in the studio.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • A problem statement, the design of the research, the methodologies to be adopted, sources to be consulted; interview strategies, a bibliography and the relation of the proposed research project to urban design discourse are developed.
  • Appropriate urban design theories via a literature review are identified and related to theory and topical themes within the current urban design discourse.
  • The relevance of theory is investigated and communicated via case study analysis.
  • A well-defined urban design issue or question is identified and addressed in the context of a selected site.
  • Design orientated research findings are evaluated and analysed according to explicit and well-defined criteria and a design response to the issue/question is defended.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment will be ongoing, whether the learner is engaged in studio work, course work or research. Assessment will evaluate a learner's ability to grasp a problem, to work creatively with constraints, to gather, analyse, synthesise, evaluate and interpret the necessary information, and to formulate, articulate, develop and represent a relevant and sophisticated response.

    Formative assessment focuses on the learner's ability to generate and develop ideas and possible solutions within the requirements and constraints posed by the problem under investigation. Formative assessment is viewed as a response to the learner's output with the possibility of further development upon critical reflection.

    Summative assessment focuses on the learner's response to the requirements and constraints posed by the problem and will take the form of a final examination of and oral presentation of the Urban Design Research Project at the end of the academic year. The qualification requires considerable fieldwork in the Cape Town area and in some cases field trips to other parts of the country will be arranged. Each project will culminate in the submission of a document and the oral presentation of project work. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification has been compared with the Master of Urban Design offered at the University of Western Australia. The qualification is designed to enable learners to develop in-depth understanding of urban design theories and issues, techniques of urban analysis and skills for the design and development of cities and urban places. Through their research by dissertation and/or design learners will be able to design and implement a process to resolve a complex urban problem.

    It also compares well with a Master of Arts in Urban Design offered at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. The qualification is aimed at a varied range of built environment professionals who want to use specialist knowledge, understanding and skills in the field of urban design in order to contribute towards an improvement in the quality of the built environment.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification compares very well with the two qualifications cited above. These qualifications, like this one, are studio-based and place more emphasis on independent learning. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers specific articulation opportunities with the following qualifications offered by the University of Cape Town.

    Horizontally:
  • Master of City and Regional Planning, Level 9 (ID 13855).
  • Master of City Planning and Urban Design, Level 9 (ID 14437).

    Vertically:
  • Doctor of Philosophy: Physical Planning and Construction, Level 10 (ID 4029).

    The qualification offers systemic articulation with the following qualifications offered by other institutions, provided the learner meets the minimum entry requirements:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Arts and Science: Planning, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Applied Arts in Design, Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. University of Cape Town 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.