By Julius Goldthorpe
A unique MSc course, which considers the effect urbanisation has on carbon emissions, is set to launch at University College London (UCL) this year, says Professor Yvonne Rydin. It will provide much needed urban planning professionals to a field that is in critically short supply.
The course, which is in Sustainable Urbanism, will tackle the development of urban areas in a bid to reduce the detrimental effects rapid urbanisation has on the climate.
A statement from the Bartlett School of Planning, at UCL, said “it will provide students with both the skills to conceptualise a sustainable city and those to design one.” Prof Rydin considers the practice of sustainable development an “essential” aspect in the fight against climate change”.
“50 per cent of carbon emissions are associated with buildings, and that excludes the travel side,” said Prof Rydin. She believes the “design and location of a building is extremely relevant to energy efficiency and it can also increase the use of public transport, cycling and walking.”
The MSc, which starts in September 2010, is a full-time programme lasting 12 months and costs £6,540 (for EU students) and £16,120 (for non-EU students). Applications from a wide range of backgrounds will be considered, but applicants must have a minimum of a second-class degree.
However, with the current economic situation, will this course improve job prospects?
Prof Rydin believes mounting pressure to tackle climate change has driven the job market to request graduates with “green credentials”, which is what this course will provide. “The reason we are doing this masters is because there is a market for students after they have graduated.”
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