Design for Development Architecture, Urban Planning and Heritage in the Global South (MDFD)
Design for Development Architecture, Urban Planning and Heritage in the Global South (MDFD)
The impact of globalization on cities and territories are creating enormous socio-spatial imbalances, environmental emergencies, and complex urban management problems, particularly in the Global South and in countries with emerging economies. Operating in these places requires the development of innovative professional skills specifically designed to address the challenges of inclusive and sustainable urban development
Managing Body
Poliedra – Centro di servizio e consulenza del Politecnico di Milano su pianificazione ambientale e territoriale
Via Colombo, 40 – 20133 Milano
www.poliedra.polimi.it/formazione
Contact
Poliedra – Ufficio Formazione
Tel.: +39 02 2399 2942 / +39 02 2399 2925 / +39 02 2399 2902
e-mail: formazione-poliedra@polimi.it
The impacts of globalisation on cities and regions are creating huge socio-spatial imbalances, environmental emergencies and complex urban management problems, particularly in the regions of the Global South and in countries with emerging economies. Operating in these places requires innovative professional skills to be expressly developed to be able to face the challenges of inclusive, sustainable urban development and seize the opportunities offered by transformations to improve physical and social contexts (“make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” – United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Goal 11).
The Master’s in Design for Development has been devised to meet these demands in the firm belief that the design disciplines can play a leading role in these new urbanisation processes. Indeed, there is ever growing demand from all sides for design experts capable of navigating the challenging contexts of the Global South by bringing skills and expertise that focus on the governability and quality of urban and regional development.
With this in mind, the programme of this First and Second Level Specialising Master’s Course sets out to train professionals with an international outlook capable of tackling the most difficult challenges posed by contemporary urban development with skill and creativity, based on an approach that blends research, design and innovation. These new professionals will be offered a broad overview of design at a variety of scales, in which architecture, planning and heritage protection are all aspects of the same approach to design which aims to develop effective strategies for defending and developing the regions in which they operate in environmental and social terms.
The course is held in English.
The total fee is € 10,500 which includes:
– Contribution for enrolment at Politecnico di Milano – € 500
– Master’s tuition fee – € 10,000
For information on scholarships and other financial aid, please contact formazione-poliedra@polimi.it .
The admission application must be presented by March 17th, 2026.
To apply for admission to the Master, follow the instructions available at www.polimi.it/en/education/specializing-masters-and-postgraduate-programmes/how-to-apply-to-specialising-masters-and-post-graduate-programmes.
The Master will start in June 2026.
More info at
www.designfordevelopment.polimi.it
www.poliedra.polimi.it/en/master-design_for_development