Classes begin officially this Monday but I am currently attending some crash courses, Intro to Python & Houdini. Hopefully, I will find some time to commit to learning Houdini. I might need it very soon.

I miss design and I am seriously considering some ways to remain in touch, maybe via competitions, one each semester… ‘time’ will tell.

Below is a selection of modules for this first semester. They are all generally related to my proposed topic (will be available soon). I have also considered some modules from the dreaded Faculty of Computing (bad experience with one module there during my undergraduate years). But most of them, at level 5, have quite high prerequisites plus warning words from the lecturers themselves. Maybe next semester, if I feel brave enough.

UD5628 Sustainable Urban Design & Development
The module engages the contemporary issues of urban ecology and its articulation to design and development in urban settings. The new commitment of the co-habitation of nature and built environment has drawn attentions of the architects urban designers and environmental professionals. The discourses of urban sustainability have to move away from social sufficiency, ecological efficiency to ecosystem compatibility by linking the forms and flows of urban, industrial and natural systems. The new challenges of urban ecological issue require design and environmental professionals to deal with how urban and environment spaces could be analyzed, designed, managed, evaluated, represented and changed for responding to the cutting-edge sustainable issues. Divided by two main categories, Spatial Typologies and Ecological Flow. The sessions of lecture covers the trends and issues of sustainable urban design and development. The sessions conclude with discussion of representational dimension of urban and environmental design that is essential to the professional practices ecologically sound urban and environmental design.

BS5403 Computational Design Support
This module introduces computational methods in building performance modeling which covers the theoretical foundations of modeling and representation and the relationship with building design. The module also introduces the application of advanced computational building simulation tools. It will be based on 100% continuous assessment.

PP5238: Urban Development and Policy
This course examines the development of urban areas and the public policies that lead to rational and effective urban structures and institutions. The course begins with an examination of the theories and principles that explain the existence of regions and cities. These principles will then be used to establish criteria for evaluating urban policies and to look at several urban problems. Substantive areas which will be explored in the course include land use, housing, transportation, economic development, the environment, urban public finance, and intergovernmental organisations/institutions.