Amsterdam, Netherlands

Placemaking: Sense, Space & Strategy

when 21 July 2024 - 8 August 2024
language English
duration 3 weeks
credits 6 EC
fee EUR 1750

This three-week programme will explore the web of relationships between people and place. This innovative and interdisciplinary course borrows from human geography, experimental- and environmental-psychology, history, and sociology to ask important questions about the urban environments in which we live. It also addresses the right to the city, and views urban environments as contested places of interaction and change.

Through a series of diverse morning lectures, participants will explore the theoretical implications of sensescapes: that urban space is perceived on the basis of the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch and taste), context, and memories, and that urban sensescapes might be contested, if threatened. In these lectures, we’ll delve into the effects that our sensory understanding of the city has on urban design, smart/techno cities, and circular cities. In the afternoon, we will use Amsterdam as our living laboratory and learn-by-doing, participating in urban gardening workshops, plastic fishing in the canals, sound- and smell-walks through diverse neighbourhoods, and engaging with the smart city with different community and business initiatives.

Course leader

Dr Thea Dukes, Dr. Iris van Huis and Javier Koole (MSc).

Target group

For current university students (Bachelors and Masters) in the arts and social sciences with an interest in placemaking and urban studies. For working professionals with a desire to continue their education in this field.

Course aim

The three-week programme will consist of (guest) lectures, workshops and excursions within and outside of Amsterdam. In a parallel ‘RapidLab’, students work in interdisciplinary groups developing a Placemaking strategy for a selected site.

Credits info

6 EC
Upon successful completion of the programme, students who wish to earn credits will receive an official transcript stating the courses taken, credits earned and grades obtained.

Fee info

EUR 1750: Tuition fee. Including lunch on class days, all course materials, a public transportation card, excursions and events.
EUR 850: Approximate housing fee for the duration of the course. Arranging housing through our office is optional.

Scholarships

There are several scholarship opportunities. Please check the course website for more information and scholarship deadlines.