Contemporary urban design emerged as a discipline in response to changes to the city through the Modern movement in Architecture and Planning. Urban Design takes the responsibility of achieving wholeness of the built environment. This degree programme exposes the students to various theories and experiments that architects, planners, social and behavioral scientists apply within the broad historical, social and political contexts. The programme imparts knowledge and skills of design and intervention in the built urban environment at varying scales through a broad range of subjects, which form the basis to tackle urban design issues.

Bulk of the instruction and training in this urban design programme is offered through interactive design studios where the dynamics of growth and change in Indian cities are documented and design solutions are prepared. In this programme, inner city renewal as well as growth areas of contemporary cities receive equal attention in these studios.

Urban designers make significant contribution as members of multidisciplinary teams dealing with the formulation and implementation of urban development programmes and policies. A large number of employment opportunities exist for the students passing out with the urban design degree.