International Architectural Regeneration and Development - 2012 entry

Course content

The course is offered at three levels: as a postgraduate certificate, a postgraduate diploma and a master's degree. Normally candidates enrol for the master's degree, but it is possible to enrol directly on the PGCert or PGDip, either on recommendation from the admissions tutor or as an exit point from the MA.

In total, 180 credits are required to complete the MA in International Architectural Regeneration and Development. These are divided into two parts: 120 credits must be successfully completed to qualify for the postgraduate diploma. During Semesters 1 and 2 all MA students take taught core modules amounting to 90 credits and choose options amounting to 30 credits. Research methods seminars and the dissertation itself account for a further 60 credits required to achieve the MA.

For the postgraduate certificate 60 credits are needed.

Core modules:

• Architecture, Culture and Tradition provides an introduction to the anthropology of architecture and the field of international vernacular architecture studies. Drawing upon examples of vernacular building traditions from around the world, it seeks to analyse the dynamic interaction between architecture, social structure, cultural behaviour and the natural environment.
• Applications in Regeneration is a lecture and seminar programme that introduces the principles that underlie sustainable regeneration and the key players involved in the process. The practice of regeneration ranging from small rural settlements to post-industrial areas is examined through cases studies considering heritage value and significance, adaptation of the built fabric, community participation and economic forces such as tourism.
• Globalisation, Environment and Development provides a critical examination of globalisation processes, global environmental problems and their relationship with the development process. Issues around global systems theory, industrialisation, trade, debt, aid, transport, communications, food, agriculture and the environment are reviewed.
• Regeneration and Development Project is a studio-based module that builds on the taught modules in developing strategic planning, contextual design and project management skills to solve problems in adapting and revitalising the inherited built environment. Through a project set in an international location, students are expected to develop culturally and socially sensitive, environmentally responsible and financially viable design interventions for historic urban quarters, post-industrial sites or rural/vernacular settlements.

Optional modules include:

• Vernacular Architecture, Sustainability and Development explores the inter-relation of cultural processes and building traditions, and examines how contemporary phenomena such as globalisation, tourism, resources depletion, conservation, population displacement and technology transfer have an impact on the nature and transmission of vernacular building traditions. Conversely, it discusses how vernacular knowledge may actively contribute to the development of sustainable built environments.
• Master Classes consists of master classes delivered by expert scholars providing opportunities for students to learn from, and engage in, intensive academic interaction with leading figures in the field through the intensive and detailed exploration of specific and current themes and problems. Recent subject shave ranged from contemporary approaches to field research, designing in context of a historic environment, designing with tradition and creative feasibility.
• Development and Urbanisation is concerned with the problems of development and of cities and inter-urban issues. It provides the theoretical and analytical base for the specialisation and introduces themes, policy issues and processes which will be further examined in more detail and in different contexts in other modules of the specialisation.
• Urban Design Theory is a lecture and seminar based module in which you are introduced to the theoretical concepts underpinning current urban design practice approaches. The module includes the history and theory of urban design, the introduction of design approaches such as responsive environments, and urban morphology. You are made aware of how urban form is produced and consumed and of the political and economic context of development.
• Sustainable Tourism Planning examines the growth, development and impact of tourism, introducing students to the broad issues affecting the planning and development of tourism as a base-line understanding of tourism planning and sustainable development. Core elements include a discussion on tourism impacts (economic, social and environmental), issues of sustainability, carrying capacity, 'eco-tourism' and other 'alternative forms' of tourism.
• Tourism Interpretation examines the role of interpretation and the interpretative process as a tool in managing the visitor experience in tourist places. The module explores the origins of interpretation, its application in different settings, moral and philosophical arguments, popular misunderstandings as well as the mechanics of interpretation, standards of presentation and design, and electronic media.
• Independent Study Candidates with research experience or with substantial practice and field experience may select a research or practice-oriented route to the MA through the Independent Study option. Independent study could include literature reviews in preparation for dissertation work, reflecting on the outcomes and successes of already implemented projects, or work in progress.

Other compulsory modules for the MA are:

• Research Methods encourages students to develop the skills needed in the research of environmental problems, including the formulation of research problems and methodology, data collection and analysis.
• Dissertation/Design Project is a dissertation or a major design project, supported by a project report, is a compulsory element of the MA programme. This component provides the opportunity to develop and apply research and design skills in a specific area of regeneration or development.

The course is international in focus and throughout the course references and visits to international contexts are made. A field trip is organised each year to look at international examples of regeneration or development projects. The international body of students on the course are encouraged to reflect on and present experiences from their countries.

NB As courses are reviewed regularly, the module list you choose from may vary from that shown here.

Faculty

Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment

Department

School of Architecture

Course length

Full-time: MA: 12 months, PGDip 6 months
Part-time: 24 months, PGDip: 18 months

Teaching location

Headington Campus, Gipsy Lane site

Start date

September 2012

UKPASS code

P034307

Entry requirements

The course attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds and nationalities. Applicants are welcome from any relevant academic discipline, as well as those in work and seeking continuing professional development.

Admission is normally open to those who:

• hold a good honours degree (2.1 or above) in a related discipline
• hold a recognised postgraduate diploma or professional qualification in a relevant subject
• are mature candidates, not satisfying either of the above conditions, who can demonstrate considerable practical experience in a related field.

Scholarships and funding

For general sources of financial support, see:

• funding for students from the UK and EU
• funding for students from outside the EU

Why Oxford is a great place to study International Architectural Regeneration and Development

As a student in Oxford you'll be at the heart of the UK's most successful economic region and in a centre for leading industries which provides you with a host of learning opportunities.

Because Oxford is one of the world's great academic cities, it is a key centre of debate, with conferences, seminars and forums taking place across education, science, the arts and many other subjects.

In addition to our own excellent libraries and resource centres, our postgraduate students have access to the world-renowned Bodleian Library, the Bodleian Law Library and the Radcliffe Science Library.

How Brookes supports postgraduate students

Supporting your learning

From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.

Personal support services

We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.

Departmental research highlights

The International Architectural Regeneration and Development programme is embedded in the Place, Culture and Identity research group in the School of Architecture. This group brings together staff from a number of disciplinary backgrounds to research the multitude of ways in which places embody local cultural identities.

Space and architecture are shaped by the culture and the identities of communities as much as those communities are shaped by their perception and use of space and architecture. Members of the Place, Culture and Identity group investigate this dynamic dialectical relationship from different disciplinary perspectives, including architecture, anthropology, urban conservation, political science and history. Focusing on different types of places in various parts of the world (including urban, rural, contemporary, historic, vernacular and post-conflict ones), they aim to gain a better theoretical understanding of both the nature of the process of place-making and the way it relates to aspects of culture, identity, aesthetics, memory, tradition, representation and architectural practice.

The group has a large number of PhD students associated with it, who take an active part in its research activities, including the organisation of seminars and conferences, and the preparation of publications and funding proposals. The IARD programme also acts as a preparation stage for the PhD programme, with a number of alumni having gone on to pursue their PhDs in the School. The research expertise of both staff and PhD students in the Place, Culture and Identity group feed directly into the IARD programme through lectures, seminars, master classes and design studio tutorials and reviews.

The University is proud to host the unique Paul Oliver Vernacular Architecture Library (POVAL) which provides a key resource for interdisciplinary, cross-cultural and comparative research. It promotes projects that extend the geographic, thematic and methodological scope of the field, emphasising the way in which vernacular traditions are of fundamental importance to the sustainable development of the world's built environment.

Research expertise

• Conservation, regeneration and sustainability of traditional settlements, vernacular and built in an international context
• Historic towns, tourism and heritage management
• Thermal comfort in vernacular architecture
• Design in a historic and/or vernacular context
• Interdisciplinary, cross-cultural and comparative study of vernacular architecture traditions worldwide
• Transmission of indigenous, traditional and vernacular skills, expertise and knowledge
• Rural regeneration and development
• Cultural geography and mapping of vernacular architecture traditions.