General aim of the Urban Design Studio [BArch – level 3] is to develop individual awareness of the urban dimension of architecture, focusing on different topics, aspect and tools. The Studio experience reproduces – with some necessary simplifications and differences – the practices of a real urban regeneration process, and develops knowledge and understanding of the higher level of complexity typical of urban environments, in which sustainability is assumed as the cultural and operable scenario of the interplay of constrains and resources. The "project" is used as a means to investigate the difference between architecture at building and neighbourhood scale. Studio exercises will require students to engage and put in use their skills, knowledge, and interdisciplinary approach learnt in the previous years, in order to handle technical solutions into a complex decision-making process as urban design project is.
Studio exercises will focus as well the relationships between land use planning, design, and transportation planning at the local level. Students are expected to gain the awareness of the potential of transport design in shaping the urban environment by reorganizing the accessibility of locations.

The Studio aims to:
- investigate and recognize characters and peculiarities of places, with a specific attention to constrains, resources, strength, and weaknesses as the background of transformation processes.
- explore the scope of urban transformation impacts at different spatial scales and in different dimensions, from built forms to human perception.
- develop awareness of technical, ethical and cultural responsibilities connected with design in the decision process.
- further develop knowledge of typology, urban morphology, urban patterns, public space, local mobility, and capacities to link forms, functions and perceptions.
- improve analytical capabilities and communication skills to approach urban design issues and present solutions with graphics, models and appropriate language.

Since the Studio concludes the BArch programme, it is strongly recommended to students the successful completion of: Design Studios (Year 1 and 2); Urban Planning course (Year 2). Generally, to successfully attend the Urban Design Studio students should:
- handle analytical concepts functional to a general understanding of the built space;
- operate technical tools of urban analysis and design;
- know fundamentals of city history, urban economics, urban sociology and design culture;
- posses capabilities to: illustrate problems and ideas, provide design solution, write design brief, elaborate design strategy.

The Studio gives architecture students the opportunity to explore a site in Turin where a complex urban transformation is taking place from different project perspective (i.e. public decision-maker, commercial designer, professional consultant for local grass-root groups). The opportunity to discuss with real stakeholders will enable students' capability to apply techniques in analysis of and strategies for defining and developing a building programme and design proposition. Project-based learning provides an excellent opportunity to integrate and apply knowledge and skills to real situations. Field research and study visits are integral to the Studio, as well as other skills, such as self-organisation, initiative and independence, team-working, and of course creativity and presentation (particularly graphic and oral).

A range of teaching and learning methods will be adopted, with a focus on project-based learning and group work with iterative individual and group tutorials. Coursework takes a variety of forms, from short essays and reports to posters, oral presentations, and project demonstrations (sometimes to external professionals). There is a strong emphasis on continuous assessment and feedback on coursework.

The following list includes fundamental texts, most of which translated in many languages. Further readings will be recommended during the course. Materials that regard the selected site are mostly published in Italian. The teaching staff will provide essential translations that will be available online in the Studio's repository.
• De Bono, E. (1999). Six thinking hats.
• Gehl, J. (2011). Life between buildings: Using public space.
• Hall, T. (2007). Turning a town around. A proactive approach to Urban Design.
• Schiller, R. (2001). The Dynamics of Property Location.
• Schon, D.A. (1984). The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think In Action.
• Rowe, P.G. (1991). Design Thinking.
• West, M. (2012). Effective Teamwork.

The teaching staff will continuously assess students' coursework; students are encouraged to work effectively during the term and attend as many classes as possible.
Examinations, held as oral individual presentations of a personal Studio Portfolio, provide a comprehensive evaluation about the student’s works, carnets, and models. The evaluation focuses on the acquisition of critical, coherent and logically structured design skills.