Art and Design

Bachelor of Science in Urban Design and Development

The Bachelor of Science in Urban Design and Development is a degree programme that focuses on the design, planning and management of urban spaces and development projects. The programme is offered at the Technical University of Kenya, preparing graduates for careers in urban design, property development, city planning and built environment management.

The curriculum covers urban design theory, site planning, landscape design, building technology, development economics, planning law, GIS and remote sensing, housing development, urban regeneration, transportation planning, environmental planning, research methods and project management. Students develop competencies in urban design, site analysis and development planning.

Throughout the programme, students engage in lectures, design studio practicals, site visits to urban development projects, industrial attachment and research projects. The practical approach ensures graduates can prepare urban design proposals, conduct site analysis, manage development projects and apply planning regulations.

The programme emphasises the importance of quality urban design in creating liveable, sustainable and economically vibrant cities. Students learn about urban form, public space design, mixed-use development, transit-oriented development and the integration of social and environmental considerations into urban design.

Graduates are equipped to work in urban development authorities, real estate development firms, county planning departments, architectural and planning consultancies, non-governmental organisations and research institutions. They play a critical role in shaping the physical form and quality of urban environments.

Career opportunities exist in county planning departments, real estate development firms, urban development authorities, architectural consultancies, NGOs and research institutions. Graduates work as urban designers, development planners, project coordinators, design consultants and urban regeneration officers across the built environment sector.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 360,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Urban Design Theory
Site Planning
Landscape Design
Building Technology
Development Economics
Planning Law
GIS and Remote Sensing
Housing Development
Urban Regeneration
Transportation Planning

Modules

8 in the programme

Urban Design Theory and Principles
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of urban design, urban form theory and the evolution of urban design practice.
Site Planning and Landscape Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Site analysis, landscape design principles and site planning for urban development.
Building Technology and Construction
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Building construction methods, materials and technology for urban development projects.
GIS and Remote Sensing for Urban Design
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
GIS applications, remote sensing and spatial analysis for urban design and planning.
Development Economics and Planning Law
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Development economics, real estate finance and planning law frameworks in Kenya.
Housing Development and Urban Regeneration
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Housing policy, urban regeneration strategies and informal settlement upgrading.
Transportation and Environmental Planning
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Transport planning, environmental impact assessment and sustainable urban infrastructure.
Research Methods and Urban Design Project
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design and an urban design project applying design and planning principles.

Specialisations

Urban Design
Focus on public space design, urban form, streetscape design and neighbourhood planning. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Property Development
Specialisation in real estate development, project feasibility and property management. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Urban Regeneration
Focus on revitalising declining urban areas, renewal strategies and heritage conservation. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Sustainable Urban Development
Specialisation in green infrastructure, transit-oriented development and environmental sustainability in urban planning.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending urban design theory lectures, preparing site plans in the design studio, creating 3D models of urban spaces, visiting development sites, and analysing development feasibility using GIS and economic models.

The trade offs

In its favour

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.

Against it

Limited programme specialisation options may be available.
Competitive job market requiring practical experience and networking.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 73 art and design courses

Public288k to 360k

288k at Technical University of Kenya360k at University of Nairobi

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

TUK 288,000 KUCCPS. UoN Schedule II: Urban Planning 360K/yr. Private unverified.

Government scholarships cover up to 53% of tuition for needy students. HELB provides loans up to Ksh 60,000. JICA offers scholarships for planning and engineering students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)
Scholarship
Needy students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
JICA Scholarship
Scholarship
Planning and engineering students in partnership with Japanese institutions

Scholarships

3 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KCSE C+ (Plus) OR A Level with two principal passes; OR a relevant Diploma from a recognised institution; OR any other qualification recognised by the university senate and CUE.

How you are assessed

2 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at the Technical University of Kenya under the Department of Architecture, Design and Planning.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Graduate Trainee
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000
Entry-level position applying academic knowledge in a professional environment.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 65,000
Supporting research projects through data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Project Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 80,000
Coordinating and implementing projects in public, private, or NGO sectors.
Analyst
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 90,000
Analysing data, trends, and patterns to support decision-making.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as urban designers, development planners, project coordinators and urban regeneration officers in county governments, real estate firms, development authorities and consulting firms.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

AutoCAD
SoftwarePrimary
Design software for preparing urban design drawings, site plans and development proposals.
SketchUp
SoftwarePrimary
3D modelling tool for urban design visualisation and spatial planning.
QGIS
Software
Open-source GIS software for spatial analysis and site assessment.
Adobe Photoshop
Software
Image editing software for urban design presentations and visual renderings.
Microsoft Excel
Software
Spreadsheet for development feasibility analysis, cost estimation and project management.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Urban design is just about making cities look nice.
Urban design involves site planning, development economics, transportation, environmental planning and social considerations to create functional and sustainable urban spaces.
There are no career opportunities in urban design in Kenya.
Kenya's rapid urbanisation has created demand for urban designers in county governments, real estate firms, development authorities and consulting firms.
Urban design is the same as architecture.
Urban design operates at the scale of neighbourhoods and cities, focusing on public spaces and urban form, while architecture focuses on individual buildings.
Urban design only applies to new developments.
Urban design also covers urban regeneration, retrofitting existing areas and improving the quality of established neighbourhoods.