As the opening unit of the course, this session introduces students to the overall topic, learning approach and key fields of urban planning and design addressed throughout the module. It highlights the neighbourhood as a central scale for understanding well-being, social resilience and sustainable urban transformation. Students explore why civic actors, citizen participation and social innovation are becoming increasingly important in shaping urban development, and how planning can support collaborative decision-making and community-based change. Through interactive workshops, discussions and reflection exercises, students are encouraged to move beyond passive knowledge reception and to develop skills in inquiry, critical evaluation, independent research and strategic design.
