Course Overview
The Urban Design course at KENCID trains students to shape vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable urban environments. Located in Nairobi, this program bridges architecture, planning, and landscape design to teach how cities evolve and how to design livable public spaces, transportation systems, housing developments, and infrastructure. Students explore urban theory, site analysis, mapping, digital modeling, and policy frameworks while engaging in real-world projects that respond to Kenya’s urbanization challenges. With mentorship from expert instructors and access to design studios and GIS tools, learners develop strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills to reimagine urban spaces for growing communities across Kenya and beyond.
Why Study Urban Design
Studying Urban Design at KENCID equips you to play a transformative role in shaping Kenya’s future cities. You’ll gain interdisciplinary knowledge, hands-on experience, and strategic insight to create smarter, greener, and more resilient urban environments.
What You Will Explore
- Foundations and context Build a clear understanding of the principles, history, people, and places connected to the discipline.
- Drawing and documentation Communicate ideas with sketches, technical drawings, digital tools, models, and presentations.
- Materials and systems Explore the materials, technologies, processes, and constraints that shape a responsible outcome.
- Projects and practice Apply learning to briefs, critique, site awareness, teamwork, and a growing portfolio.
Career Options in Urban Design
Graduates of Urban Design at KENCID can work as urban designers, city planners, infrastructure consultants, transportation planners, or policy advisors. Opportunities exist in government agencies, urban planning firms, real estate development companies, NGOs, and international development organizations across Nairobi and East Africa.