Urban Design Foundation Course 2025-2026

The Urban Design Foundation Course (UDFC), brought to you by Design South East's Kent Design programme, a 5-part course taking place January - February 2026. It comprises of 3 online webinars, a study tour and culminates in an in-person, full-day urban design skills workshop. 

This year the course focuses on: Designing for Growth, Planning and placemaking in expanding settlements.

As urban areas expand to meet housing needs, this course provides practical tools to ensure growth enhances - rather than erodes - the built and natural identity of places.

The course aims to give attendees a good understanding of: 

• What is urban design and why it's important. 
• Design in the planning system. 
• Best practice approaches to masterplanning and development in expanding areas. 
• Practical urban design skills to use in your day job. 

This is an entry-level course, aimed at both local authority employees and private practioners, including: DM/ planning officers, planning policy officers, new design officers, early career architects and designers and developers.

We strongly encourage attendees to sign up for the full course, upon completion of which you will achieve a Foundation Certificate in Urban Design, endorsed by the Urban Design Group. However, individual events will also be available for booking.