Minors for the Bachelor of Urban Sustainability Studies

Cities and urbanisation are increasingly identified as both the cause and remedy of today’s major problems such as climate change, social inequality, and political conflict. The field of Urban Studies is gaining importance in the academic world and beyond as its interdisciplinary approach is key in both understanding and tackling current complex urban challenges. The minor programme "Cities and Urbanisation: Interdisciplinary Perspectives" is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of key concepts, approaches, and debates in the field of urban studies. Through a range of courses, students will explore various disciplines and perspectives to gain insight into the multidimensionality of cities and urbanisation processes.

Overall, this minor programme encourages students to critically reflect upon and discuss urban problems and potential solutions. By adopting an interdisciplinary perspective and considering various viewpoints, students develop a well-rounded understanding of cities and are better equipped to address the complex challenges of urbanization.

The minor ‘Design and perspectives on Heritage’ occurs in the fall semester and offers courses from several fields at the University of Antwerp, especially from the Faculty of Design Sciences. 

The minor encompasses courses that introduce spatial design and heritage skills to students from different fields of knowledge. Because these courses are deeply integrated into the tradition of the Faculty of Design Sciences, they promote synergy and an interdisciplinary approach to material culture, design, and people and their surroundings. The focus is on the quality of solutions and adopting sustainable approaches within a wider social context. By combining heritage and spatial design, this minor offers a unique opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary manner, critically discussing and creating spaces that not only serve functional purposes but also celebrate and preserve cultural identity, history, and traditions. 

The courses offered come mainly from Spatial Design disciplines, such as Architecture and Interior Architecture, which is taken in this minor as the main field of knowledge. These courses are complemented by courses from Heritage. The courses from spatial design include topics such as introduction to design and hands-on space composition, tools and techniques for the analysis of the built environment. Adding to these courses students can choose between other courses that introduce them to heritage studies.  Additionally, a set of courses with interdisciplinary approaches enables students to improve their skills in areas such as debate and visual communication.

The minor ‘Heritage and perspectives on Design’ occurs in the spring semester and offers courses from several fields at the University of Antwerp, especially from the Faculty of Design Sciences. 

The minor encompasses courses that introduce heritage and design skills to students from different fields of knowledge. Because these courses are deeply integrated into the tradition of the Faculty of Design Sciences, they promote synergy and an interdisciplinary approach to material culture, design, and people and their surroundings. The focus is on the quality of solutions and adopting sustainable approaches within a wider social context. By combining heritage and design, this minor offers a unique opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary manner, critically discussing and creating spaces that not only serve functional purposes but also celebrate and preserve cultural identity, history, and traditions. 

The courses offered come mainly from Heritage which is taken in this minor as the main field of knowledge. These courses are complemented by courses from Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Product Development. The courses from Heritage include courses on digital tools for the heritage sector and theoretical and methodological approach to social theory. Adding to these courses students can choose between other courses that introduce them to design and space composition, tools and techniques. A main asset in this minor is the Xplore Design Workshop, which stimulates crossing disciplinary boundaries and promotes radical pedagogical experiences. Additionally, a set of courses with interdisciplinary approaches enables students to improve their skills in areas such as justice and ecology.