UT 101, Section 1

Why is one city different from another, how did they get that way, and what is the vital difference played by design? This course cultivates an appreciation of one of humanity’s oldest and most recently ascendant technologies: the city. Aware of a long, diverse history and amid contemporary global urbanization, weekly case studies each raise a particular perspective on urbanism’s mix of economic, political, social, technological, and natural dynamics. Participatory exercises enrich vocabulary, visual narratives, spatial mental models, and reading strategies not only for texts but also of cities themselves. Why Cities? cultivates skills and understanding for opportunities ahead.