BENG URBAN PLANNING AND DESIGN
September 2025
Full time
Three or four years
Available
Suzhou
Design School
XJTLU undergraduate students earn two degrees: an XJTLU degree recognised by the Chinese Ministry of Education and a globally respected University of Liverpool degree.
Knowledge and skills
By the time you graduate from the BEng Urban Planning and Design, you will:
- acquire knowledge of the natural, economic, socio-economic and political factors that shape our surroundings and how the built and natural environment is managed in different places around the world;
- understand the role, scope and limitations of contemporary urban and regional planning in contributing to the management of growth and change, and the conservation of the built and natural environment;
- comprehend the legal basis for action in planning and the relationship between planning and environmental issues;
- gain an appreciation of decision-making processes that represent the views of the diverse communities who are affected by those decisions and how and when they can be effectively deployed;
- develop abilities to think critically, reason logically, undertake systematic research, work in teams and use techniques in computing, numeracy, design and various forms of communication.
This undergraduate programme equips students with the knowledge and creativity to shape sustainable, vibrant cities and regions. It blends technical skills with visionary thinking, preparing graduates to tackle the complexities of urban development in an ever-evolving world.
Qiantao Zhang
Programme director
Modules
*Programme modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. XJTLU students are advised to log in to the e-Bridge Portal to view the effectuated module structure.
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University offers a wide range of courses in the first year, including English for academic purposes (EAP), mathematics and physics, and humanities and social sciences. Click to learn more.
Core Modules
Issues and practice of planning in China I
Contemporary Planning Practice in Western Europe and the North America
Urban and Environmental Economics
Issues and practice of planning in China II
Planning in the UK
History and Purpose of Planning
Neighborhood Planning
Skills for Planning and Design Practices
Core Modules
Environmental sustainability
Rural Planning
Networks and cities
Geographic information systems
Projecting and managing urban futures
Planning and Research Methodology
Urban Design and Theory II
Urban Design and Theory I
Core Modules
Planning Law and Governance
Final Year Project and Dissertation
Planning and Property development
Spatial Project
Planning Practice Studio
Urban Design Studio
Optional Modules
International Planning Studies
International Field Class
Critical Debates in Contemporary Cities
Studying in XJTLU tops that all by giving a whole new level, as XJTLU combines Chinese perspective with that of International one.
Randy Rizala
Student, BEng Urban Planning and Design, Indonesi
Careers
There is currently a high demand for graduates of urban planning and design. Graduates will have many options and could become planners and/or designers in various fields including:
- policy making: developing legislation for the future of countries, cities and communities
- urban design: creating attractive, safe and pleasant places in which to live, work or visit
- property development: ensuring the right developments for the right places
- transport planning: finding sustainable transport solutions
- environmental planning: tackling the effects of climate change
- urban regeneration: bringing life to places that need revitalisation
- urban conservation: helping to protect our natural and built heritage
- neighbourhood planning: engaging with people about how their communities are developed
- smart city: promoting future cities that incorporate the latest in new technologies.
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Overview
In the BEng Urban Planning and Design programme, you will study the planning and design of urban and rural landscapes in both local and international contexts. You will obtain knowledge and skills to analyse, critique and contribute to the shaping of the sustainable development agenda in China and around the world.
You will learn how to formulate strategic plans, design liveable cities and create public places. The programme will equip you to consider the social, economic and environmental needs of society and their interaction with the environments we inhabit and build. You will learn how to help companies and governments make difficult land use and development decisions while accounting for concerns like achieving climate resilience and enabling community engagement.
The programme has an international focus, preparing students to work in China or other countries by providing the critical planning and design skills necessary for their career success. Our programme features two specialisations: Urban Planning and Urban Design. Our graduates will have numerous opportunities to become planners and/or designers in various fields, including environmental planning, policy making, smart city development, and urban regeneration.
Why should I study Urban Planning and Design at XJTLU?