Programme outline
Learning objectives
By the end of the course, participants will develop advanced analytical, design, and strategic competencies enabling them to address contemporary coastal and urban resilience challenges.
Specifically, participants can expect to achieve the following outcomes:
- Systems understanding of coastal dynamics – Strengthens technical literacy and systems thinking required for climate adaptation and coastal resilience initiatives.
- Translation of research into applied coastal protection strategies – Demonstrates knowledge transfer from research to applied solutions, supporting innovation and real-world implementation.
- Application of nature-based and hybrid infrastructure solutions – Aligns with sustainability, biodiversity enhancement, and climate adaptation objectives.
- Integration of coastal infrastructure with strategic master planning – Supports long-term planning capacity and cross-sector integration between infrastructure and urban development.
- Component-based architectural and infrastructural design capacity – Encourages innovation, efficiency, and future-proofing of built environment interventions.
- Design methodology for resilient urban environments – Builds advanced design capacity for resilience-focused planning and architecture.
- Professional and societal impact – Demonstrates broader impact, scalability, and relevance beyond the academic context.
Day 1
- General briefing at SUTD (1hr)
- Site visit – Water catchment area (10am – 12pm)
- Specific introduction to the project problem statement
- URA presentation on Long Island masterplan – Panel 1 (URA)
- Nature-based solutions – Coastal processes, sea‑level rise, storm surge, sediment dynamics (Singapore/Long Island context) – Panel 2
- Architectural landscape on coastal projects – Case studies: nature‑based coastal defenses – Panel 3
- Intro to the project brief (site: Long Island / defined stretch of coast)
- Review: Learning outcome and takeaway
Day 2
- Workshop data sources and methods (hydrology, coastal flood modelling basics)
- Master planning – Panel 4 (LKYCIC)
- Architect – Case studies: nature‑based coastal defenses – Panel 5
- Engineer with nature-based solutions – Panel 6
- Intro to GenAI & design tools for rapid concept generation (prompts, image synthesis, basic data-driven visuals)
- Demonstration of practical GenAI workflows for concept ideation and visual assets
- Studio time – Groups run GenAI ideation sessions and create concept boards
- Define phase, synthesize insights, refine problem statements and success criteria
Day 3
- Technical deep dive: principles of nature‑based solutions (mangrove, marsh, engineered dune, living shorelines), ecological co‑benefits, materials and maintenance
- Studio time – max 5 pax per team. There will be an assigned lead tutor for each team.
- Site visit orientation (safety briefing, data to collect)
- Review: Learning outcome and takeaway
Day 4
- Fab Lab / prototyping orientation and initial physical/digital prototyping
- Review: Learning outcome, takeaway and review
Day 5
- Preparation of final presentation: 10–15 minute group presentation + visuals, evidence
Assessment
- Assessment will be conducted through a group-based oral presentation, where participants demonstrate their understanding, analytical skills, and application of course concepts through the presentation of a project-based proposal.