02.565 Urban Psychology: From Behaviour to Urban Policy & Design

Cities are the most complex of all human inventions. While majority of the world’s population live in cities, we know comparatively little about how we influence and are influenced by cities. Urban psychology operates in an interdisciplinary context, exploring human perception, decision-making, and group behaviour. This course introduces its application to urban issues including health and well-being, sustainability, and resilience. Students will develop the analytical and practical skills to design psychology-informed behavioural interventions and to engage critically with the tools, including AI, that increasingly shape how cities are studied and changed.

Instructors: Dr Sarah Chan & Dr Shu Tian Ng
Time: Tuesday (2-5PM)
Venue: Think Tank 1 (1.308)

Week 1: Introduction to Urban Psychology I
Week 2: Introduction to Urban Psychology II: Social Psychology
Week 3: Introduction to Urban Psychology III: Environmental Psychology
Week 4: Introduction to Urban Psychology IV: Health Psychology
Week 5: Urban Psychology in Practice – Why?
Week 6: Urban Psychology in Practice – What?
Week 7: Recess week
Week 8: Urban Psychology in Practice – How?
Week 9: Urban Lab 1
Week 10: Urban Lab 2
Week 11: Group Research Project – In-class group consultation/field work
Week 12: Group Research Project – In-class group consultation/field work
Week 13: Group Research Project Presentation
Week 14: Reflections