MUD students and faculty visited James Corner Field Operations Philadelphia Office. Their three design leaders Aaron Kelley, Megan Born and Zhong Zhao, as well as Jefferson’s MUD Program Director Dr. Peng Du delivered presentations on their recent work respectively during the visit.

Master of Urban Design - Future Cities
At a Glance
Program Experiences
November 2022: MUD Students & Faculty Visit Field Operations
September 2022: Two MUD Student Projects Recognized in Jefferson Celebration of Innovation
Two MUD student projects, “Philadelphia 2050” by Nithin Cheluva R.M and “Heat-Vulnerable Neighborhoods of Philadelphia” by Elizabeth May, were featured in the Jefferson Celebration of Innovation.
September 2022: MUD Studio Participates in Design Workshop with NBBJ & Buro Happold
MUD 2022 Fall Studio visited NBBJ New York Office for a workshop on smart cities, joined by industry leaders from NBBJ and Buro Happold. The visit was led by NBBJ Principle Phu Duong.
September 2022: MUD Studio Visits Project Site in New York City
MUD 2022 Fall Studio conducted a site visit in New York City. The studio is focused on smart cities and urban resiliency, taught by professors Misa Chen and Aaron King.
May 2022: MUD Program Director Dr. Peng Du Participates in the ACSA Conference
MUD Program Director Dr. Peng Du was invited to moderate a research session on Sustainable Resilient Strategies in the ACSA 110th Annual Conference.
April 2022: MUD Students & Faculty Visit KSS Architects Philadelphia Office
MUD students and faculty visited KSS Architects' Philadelphia Office. The visit was led by KSS partners Edmund Klimek, Scot Murdoch and Mayva Donnon.
March 2022: MUD & MS Geodesign Students Present at AIA Philadelphia
MUD student Elizabeth May and MS Geodesign student Victoria Martine gave a presentation titled “Urban Heat Island / A Case Study into the Heat Vulnerable Neighborhoods of Philadelphia” at AIA Philadelphia.
February 2022: MUD Studio Visits the Project Site in Wilmington Waterfront
MUD 2022 Spring Studio conducted a site visit in Wilmington Waterfront, and also engaged with the local community. The studio is focused on urban resiliency and ecology, taught by professors Misa Chen and Christopher Feinman.
2021
MUD Program Director Dr. Peng Du Interviewed by Grid Magazine
MUD Program Director Dr. Peng Du was recently interviewed with Grid Magazine on sustainable tall buildings and future cities.
MUD Students and Faculty Visit OLIN Philadelphia Office
MUD students and faculty visited OLIN’s new office in Downtown Philadelphia. The visit was led by OLIN’s landscaper architect Yadan Luo.
At Jefferson, our College of Architecture and the Built Environment stands as a beacon of academic excellence, housing over 650 students across 15 undergraduate, graduate and PhD programs. Nestled on our picturesque East Falls Campus in Philadelphia, our institution fosters a dynamic atmosphere where creativity, talent and innovation thrive. Our maker spaces and active learning environments serve as a unique hub, enabling our students to embark on their professional journeys with unparalleled support.
I am proud to report that our commitment to forward-thinking education has resulted in numerous accolades, with both our students and faculty consistently securing regional, national and international awards. Recent successes include victories in prestigious design competitions such as:
- IIDA Awards
- John Stewardson Memorial Fellowship in Architecture
- Jacobs Design Competition
- HOK Futures Design Challenge
These achievements underscore our dedication to nurturing talent and fostering excellence in the fields of architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, construction management, sustainable design, historic preservation, urban design and real estate development.
Jefferson is a top-ranked National Research University, and hosts extensive pioneering research institutes, centers and labs. These facilities enable collaboration among faculty, students and researchers to tackle urgent issues like climate change and social justice. Undergraduate, graduate and PhD students work closely with expert faculty on interdisciplinary projects, enriching their education and making a real impact on communities. Centers like the Institute for Smart & Healthy Cities, Malawi Health & Design Collaborative and Lab for Urban & Social Innovation focus on creating healthier, more livable cities and buildings to address the unique challenges our communities face.
Over the past 35 years, we have built a strong tradition and reputation for leading-edge architecture and design education. This legacy is set to flourish as we expand our educational ecosystem, providing students with global opportunities through industry engagement, study abroad programs and internships. Our innovative teaching methods and personalized learning experiences empower students with unprecedented possibilities for success.
Thank you for your interest in Jefferson. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to collaborate, inspire and innovate together in the pursuit of academic excellence.
Warm regards,
Barbara Klinkhammer, RA (DEU), Dipl.-Ing.
Dean, College of Architecture & the Built Environment