Offered as part of the Better Bigger Cities Collaborative (BBCC) at NYU’s Schack Institute of Real Estate, this course is the first in a two-part sequence structuring the core applied learning experience of the BBCC Fellowship. Fellows work in Collaborative Groups to respond to a real-world urban challenge, aligned with a research theme selected by the BBCC Consortium Board.

Semester I focuses on problem identification, framing, and early concept development. Teams integrate spatial design, finance, and strategy to formulate bold, viable solutions. The course emphasizes interdisciplinary synthesis, peer collaboration, and feedback from leading experts across industry, academia, and the public sector. Work culminates in a mid-year concept review and sets the stage for full proposal development in Semester II.
Continuing Education Units (CEU) : 4

You'll walk away with

• The ability to identify and analyze critical urban challenges using interdisciplinary methods.
• A well-framed problem statement grounded in research and urban theory
• A concept-level spatial and financial strategy
• Experience collaborating within a multi-disciplinary professional team
• Constructive critique from leaders in design, finance, and policy
• Confidence presenting work in structured, high-level review settings