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Blekinge Institute of Technology
Department of Spatial Planning
Revision: 1
Reg.no: BTH-4.1.14-0186-2026
Course syllabus
Urban Modelling and Digital Tools
Urban Modelling and Digital Tools
7.5 credits (7,5 högskolepoäng)
Course code: FM2638
Main field of study: Spatial Planning
Disciplinary domain: Technology
Education level: Second-cycle
Specialization: A1N - Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Language of instruction: English
Applies from: 2026-02-24
Approved: 2026-02-24
1. Descision
This course is established by Dean 2025-07-07. The course syllabus is approved by Head of Department of Spatial Planning 2026-02-24 and applies from 2026-02-24.
2. Entry requirements
Admission to the course requires Bachelor’s degree in spatial planning, architecture, landscape architecture, architecture and visualization or equivalent, including 30 credits in planning and 30 credits in urban design. English 6.
3. Objective and content
3.1 Objective
The course aims to equip students with a critical and practical understanding of digital tools for urban planning, introducing them to digital modeling, analysing, and visualising, and reflect on the possibilities, limitations, and ethical implications of digitalisation in both studio and research contexts.
3.2 Content
The course introduces a range of digital tools used in spatial planning and urban analysis and explores both the possibilities and limitations of contemporary software environments. The course combines practical exercises with critical reflection on the role of digitalization in planning and research, with emphasis on data-driven approaches to explore urban systems, support evidence-based decision-making, and communicate planning outcomes effectively.
4. Learning outcomes
The following learning outcomes are examined in the course:
4.1. Knowledge and understanding
On completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Describe how digital tools can support critical and evidence-based approaches in the field of urban planning.
4.2. Competence and skills
On completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Apply selected digital tools to analyze and visualize spatial data for planning purposes.
4.3. Judgement and approach
On completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Critically assess the potential and limitations of digital tools in spatial planning.
- Reflect on ethical and communicative aspects of digital visualization and data use in urban planning.
5. Learning activities
Students engage in lectures, workshops and written assignments where they explore how digitalization shapes planning practice including its ethical and communicative aspects.
6. Assessment and grading
Modes of examinations of the course
| Code | Module | Credit | Grade |
| 2610 | Workshop | 3 credits | GU |
| 2620 | Written Assignment | 4.5 credits | AF |
The course will be graded A Excellent, B Very good, C Good, D Satisfactory, E Sufficient, FX Failed result, a little more work required, F Fail.
The examiner may carry out oral follow-up of written examinations.
The information before the start of the course states the assessment criteria and make explicit in which modes of examination that the learning outcomes are assessed.
An examiner can, after consulting the Disability Advisor at BTH, decide on a customized examination form for a student with a long-term disability to be provided with an examination equivalent to one given to a student who is not disabled.
7. Course evaluation
The course evaluation should be carried out in line with BTH:s course evaluation template and process.
8. Restrictions regarding degree
The course can form part of a degree but not together with another course the content of which completely or partly corresponds with the contents of this course.
9. Course literature and other materials of instruction
Argota Sánchez-Vaquerizo, J. (2025) Urban Digital Twins and metaverses towards city multiplicities: uniting or dividing urban experiences? Ethics Inf Technol 27(4), doi:10.1007/s10676-024-09812-3
Lin,Y., Geertman, S., Witte, P. & Pinto, N. (2025). Digital planning for sustainable urban future, Computers, Environment and Urban Systems, 122 (102334), doi: 10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2025.102334.
Additional course material will be provided.