Urban design is a rewarding career if you're passionate about shaping the spaces we live in. It combines creativity, planning and problem-solving to design more liveable, sustainable cities. With growing urban populations, skilled designers are more in demand than ever. In Australia, the demand for urban and regional planners is growing, with an anticipated increase of 2,500 jobs by 2026.

At UTS Online, most design-related study options range from six months for a graduate certificate to two years for a full master’s, depending on your pace and study load.

A degree in urban design opens opportunities in city planning, transport design, environmental strategy, and consulting. Urban designers play a crucial role in creating functional and sustainable urban spaces. The demand for urban and regional planners in Australia is growing, with various positions available across the country.

Architecture focuses on designing individual buildings. Urban design looks at how buildings, streets, parks and transport all connect to shape the feel and function of entire spaces. Both shape how we live, but urban design zooms out to the bigger picture.

Urban designers typically earn between $75,000 and $110,000 a year, depending on experience, location and sector. Senior roles in government or consulting can earn even more.

Source: Seek, 2024

Absolutely. Urban design plays a huge role in sustainability, reducing emissions through smarter transport, green spaces, efficient housing and climate-adapted infrastructure.

You’ll need creative thinking, spatial awareness, problem-solving and digital design fluency. UTS Online courses build those skills while linking theory with real-world challenges.