2025
UDL Thesis Publication
Curating the best graduate thesis project globally!
About the Publication
The Urban Design Lab thesis publication provides a unique platform for post-graduate and under-graduate students to showcase their innovative design and research-based thesis projects related to urban design, landscape, architecture, and planning. The publication aims to promote global design and research trends, offering valuable insights for academic and professional communities while fostering innovation and creativity in the field.
Scope of the Publication
The scope of the publication encompasses a selection of outstanding under-graduate and post-graduate student thesis completed in the last five years, in conjunction with the urban domain. These exemplary thesis entries will be compiled into a dedicated book that serves as the official record of the seminar proceedings. The publication will be assigned an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) to facilitate easy reference and recognition globally.
Publication Themes
Urban renewal
This theme encompasses the conservation, revitalization, and heritage revival of urban areas.
Urban Landscapes
This theme focuses on the management of the natural and built environment in urban areas.
Urban Management
This theme emphasizes the physical, social, economic and infrastructure management of urban areas.
Urban Networks
This theme focuses on connectivity, linkages, transit and mobility within and between urban areas.
Urban renewal
- Conservation: preservation and protection of heritage buildings and districts
- Regeneration: renewal and redevelopment of underutilized or abandoned areas
- Revitalization: improvement and enhancement of existing urban areas
- Heritage Revival: revitalization of historic buildings and neighborhoods
Urban Landscapes
- Climate Resilience: designing urban areas to adapt to climate change and mitigate its impact
- Green-Blue Infrastructure: integrating natural and built elements to create sustainable urban environments
- Landscape Heritage: preserving and promoting the cultural and natural heritage of urban areas
- Landscape Health and Well-being: designing urban areas that promote physical and mental well-being of its residents
- Sustainable Urbanism: creating environmentally sustainable urban areas
- Recreation and Leisure: designing urban areas for recreational and leisure activities
Urban Management
- Infrastructure management: addressing infrastructure, services and housing shortages through design-based solutions.
- Social and Community Management: promoting social cohesion and community development.
- Urban Conflict Management: managing conflicts that arise in urban areas
- Urban Risk Management: managing risks and hazards in urban areas
- Tourism Management: managing tourism and its impact on urban areas
- Inclusive Urbanism: creating inclusive urban areas that are accessible to all
Urban Networks
- Mobility and Accessibility: promoting easy and efficient movement within and between urban areas
- City Linkages: creating linkages between different urban areas and promoting regional connectivity
- Transit-Oriented Development: developing urban areas around transit hubs
- Water-Based Transit Connectivity: water-based transportation systems to promote connectivity & reduce congestion
Participation Details
1. Register & Submit Abstract
2. Submit Thesis Portfolio
3. Announcement of the results
4. Online Thesis Seminar
5. Participation Certificates
6. Thesis Book publication
All participants will be provided with certificates of participation, while a book with an ISBN number will feature the best works of the 40 selected thesis entries. Additionally, the top 40 participants will have the opportunity to present their work to esteemed panel of urban experts and professionals from across the world, through an online seminar. In addition to the top 40 participants, 10 Honorable Mentions will also be recognized and published on our website and social media.
Graduate students who wish to participate in the Urban Design Lab Thesis Publication must meet specific eligibility criteria. Their undergraduate or postgraduate thesis should have been completed within the past five years, and it should be related to the urban domain in the field of urban design, landscape, architecture, and planning. Additionally, the thesis must have received a passing grade from an accredited institution. Meeting these eligibility requirements is essential, since only the works that fulfill these criteria will be considered for inclusion in the publication.
The UDL Thesis Publication Jury panel will evaluate submissions to select exceptional works, with separate evaluation criteria for undergraduate and postgraduate thesis. The evaluation process will be conducted by a team of expert jurors with extensive experience in the field of urbanism. They will conduct a rigorous review of each submission individually to ensure it meets the criteria for inclusion. The jurors will evaluate each submission based on originality, relevance to the theme, and quality of research and analysis. They will be looking for submissions that demonstrate innovative thinking and creative solutions to urban challenges, as well as evaluating each submission’s overall presentation.
- The submitted Thesis Portfolio must be in English and follow the provided publication’s formatting guidelines.
- The registration form should include a brief abstract (maximum 500 words) that summarizes the main ideas and scope of the thesis.
- The Thesis Portfolio must be uploaded via web-link that you will be directed to after registration, it will also be shared via registered email id, and the thesis portfolio must be uploaded by 20th July, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.
- Participants of the selected works will be notified of their acceptance for publication and will be required to sign a publication agreement.
- Abstract: The initial stage of the submission will include an abstract that summarizes your design in 500 words or less. The abstract should provide a clear and concise overview of your design and should highlight its key features.
- Submission of Thesis Portfolio: The submissions of the thesis project to be submitted before 20th July, 2025 should be combined in a single PDF format file and should include all the panels or sheets necessary to represent your design.
- Submission anonymity: To maintain submission anonymity, please make sure that your name, institute’s name, country’s name, and identification are not included on any of the panels or sheets.
- Sheet size and maximum number of pages allowed in the Portfolio: Your submission should include a maximum number of sheets based on the sheet size. For A3 size sheets, you are allowed to submit a maximum of 15 sheets, for A1 size sheets, you can submit a maximum of 10 sheets, and for A0 size sheets, you can submit a maximum of 7 sheets.
- Use impactful graphics and minimal text: We encourage you to represent your design with impactful graphics that effectively communicate the key aspects of your design. Use minimal text where necessary to provide context and detail.
- Text and graphics size: It is important to size all text and graphics according to the sheet size to ensure that they are legible and easy to understand. Make sure that your text and graphics are appropriately sized to ensure that they can be viewed and understood by the jurors.
- Submission File Size: The maximum pdf file size for the thesis portfolio is 50 MB. Please ensure that your files are compressed or optimized in a single file as necessary to meet this requirement. Files exceeding the maximum size will not be accepted for submission.
The final publication seminar will take place online for two days and will include panel discussions and presentations from the selected participants only. Selected 40 participants will be informed of the schedule in advance and will be given presentation and formatting guidelines. Presentations categories will be based on each individual seminar theme and will adhere to the specified time limit.
Schedule and Timeline
Closing Date for Registration
20th July, 2025
Announcement of the Results
31st August, 2025
Online 2-Day Thesis Seminar
13-14th September, 2025
Publication (ISBN attributed Book)
December, 2025
Register Now | Submit Later
Early Bird Registration ends on 19th April, 2025
Early Bird Registration
40 USD
Regular Registration
60 USD
Late Registration
70 USD
Submission Deadline
Closes at 11:59 pm UTC
Juror Panel
Ibrahim Hegazy
Jiddah, Saudi Arabia
PhD from University of Liverpool, Board Member Saudi Urban Planners Association
Professor of Environmental Planning and Design - King AbdulAziz University
Nabil Mohareb
Cairo, Egypt
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), University of Liverpool
Associate Professor at The American University in Cairo
Giulia Setti
Milan, Italy
Laurea in Progettazione Architettonica e Urbana, Politecnico di Milano
Assistant Professor presso Politecnico di Milano
Fabiano Lemes
Milan, Italy
PhD, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya- UPC, Barcelona
Associate Professor in Urbanism at Politecnico di Milano
Ibrahim Hegazy
Jiddah, Saudi Arabia
Prof. Ibrahim Hegazy is a distinguished academic and practitioner in environmental planning and urban design, currently serving as a Professor at King AbdulAziz University and a Board Member of the Saudi Urban Planners Association. With extensive experience in planning, development, and environmental management, he has conducted numerous research projects in the UK and provided strategic guidance on urban, regional, and national environmental initiatives. His expertise spans sustainable architecture, urban renewal, green urban assessment, and community participation, integrating design philosophy with cutting-edge environmental assessment techniques. A passionate educator, he specializes in architectural theory, sustainable building systems, and participatory planning, contributing to the advancement of architectural education and sustainable urban development.
Nabil Mohareb
Cairo, Egypt
Dr. Nabil Mohareb is currently an associate professor at the American University in Cairo’s Department of Architecture. He has previously served as the director of the Faculty of Architecture at Beirut Arab University, Lebanon. His research focuses on how architecture and urbanization affect social behavior, spatial and economic variables. He has published numerous articles in international conferences and journals. Additionally, he has led experimental workshops in Egypt, Italy, and Lebanon. Dr. Mohareb is on the editorial review board for several academic journals.
Giulia Setti
Milan, Italy
Giulia Setti is an architect, researcher, and Assistant Professor at Politecnico di Milano, where she has been teaching since 2015 in both Bachelor’s and Master’s programs. Holding a PhD in Architectural and Urban Design, her work focuses on housing design, urban transformation, and the regeneration of industrial buildings. Her research explores the relationship between urban form and context, with a particular interest in informal settlements and public spaces in global settings such as India and China. As a thesis supervisor, she guides students on topics including urban regeneration, industrial reuse, and the evolution of public spaces, contributing to a deeper understanding of contemporary urban challenges. Passionate about architectural education, she integrates theoretical and practical approaches to enhance design methodologies. Her commitment to interdisciplinary research fosters innovative solutions for sustainable urban development and adaptive reuse strategies.
Fabiano Lemes
Milan, Italy
Professor Fabiano is an Associate Professor in Urbanism at Politecnico di Milano, based in the DAStU – Department of Architecture and Urban Studies. His research focuses on planning models that integrate urbanization with nature, emphasizing green and blue infrastructure, and sustainable planning. He authored “Green Wedge Urbanism: History, Theory and Contemporary Practice” and edited “Planning Cities with Nature.” In addition to his research, he teaches in the Masters of Sustainable Architecture and Landscape Design and the Masters of Architecture and Urbanism programs, and coordinates the PhD program in Urban Planning, Design, and Policy. Before joining Politecnico di Milano, he was a Reader in Urbanism and Architecture at the University of Portsmouth, UK, where he held several leadership roles in research and education.
Federico Fauli
London, United Kingdom
Graduate, Architectural Association | Bachelor, Politecnico di Milano
Architect - Bjarke Ingels Group & Tutor at Architectural Association
Fatouma Sarah El Phil
Paris, France
Architect & Urban Designer, KCAP
Graduate, École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris-Belleville
Beta Paramita
Bandung, Indonesia
The University of Kitakyushu
Associate Professor at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
Evan Shieh
New York, United States
Master of Architecture in Urban Design, Harvard University GSD
Assistant Professor, New York Institute of Technology, United States
Federico Fauli
London, United Kingdom
Federico Fauli is an accomplished architect and tutor at the Architectural Association, currently working at Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in London. With a Master’s degree from the Architectural Association and a Bachelor’s from Politecnico di Milano, he has gained experience at renowned firms such as Zaha Hadid Architects and Renzo Piano Building Workshop. His portfolio includes major international projects in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, alongside independent design competition wins. A recipient of prestigious awards like the Renzo Piano Building Workshop Sponsorship and the MAD Fellowship, his work has been widely published and exhibited globally. Passionate about experimental fabrication and architectural iconography, he continues to explore innovative spatial languages through academic research, collaborations, and international showcases.
Fatouma Sarah El Phil
Paris, France
Fatouma Sarah El Phil is a skilled architect and urban designer currently working at KCAP, with a strong academic background from the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris-Belleville and the National School of Architecture and Urban Planning of Tunis. With expertise in architecture, urban planning, and heritage revitalization, she has contributed to significant projects as a project architect and urbanist at Reichen et Robert & Associés before joining KCAP. Passionate about the intersection of contemporary architecture and heritage preservation, her work explores the evolutionary and contextual aspects of urban design, shaping dynamic and resilient spaces. She thrives in multidisciplinary environments, integrating innovative design solutions with a deep understanding of cultural and spatial dynamics. Dedicated to research and practice, she continuously seeks to bridge the gap between architectural theory and urban transformation.
Beta Paramita
Bandung, Indonesia
Beta Paramita is an Associate Professor in Architecture at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, specializing in sustainable cities, green buildings, and building performance with a focus on outdoor thermal comfort. She is a board member of IBPSA-ID (Indonesia chapter) and actively contributes to RDI (Research Resilience Initiative) on community, environmental change, and sustainable development. She founded Pendidikan Hijau, a movement promoting building performance-based design education, and won the 2022 Million Cool Roofs Challenge, leading to the establishment of the start-up BeCool Indonesia. Recognized as an outstanding lecturer in 2023, she developed RAFLESIA, a solar-reflective house using metal panels with 90% solar emissivity and 72.9% solar reflectance, showcasing her commitment to innovative and sustainable architectural solutions.
Evan Shieh
New York, United States
Evan Shieh is an architect, urbanist, researcher, and educator. He is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) where he teaches as a full-time faculty member, and is also the director of Emergent Studio, a design and research office operating at architecture’s intersection with urbanism, landscape, and infrastructure. His interdisciplinary research investigates the urban and environmental crises that our mono-functional infrastructures and technologies are implicated in, with a particular focus on the spatial impact of mobility infrastructure and new mobility technologies on design, planning, and other key aspects of the built environment. He is the author of Autonomous Urbanism: Towards a New Transitopia (AR+D Publishers, forthcoming Fall 2024), and his work has been curated & exhibited at venues around the world including at the Venice, Seoul, and Shenzhen Biennales of Architecture & Urbanism. Shieh is a graduate of Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, from which he holds a Master of Architecture in Urban Design.
Frequently Asked Questions
To select the theme for submission, you should carefully read the segment about “Publication Themes” provided above and if your thesis falls under any theme based on the diverse areas of focus and research mentioned within, you may submit your thesis entry for the particular theme.
The contact information for participants needing additional support is editor@urbandesignlab.in. You may contact the provided email address for any queries.
Yes, it is recommended to format your sheets/panel before submitting the compiled thesis portfolio according to the guidelines provided in the section “Formatting Guidelines” by 20th July, 2025. However, the initial stage only requires 500 words abstract submission.
Your entry will be evaluated separately based on under-graduate and post-graduate categories, you can access more information from the segment specified as the “Evaluation Criteria”, which also includes criteria relating to originality, relevance to the theme and subtheme, methodology, design approach and overall presentation quality.
Regrettably, due to the large number of submissions, we are unable to provide personal feedback or comments to all participants.
Modifying a submission after it has been made will not be possible, as per the publication policy.
The registration fee is non-refundable, even if you withdraw your entry or are unable to submit within the specified submission schedule.
You must receive a confirmation email post registration and submission. If you haven’t received any confirmation, you should contact editor@urbandesignlab.in to confirm your registration status.
No. You can only submit one entry, it can either be your under-graduate or post-graduate thesis within one specific theme.
If the payment gateway is not available in your country, you can contact editor@urbandesignlab.in to discuss alternative payment methods.
Payments are handled by Stripe, Google Pay and PayPal Payment Gateways. You can pay by scanning the provided QR code or accessing the payment link.
The currency for paying the registration fee is United States dollar (USD) and Indian Rupee (INR).
You can use online currency exchange calculators or contact your bank to calculate the currency exchange rate to pay for the registration fee.
The exact date for receiving the participation certificate may vary depending on the publication policy, but typically, it will be provided after the online two-days publication seminar is over.
Yes, you can attend the publication seminar even if your thesis is not shortlisted. The link to join will be shared with the registered email id.
The Publication book will only be available in hard copy which can be purchased from our website.
The language you should use while submitting your thesis is English as is the most widely accepted language in academic events.
The thesis Portfolio will be submitted after registration, you must upload it via the web-link that you will be directed to. This link will also be shared via registered email ID. Please ensure that you upload your Thesis Portfolio by 20th July, 2025, as late submissions will not be accepted.
Collaborations
Previous Media Collaborations
Here is the link for UDL Thesis Publication Brief that we recommend you go through prior to Registering.
UDL Thesis Publication Brief :
