ABSTRACT

At the same time as the potential of the studio is expanding, its use as a pedagogical approach in planning programs is diminishing. Evidence suggests that studio courses occupy a smaller proportion of classroom hours when compared to other more traditional pedagogies such as lecture and seminar. This chapter discusses the potential, proper use, and current use of studios in planning curricula. It gives an overview of the history of studios as a planning teaching tool as planning education developed, particularly in the U.S., in the 20th century. The chapter then discusses how current programs incorporate studios and workshops into their curricula, the pedagogical challenges best addressed by studios, and the obstacles, both practical and theoretical, to mounting a successful studio.