MOLLY ROBINSON

My teaching is rooted in the practical application of city planning and urban design. Through courses that bridge theory and practice, I guide student development of analytical tools, design skills, and critical thinking necessary to shape livable, resilient, and equitable cities. My approach prioritizes hands-on learning, engagement with real-world urban challenges, and direct application of planning and design concepts.

 

Urban design is no longer the exclusive domain of architects and planners focused on physical form. Today, urban designers take on multidimensional roles as conveners, collaborators, negotiators, and facilitators—bringing together diverse voices to shape more inclusive, responsive cities. My teaching reflects this evolution, preparing students to engage not only in direct design work but also in the policy, public engagement, and decision-making processes that influence urban spaces.

 

Urban design literacy is critical beyond the profession. Policymakers, public health professionals, engineers, and even engaged citizens all benefit from understanding urban design principles to advocate for better communities. My courses foster this interdisciplinary mindset, equipping students with the skills to collaborate across fields, navigate complex urban challenges, and engage meaningfully in civic processes. Through this broader approach, I emphasize that urban design is not just about creating spaces—it’s about shaping the conversations that make great places possible.

I believe that learning happens through doing—through observing urban spaces, questioning existing conditions, understanding historical and cultural influences, testing ideas, and refining solutions. My courses are structured to help students uncover the complexities of urban environments and navigate the interplay between physical design, policy, and public interest. Students develop their own understanding of urban systems, learning to balance competing needs, visualize geospatial data, and apply design standards with clarity and purpose. My role is to challenge students to think critically, communicate effectively, and build the confidence to engage with professional and public audiences.

 

Urban design is an iterative, collaborative practice. I encourage students to explore multiple perspectives, work across disciplines, and embrace both qualitative and quantitative methods. Whether through direct design—developing site plans, public space interventions, and streetscape designs—or indirect design—shaping policy, regulations, and engagement strategies—students in my courses learn to approach urban challenges holistically, with the awareness that every design decision impacts people and communities.

 

Curricular Innovation & Leadership

I have developed and led multiple courses that contribute to both undergraduate and graduate curricula. In Fall 2025, I am launching CMP 2500 Urban Design and Society, a General Education (GE) course with the Social and Behavioral Science (BF) designation. As the entry course for a developing urban design minor, this course introduces urban design as an interdisciplinary practice that shapes human behavior, community well-being, and sustainability, engaging students across multiple fields. The course will debut at the Utah Asia Campus (CMP 4960) in Summer 2025, demonstrating a commitment to global perspectives and cross-cultural urbanism.

 

In studio courses, students work in a collaborative setting intended to foster cross-pollination of techniques and ideas. In CMP 4280/6280 Urban Design Workshop, students develop urban design pattern books and revitalization plans that directly impact local communities following Community Engaged Learning (CEL) practices. The Urban Design Studio (CMP 6445) is an intensive, hands-on learning experience that focuses on the complex issues associated with visioning and master-planning multi-stakeholder urban districts. Workshops and studios are typically client-based, immersing students in real-world scenarios and collaboration with practitioners and community members.

 

In coordination with the College of Architecture and Planning’s Games Division, I am developing a new course exploring how games have been used to study and shape urban environments through the lens of urban design and planning.

 

Student-Centered Pedagogy & Engagement

My teaching approach emphasizes experiential learning—incorporating site visits, observational studies, studio-based critique, and interdisciplinary methods. Courses like CMP 6415 Urban Design Fundamentals and CMP 6445 Urban Design Studio develop students’ design literacy, critical analysis, and visual communication skills through field work. Students work in multiple media –hand drawing, sketching, digital diagramming, 3D models, and photorealistic renderings—to produce professional-quality work. Past projects have included concept designs for Salt Lake City’s Green Loop, North Temple Corridor, and the proposed Main Street Pedestrian Mall, preparing students to tackle complex urban challenges, including zoning, infrastructure, public engagement, and implementation challenges.

 

CMP 3270 Visual and Oral Communication equips Urban Ecology students with essential skills in professional writing, storytelling, and graphic representation, preparing them for work with the clients, the public, and elected officials.

 

Across my courses, I prioritize building students’ confidence in planning and urban design practice—helping them articulate design concepts, navigate professional challenges, and apply interdisciplinary thinking. I encourage students to develop their own design philosophies while addressing urgent issues like climate resilience, equity, and placemaking.

 

Applied Learning and Professional Preparation

As a practitioner with experience in hiring, project management, design proposals, and zoning code development, I prepare students for professional practice by incorporating:

• Fieldwork and site visits to observe urban environments firsthand
• Peer review and juried critiques that simulate professional review processes
• Engagement with practitioners and community partners, offering students exposure to real projects, constraints, and decision-making processes
• Technical skill development, including diagramming, digital modeling, policy analysis, and visual storytelling.

 

My experience on hiring committees and RFP evaluation teams gives me direct insight into what firms and agencies seek in emerging professionals, allowing me to guide students in developing the skills and portfolios that align with industry expectations.

 

In CMP 6415 Urban Design Fundamentals, students apply these skills by analyzing and critiquing current design review applications, gaining the ability to evaluate development proposals against city design regulations. Meanwhile, CMP 2500 Urban Design and Society introduces students with diverse academic interests to the intersection of urban form, policy, and human behavior, expanding urban design literacy across disciplines.

 

Future Contributions & Commitment to the Department

My curriculum development—including the urban design minor and the interdisciplinary Games and Planning course—reflects my commitment to expanding urban design education at the University of Utah. I am dedicated to supporting students in their professional development, bridging academic knowledge with practical application, and strengthening connections between design, policy, and public engagement. I actively mentor students, offering career guidance, resume review, and networking opportunities.