The UDA Academy is a learning program designed specifically for the professional development of our fellows and summer interns. The goal of the UDA Academy is to train new staff in techniques, skills, and knowledge relevant to the practice of urban design, architecture, and related professions. The training experience provided by UDA Academy exceeds what is typically found in traditional fellowship and internship experiences. Specific to UDA’s practice, the Academy’s curriculum of training exercises provides an opportunity to learn additional techniques, gain knowledge for professional enrichment, and also prepare to integrate into and work collaboratively as a member of one of UDA’s teams. The UDA Academy is taught by UDA’s Principals, Associates, Senior Staff, and invited guests.



Two-year fellowships at UDA begin with a two-week-long exercise that provides new fellows with an opportunity to work together and learn techniques for design and production from hand drawing to digital presentation. These skills are then applied to a design exercise local to Pittsburgh. The exercise begins with extensive reconnaissance photography and documentation, followed by conceptual design explorations of urban design alternatives, architectural typologies, and styles. During the process, UDA provides training in digital programs, digital filing systems, project facilitation, hand drawing, and presentation techniques. The exercise concludes with a final presentation to the entire UDA staff. Following completion of this introductory exercise, two-year fellows join their UDA project team.



On a monthly basis, UDA sponsors lunchtime and other Intern Development Program (IDP) seminars, lectures, and instruction on traditional and contemporary issues that affect the broad scope of the profession, as well as history and theory discussions. These seminars support IDP credit hours toward licensure. Seminars are co-hosted by the UDA Green Initiative to inform the office about emerging issues in today’s practice in sustainable urban design and architecture. The lectures support issues covered in the LEED exam. IDP/LEED-related professional development activities are open to all UDA personnel.



Prior to working with one of our urban design or architecture teams, UDA summer interns work together to complete a small project. Interns conduct research, hold meetings, and create a final presentation attended by the client and members of the UDA staff. UDA’s Senior Staff assists in facilitating the process and also provides training to summer interns in UDA techniques. UDA summer interns have contributed to Pattern Books for neighborhoods within the City of Pittsburgh and local communities.