What To Expect: Launch Month

🔓 The course unlocks one module per week during the first four weeks 📅 You’ll have full access for TWO YEARS from the day you enroll 👥 Join us for two live Q&As during launch month ⏳ Enrollment is open for one month only  🔄 Watch & re-watch the lessons at any time for a full year ⭐ Use code LAUNCH10 at checkout for 10% off — limited time only

Transform How You See the World

Discover the patterns behind places we love and why many new developments fail. With clear explanations, beautiful footage from around the world and original animations, your understanding of cities will be transformed.

Master the Tools of Great Citymaking

Learn the evidence-based principles that make places beautiful, loved, and enduring. From classical buildings to street trees, gain a practical toolkit to read and shape your environment.

Urbanism Without the Nonsense

No jargon. No fluff. Just clear, grounded insight from Ruben, founder of The Aesthetic City. Whether you’re new to urbanism or deep in the field, this course makes complex ideas simple and actionable. 

What is The Aesthetic City?

We are a social media platform and movement founded by urbanist Ruben Hanssen in 2021, with the goal of making our built environment more livable, vibrant and beautiful - using time-tested urban design & architectural principles. The Aesthetic City has a YouTube channel with 188,000 subscribers, reaching over 13 million viewers globally showing successful new traditional urban design projects. The Aesthetic City also has a world-class podcast featuring some of the world's most impactful urbanists and architects, including Léon Krier (designer of the new town Poundbury in the U.K.), Chuck Marohn from StrongTowns and Classical architect Robert Adam. For more information, visit our website: www.theaestheticcity.com

About the Course

There is a reason why so many people oppose new urban developments. It's because the status quo of what's being built today is of such low quality that it sparks resistance. After all, who wants to live in a miserable place or look at an ugly building? If we want our cities to grow, we need to create nice places. And if we want to keep existing cities livable, we need to protect their distinctive qualities! However, most universities don't even focus on factors like livability, human scale and beauty. Which is why within many urban professions, there is a blind spot surrounding these topics. This course changes that. In clear and engaging lessons, you’ll learn why some places feel timeless and beautiful, while others feel sterile and forgettable. You’ll explore 10,000 years of urban history, decode the elements that make streets and squares come alive, and build a toolkit to read, critique, and imagine better places. The course draws on the principles of traditional urbanism and architecture, which have stood the test of time and continue to prove relevant and popular today. By the end, you'll see cities differently. You'll understand the patterns, principles, and values behind places we love and how to spot (or stop) what’s breaking them. Whether you're a student, policymaker, developer, or simply someone who cares about beauty and place, this is the foundation you didn’t know you needed.

Meet Your Instructor

Hello aspiring citymakers! I'm Ruben Hanssen - urbanist, researcher, and founder of The Aesthetic City.  With a background in Urban Planning (University of Amsterdam) and a Master’s in Urbanism (TU Delft), I’ve spent the past decade exploring how cities shape our lives and how we can build better ones. Through my platform The Aesthetic City, I’ve grown a YouTube audience of over 188,000 people, reaching millions with videos about traditional architecture, urban design, and the fight against ugliness in the built environment. I’ve interviewed more than 50 leading experts in classical architecture and urbanism, and distilled their insights, along with years of my own study around the world, into this course. My goal? To help you see cities clearly, understand what makes places loved or loathed, and equip you with the knowledge to speak up, think critically, and see paths toward change. This course is presented in the same high-quality visual style as my Youtube videos: original footage, hand-drawn animations, and custom 3D visuals designed to make complex ideas easy to grasp and hard to forget. It is time to leave behind the jargon and ideas that have failed us. No BS, no filler. Just a clear, honest journey into the heart of great placemaking.

The Curriculum

6 Chapters · 83 Lessons

  1. 1

    Start Here

    1. Welcome! Free preview
    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Meet Ruben

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Course Overview & Goals

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      How to Flow Through This Course

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Support & FAQs

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Disclaimer

  2. 2

    Module 1: Understanding Cities, Past to Present

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction

    2. 1. On Making Places & Cities Free preview
    3. (Included in full purchase)

      On Making Places & Cities - Quiz

    4. 2. What Makes a City Successful? Free preview
    5. (Included in full purchase)

      What Makes a City Successful - Quiz

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      3. Issues Today

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Issues Today - Quiz

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      4. On Urban Planning & Design

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      On Urban Planning & Design - Quiz

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      5. Urban Form

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Urban Form - Quiz

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      6. History of Cities 1 - Premodern Cities

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Premodern Cities - Quiz

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      7. History of Cities 2 - The Industrial City

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      The Industrial City - Quiz

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      8. History of Cities 3 - City Beautiful

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      City Beautiful - Quiz

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      9. History of Cities 4 - The Garden City

    19. (Included in full purchase)

      The Garden City - Quiz

    20. (Included in full purchase)

      10. History of Cities 5 - American Car Suburbs

    21. (Included in full purchase)

      American Car Suburbs - Quiz

    22. (Included in full purchase)

      11. History of Cities 6 - Modernism

    23. (Included in full purchase)

      Modernism - Quiz

    24. (Included in full purchase)

      12. The Return of Traditional Urbanism

    25. (Included in full purchase)

      The Return of Traditional Urbanism - Quiz

  3. 3

    Module 2: Timeless Principles of Urban Design

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      1. Walkability

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Walkability - Quiz

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      2. Human Scale

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Human Scale - Quiz

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      3. Mixed-Use

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Mixed-Use - Quiz

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      4. Gentle Density

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Gentle Density - Quiz

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      5. Enclosure

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Enclosure - Quiz

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      6. Connectivity

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Connectivity - Quiz

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      7. Sustainability

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Sustainability Quiz

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      8. Integration of Nature

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      Integration of Nature - Quiz

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      9. Beauty

    19. (Included in full purchase)

      Beauty - Quiz

    20. (Included in full purchase)

      10. Sense of Place

    21. (Included in full purchase)

      Sense of Place - Quiz

  4. 4

    Module 3: Traditional Architecture

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      1. Traditional Architecture 101

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Traditional Architecture 101 - Quiz

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      2. Vernacular Building

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Vernacular Building - Quiz

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      3. Classical Architecture

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Classical Architecture - Quiz

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      3.5. Classical Order Drawing Excercise

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      4. Architectural Literacy

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Architectural Literacy - Quiz

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      5. Classical Architecture: A Deep Dive

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Classical Architecture: A Deep Dive - Quiz

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      6. Other Elements of Classical Architecture

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Other Elements of Classical Architecture - Quiz

  5. 5

    Module 4: Core City Elements

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      1. Blocks

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Blocks - Quiz

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      2. Buildings

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Buildings - Quiz

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      3. Streets

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Streets - Quiz

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      4. Detailing

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Detailing - Quiz

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      5. Transition Spaces

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Transition Spaces - Quiz

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      6. Plazas, Squares & Courtyards

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Plazas, Squares & Courtyards - Quiz

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      7. Parks and Gardens

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Parks and Gardens - Quiz

  6. 6

    Conclusion and Next Steps

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Recap & Final Thoughts

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Recommended Resources

They Tried It First - Here's What They said

We shared our course with a select group of professionals and beta testers to ensure it delivers on every level. These are some of their testimonials.

”
Impressive and high-quality course content that teaches in a very visual way how to design cities, neighborhoods and streets that are truly sustainable and have a positive effect on our mental health. The content is perfectly presented for me- since I am a visual learner.
Hedzer Roodenburg-Vermaat

  The Netherlands

”
This video series is outstanding. I can’t think of another source which combines the topics many of us are so passionate about in one place – urban design, placemaking and architecture – and presents it so thoroughly, so enjoyably and yet right to the point. A huge well done to Ruben and his team!
Robert Kwolek, Create Streets

London

”
This course is everything you ever wanted to know about traditional architecture and urbanism but were too afraid to ask. It's accessible yet insightful, comprehensive but also detailed. From cornices to city blocks, this course has what you need to understand buildings and cities.
Michelle Sofge

Berlin

From the very first lesson I was absolutely hooked on the content and couldn't stop watching and learning. I especially enjoyed that the lessons are short and packed with a huge amount of knowledge. The course covered everything from architectural history to detailed aesthetics like the importance of doors and benches. I also loved the layout of the lessons as it was easy to keep track of my progress. Such great value for money. Highly recommend!
Janie R.

The Netherlands

”
Beautifully put together and it drew me in from the very first module. I have no background in architecture or city planning, but it was so easy to understand. I catch myself noticing little details in the streets I never paid attention to before.
Amin A.

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

FAQs

✳️ What level is this course for?  This course is designed for everyone—from total beginners to experienced professionals. Whether you’re a student, architect, planner, or curious citizen, you’ll find valuable insights and tools.  ✳️ Do I need a background in urbanism or architecture? No prior knowledge is required. The course breaks down complex ideas into clear, understandable lessons using visuals and real-world examples. ✳️ How does this add anything to my professional value? This course equips you with timeless principles and practical tools that enhance your understanding of how great places are designed and function. Whether you work in design, planning, policymaking, or related fields, these insights will deepen your expertise, improve your ability to evaluate and create better environments, and distinguish you as someone who values thoughtful, evidence-based approaches. Ultimately, this knowledge can help you make stronger decisions, communicate more effectively with stakeholders, and advance your career by aligning your work with proven, respected standards in the built environment. ✳️ How long do I have access to the course? You’ll have access for TWO FULL YEARS from the date of enrollment. ✳️ Is this course self-paced? Yes. You can take the course at your own pace, on your own schedule. For the first cohort, the four modules will unlock weekly starting June 20—but once each one is released, you can work through it whenever it suits you.  ✳️ What’s included in the course? The course includes video lessons, original footage and animations, downloadable resources, and a toolkit for understanding and improving the built environment. ✳️ Will there be any live sessions? Yes! There will be two live Q&A sessions with Ruben during the first few weeks of the course. The tentative dates are July 6 and July 20. ✳️ How long will enrollment be open? Enrollment will be open for about a month. If you're interested, it's best to join now while access is still available and to lock in the best rate. But once you have access you can watch and re-watch the lessons at any time you like for a full year! ✳️ Are refunds available? Due to the digital nature of the course, refunds are generally not available. We encourage you to review all available preview materials before purchasing. However, if you experience a significant issue or believe your case warrants review, please contact us at [email protected] within 14 days of purchase.   ✳️ Will I get a certificate? Yes, you'll receive a certificate of completion after finishing the course. When you have finished all the lessons, Thinkific will enable you to download your certificate!

The Value You'll Get

At The Aesthetic City, we believe everyone deserves to understand how cities shape their lives and how to shape them in return. That’s why we’ve packed this course with as much insight, clarity, and visual quality as possible, while keeping the price accessible. Because this knowledge shouldn’t be spread across a thousand different sources. It should be available all in one place, and in your hands. As we continue to improve and expand the course, the price is likely to increase. So if you’re ready, now is the time to lock in your access for the year.

Unlock Your Placemaking Potential

Enroll now and start seeing cities with new eyes. Master timeless urban design, understand classical architecture, and learn what makes places truly loved.

Enroll Now Free preview

Still deciding?

You can preview a few free lessons in the Curriculum section above to see if the course is right for you. You can also watch the video on the left from the Youtube channel. If the channel resonates with you, you’ll love the course. It's deeper, clearer, and built to give you the full picture behind beautiful, lasting and successful places.