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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. 

The Foundation:  About the Course

There’s a reason so many people resist new urban developments: too much of what gets built today is uninspired. Nobody wants to live in soulless environments or spend their lives surrounded by ugly buildings. If we want our cities to flourish, we need to create places people cherish. And if we want existing cities to remain livable, we must safeguard the distinctive qualities that make them unique. Yet most universities overlook the fundamentals of livability, human scale, and beauty, prioritizing novelty instead. As a result, many urban professionals lack the tools to deliver the very qualities people value most. This course changes that. Through clear, engaging lessons, you’ll uncover why some places feel timeless and alive while others feel sterile and forgettable. You’ll journey through 10,000 years of urban history, decode the elements that bring streets and squares to life, and build a practical toolkit to read, critique, and shape better places. Grounded in the enduring principles of traditional urbanism and architecture, the course shows how timeless design continues to inspire, remain relevant, and deliver real value today. By the end, you will see cities differently and have the knowledge and confidence to champion places that are beautiful, lasting, and deeply human. Whether you’re a student, policymaker, developer, or simply someone who cares about the future of our built environment, this is the foundation that empowers you to make a difference.

The Curriculum

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    Start Here

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    Module 1: Understanding Cities, Past to Present

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    Module 2: Timeless Principles of Urban Design

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    Module 3: Traditional Architecture

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    Module 4: Core City Elements

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    Conclusion and Next Steps

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They Tried It - Here's What They Said

 

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

I was hesitant to buy the course at first, coming from an entirely unrelated professional background, but I can now say it is worth every penny and I recommend it without any reservation. It was so captivating that I watched the entire course within 2 days and I look forward to revisiting it in the future. I have already learnt how I can put my finger on/describe why a place feels off, or great. Thank you for producing this course!
Kate

Germany

The course has exceeded my expectations and I am happy that I have received value for money despite the fact that I have closely followed the video from your parent channel. I did not expect to receive so much history and psychology in what appears to be a course on aesthetics and architecture.  I look forward to encouraging a return (with modern technological assistance where appropriate) to this very wise form of urban and town planning.  Wow!  What a deep dive and I still have one module to go, Thanks to Ruben and all at Aesthetic City. 
Garalt C.

Ireland

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 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

I have thoroughly enjoyed coming back to my architecture studies after thirty years through this course. It is true that parts of the architecture school are disappointing because the old knowledge of designing and building was/is not taught. I highly recommend this course for anyone who is frustrated by the ugly buildings built everywhere that disturb the peace of a place, and wonder if today's society can still build places that are aesthetically pleasing to most. The course highlights the key elements that traditional masters used to design such places. The importance of beautiful public art/architecture cannot be underestimated, and more people should demand it. This course was very informative and worth every dollar spent.
Tanya

Victoria, Australia

I have no background in architecture, drafting or construction, but all of the videos are so thorough and easy to understand that it is truly a joy to sit down in the evening with a warm tea, and do a few lessons followed by the quiz after. A truly educational course for everyone from studied architects to city planners and enthusiasts alike. Bravo!
Samuel

South Australia

This is an excellent course. Ruben guides you in a rapid but very dense way in short lessons. I recommend it to anyone with a general interest in architectural and city planing. Especially i recommend this course as a "must-do" if you are thinking about Architectural studies.
André Everbrant

Green building consultant and CEO. EVER BYGG AB, Sweden

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 192,000 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

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 192,000 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 research and 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.

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, we are confident that you'll find valuable insights and tools to take with you. ✳️ 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, we will occasionally host live Q&A sessions with Ruben. ✳️ When will enrollment be open? Please stay tuned for the next enrollment period. You can do so by joining the waitlist here: https://the-aesthetic-city.kit.com/a2d41beb6f. ✳️ 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!

Unlock Your Placemaking Potential

Start seeing cities and places with new eyes. Master timeless urban design, understand classical architecture, and learn what makes places truly loved. 👉 Join the waitlist: the-aesthetic-city.kit.com/waitlist

Next Enrollment Period TBD: Join the Waitlist (opens email in new window)

Learn More

Preview a lesson in the Curriculum section to see if the course is right for you. You can also listen to Episode 52 of The Aesthetic City Podcast or watch the video on the left from our YouTube channel. If you enjoy the channel, you’ll love the course. It goes deeper, with clear explanations and practical insights to help you understand what makes places truly beautiful, lasting, and successful.