Welcome! Here you can find all the gossip on who’s who at Newcastle University Urban Design. We’re a varied bunch of people, with many different backgrounds and specialisms, which makes for some very interesting conversations, and some even more interesting nights out!
Dexter Lee Jin Kian
DEXTER : Classmates Say : “DUDE”…Live life in style !
I am Dexter Lee Jin Kian. I was trained as an architect in profession previously back in my hometown, Malaysia. I have graduated with a Bachelor in Science (Hons) Architecture Degree from Taylor’s University. The main reason for me to take up Urban Design as part of my Master’s programme was because I was enthusiast in creating a better life style for the people. As a saying goes “A designer is always responsible on what he is creating, he or she shall make a difference in the future”. This is what I believe most of the time. Great power comes with great responsibilities. I am a person who is rather active most of the time. I do multiple sports such as football, badminton, rock climbing. Besides that, I am a person who is mainly into photography, movies as well as computer games as my interest. CHEERS PEOPLE!!!!…..
Shreya Shetty
SHREYA : Classmates Say : Altruistic Leader, Woman with substance
I am Shreya Shetty, an Architect by profession thriving to be an Urban Designer. I grew up in Kuwait and then shifted to India for my under-graduate life, which I completed in architecture from VNIT, Nagpur. I also pursued the course of Diploma in Animation and Film Making from MAAC, Mumbai.Urban Design to me is an expression of life which I believe can be made pleasant with logical planning, understanding human needs, using our resources nattily and exploring innovative design possibilities.My passion for travelling and opportunity of living at different places and interacting with varied culture, lifestyle and history increased my keenness towards architectural creativity and Urban Design.My hobbies and interests include Indian classical dance, sports-basketball in particular, music-drums, sketching- freehand and digital.My family means the world to me and I believe Life is too short and each experience is a Blessing !
Sarah Cawrse
SARAH: Classmates Say:
Miss P4 – Picture Perfect Personified Personality!
My name is Sarah Cawrse and I am from Colorado in the United States. In June 2012, I graduated from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California where I received a bachelor’s of landscape architecture and played volleyball for the university. I was given the opportunity to study at Newcastle University because of an Ambassadorial Scholarship I received through the Rotary Foundation to serve as a goodwill ambassador, carry out Rotary’s commitment to service above self, and to create international understanding while studying urban design.
I grew up moving around the country and living in small scenic towns, which provided me the countryside and majestic mountains for my playground and because of this I enjoy doing outdoor activities like hunting, skiing, backpacking, or hiking. Sports, especially volleyball, have been and are a huge part of my life. Most importantly I love cooking, dancing, traveling, and being with friends and family! LIVE LAUGH LOVE
Peter Horak
PETER: Classmates Say:
Don’t judge the book by its cover
My name is Peter Horak, from Slovakia. I graduated in my hometown – Bratislava in June 2012, at Slovak University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture. I was always interested in drawing, painting, it helped me understand world inside and around me. As I was growing, gaining experiences, I realised, that I can offer my skills to people, as an architect. In my point of view, there are many things, which can improve our lives. But, there are many things, which influence the architects work. Since I have started looking at design in wider view, I figured out, that urban design is something much more interesting. Urban designer needs to consider many factors, which architect cannot see.
Many of us live their own life and do not care, what will happen tomorrow. Urban design, for me, is a vision of future. A way, how to improve life in towns, cities.. But also a way, how to screw it up.
So, stay focused, gain knowledge, consider all factors!
And live, feel, be free!
Kartikeya Singh
KARTIKEYA: Classmates Say:
“Patience is my biggest weapon”
“Since childhood, I used to sketch lines, curved lines, zig-zag lines & still I do the same”. I am Kartikeya Singh, a bachelor from Pune University (INDIA) in Architecture. The degree brought me here, a step closer to my dream of pursuing a career in the field of Urban Design. The relationship of tradition and innovation that my course offers and moreover to observe, analyze, study and learn, how Urban design operates in an atmosphere that is conditioned by the weight of its his history while responding to modern progress and its change.
I grew up in different cities of my country since childhood which allowed me to learn various local languages, cultures, traditions and festivals. I have keen interest in Politics, Public affairs & in future I look forward to serve the people through these mediums. I enjoy interacting with intellectuals and gain experience from every aspect of life. I love sharing time with my elders and my family is like my world. Apart from it, I have interest in Sports Cars, watching football, doing poetry. I like replenishing my wardrobe with new apparels….frequently. My friends compliment me for my cooking and I am always hungry for Chicken Tandoori and potatoes.
LU XING ( Ruby )
LU XING: Classmates Say:
“Fun is all we need”
My name is LU XING (Ruby), and I am from Guangzhou, in the south of China. I graduated with a Bachelor in Urban Planning in June 2012. There were two choices in my undergraduate, Urban Planning and Landscape, and I had chosen the former, in order to improve urban aesthetics and the quality of urban life. Even China is a developing country, I think Guangzhou is a developed city. I want to make it more humane, well-connected and planet-friendly and become a model for other cities in urban regeneration and planning. So I continue degree in MA Urban Design.
I am a lively girl and like to participate in various activities, meet different people. Travelling, sports, photography, drama and cooking are all my interests and hobbies. As an amateur photographer, photograph is the best way to record my life.
NING CUI
NING CUI (Hope) : Classmates Say : Everyone hopes to see “HOPE” everyday (says Hope), Ms.Sunshine !
My name is Ning cui(Hope),from China. I graduated from North part of china—Shenyang in June 2012, majored in Landscape architecture. When I was young, I interested in sketches, painting, and have some professional training in terms of drawing, which have laid a solid foundation of hand drawing that I am proud of. Importantly, It is a way getting me know the world, nature, understand the world that inside me .As I growing up, I am quite fascinated in landscape architecture, For the reason of my parents, I have opportunities to have some fieldworks in design institutes and have chances to see how design can be applied into in real life which get me known how to combine design and real life. Now, urban design is a new challenge for me, the way it seems to me is: wider view, more logical thinking, understanding the needs of human being.
I live in a coastal city, which provided me with wonderful beach and mountains; because of this I enjoy outdoor activities like swimming and climbing. Most importantly, I enjoy small things in life: like the flicker candle light in a dusk, or stop to listen musicians playing music at metro centre, they are gifts of god that create our life more beautiful,and always bring me inspirations and love!
Amy Priestley
AMY: Classmates Say: The best things come in small packages
Hi, I am Amy, an Urban Design student at Newcastle University 12-13. I completed my BA in Town Planning, also at Newcastle University in June 2011, and have since completed a placement year in a retail planning consultancy based in Leeds, my hometown. I chose to study urban design, as I want to apply my wider knowledge and appreciation of places to practical problems that allow me to think visually and creatively. I also love Newcastle- the University and the city, and am both excited and proud to be studying here again.
I have a strong interest in the environment and urban greenspace, and am a regular volunteer, as Environmental Officer on the SCAN Committee (Student Community Action Newcastle), a student run volunteering charity. This involves organising and participating in projects improving the local environment such as The Big Tree Plant, Guerilla Gardening and conservation/education activities at Rupert’s Wood, as well as meeting lots of new volunteers, fundraising and organising SCAN events.
Wei Zhao ( Nigo )
NIGO : Classmates Say : Mr.’Express it all’ with sound effects !
My name is WEI ZHAO (Nigo), coming from Shenzhen – in the south of China. I graduated in my hometown as well in June 2012 at Shenzhen University, College of Architecture & Urban Planning. I have a non-stop interest in thinking about how the city works in such a good pattern, which shows me a clear profile about cities. Urban design to me is an approach to improvement of the city area, including urban and suburb, in living condition, quality of space, quality of life and the economic growth, etc. An urban designer, as I wish, should generate or a better life pattern integrate lots of valuable elements in cities, like cultural, social, healthy living style, etc. for the people in their town, working, living, enjoying their lives, etc., by using the designers professional design skills and techniques which coming from life as well. In some case, a good urban design project seems to be an implementation of people’s dream of city. So, it becomes my dream of my career in urban design. Besides, I am a cool person that be active in sharing interesting thing and playing badminton, snooker & pool, cooking and travelling.
Anyway, come on! Enjoy life in ‘urban design’.
‘ I’m lovin it’
Lu Yao ( Far )
Classmates Say : Man with few but indeed golden words !
I am LU Yao who graduated from Beijing University of Technology (BJUT) with the Bachelor Degree. I was born in 1988 in the Chinese capital – Beijing. While in my teenage period, China was undergoing a period of rapid growing in urban development, the living environment of urban citizen had tremendous changes; of course, there were the attendant problems and conflicts. It was really a frustrating thing when you find the singing birds and fragrant flowers was replaced by car horns and parks were dominated by skyscrapers. I often confused why it was in fact a kind of destroy but always called construction? It was in my junior year I first knew the job of urban design which was a jot setting specially for creating more beautiful living environment and was also an art product painting in the city. All of those are what I want. And that is the beginning of my understanding toward urban design and also the start point of my enthusiasm toward this subject. Besides, in spare time, I like travelling, swimming, watching movies, reading as well as playing computer games.
Georgia Giannopoulou
I am Georgia Giannopoulou and I have been the Degree Programme Director of the MA in Urban Design since 2008. I am an architect in training and a practising Urban Designer. I teach the core design modules in the course and my main research and practice interests are sustainable communities and culture-led regeneration. I am the Regional Convenor for the Urban Design Group in Newcastle and actively promote excellence in urban design and multidisciplinarity through this role. I have a keen interest in people above all and in my spare time I read psychology and dance.
Aidan Oswell
I am Aidan Oswell. I am not a full-time academic although I have worked as a visiting lecturer at Northumbria, Newcastle and London South Bank Universities since 1994. I am primarily an entrepreneur and operate my own business – Portland Community Regeneration Ltd (www.portlandregen.com). I am also an independent Board Member of Isos Housing Limited. And I have been instrumental in launching/managing a number of locally-focussed cultural campaigns including successfully lobbying for a proper public celebration of the 150th anniversary of the “Blaydon Races” anthem in 2012. I am a deeply proud and passionate Geordie. I play a wide range of musical instruments including our own Northumbrian Smallpipes. And I brew fantastic home-made beer!
