The design of urban environments requires the skills of conceptualization at different scales, proposing solutions, and their implementation. Another requirement is developing familiarity with such issues as heterogeneous human populations, dense building stocks, natural and environmental assets, a specialized labor force and a shared urban identity, as well as building an ability to address these issues in design. Finally, it is necessary to master the appropriate use of natural and artificial materials.

Urban projects, of which landscape design is an integral part, have constituted the most intriguing design products in the world during the last two decades. These projects and their implementation have opened discussions leading to contemporary design theories, indicating that the integration of landscape architecture and urban design will further prosper in the future. Addressing the issues of urban context with those of landscape architecture, the department is the first to offer an undergraduate degree. The growing number of academic staff includes faculty who come from various disciplinary backgrounds including landscape architecture, city planning, architecture and anthropology.

Unlike other programs of landscape architecture, the Department of Urban Design and Landscape Architecture at Bilkent University is affiliated with a design faculty focusing on studios. The design studios and the technical and theoretical courses that make up the curriculum are supported by field trips in order to study various urban contexts as their project sites. These trips range from intra-city daily tours to international summer programs.