Want to raise your professional status and career opportunities?

It is time to have your unique skills and years of urban design experience recognised with real professional status.  The letters ‘RUDA’ after your name signals to the industry you:

  • Practice urban design as a profession

  • Have the requisite years of on-the-job experience as endorsed by respected peers

  • Are skilled in all five essential aspects of urban design

  • Synthesise, author and draw with clarity and insight

  • Combine technical knowledge with creative problem solving

  • Work in three dimensions, at multiple physical and time scales

  • Actively collaborate in multi-disciplinary teams

  • Are committed to professional development and ethical practice

Being a UDA Registered Urban Designer sets you apart

Becoming a UDA Registered Urban Designer (RUDA) demonstrates you have the high standards of knowledge, skills and experience recognised by a membership association specifically for urban design.  Being a Registered Urban Designer shows a high level of professional integrity and a commitment to continuing professional development. 

Choose From Four Application Pathways

The profession of urban design draws talented people from a variety of built environment origins.  And while some people may have post-graduate degrees in urban design, others have developed their skills and knowledge over decades of practice.  The UDA registration scheme recognises this situation with four application pathways:

Pathway 1

Pathway one suits people with two built environment design degrees of at least 4.5 years study and a minimum of 5 five years urban design work experience.

Pathway 2

Pathway two suits people with a tertiary degree and at least seven years of urban design work experience.

Pathway 3

Pathway three is for experienced urban designers with at least ten years urban design experience.

Pathway 4

Pathway four is for people registered with an urban design organisation that has equivalent professional registration requirements to the UDA.

How to apply to be a RUDA

The assessment criteria, detailed instructions and application form can be downloaded, filled in and submitted to registration@urbandesignnsw.org

Applications for registration must include statements of support from two sponsors, one of whom must already be a UDA Registered Urban Designer.  Sponsors play an important role in the application process, reviewing the application before declaring they believe you meet the requirements.  If you do not know any UDA Registered Urban Designers, a list is available for you to make contact.

Applications are accepted at particular times of the year.  The next application period opens on 15 November 2024 and closes on 1 December 2024.

Application Fees

The application fee is paid in two stages.

Lodgement of application form is a fee of $150.

If your application progresses to the interview stage, a fee of $300 is payable.

If your application is successful, you will be invited to become a Registered Urban Designer member of the UDA, with an annual membership fee of $260.  Payment of annual fees is required to maintain your registration.