Senior Urban Designer — Lead Master Plans and Place-Making

Zohorecruit; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

dhk Architects in Cape Town is seeking a Senior Urban Designer to lead diverse urban design projects locally and internationally. You will collaborate with internal architecture and landscape teams and external consultants to shape public spaces and master plans.

The role values strong conceptual design, spatial understanding, and a passion for how cities function. Applicants should have a postgraduate urban design qualification and a robust portfolio; SACAP/UDISA registration is advantageous.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in Urban Design or Architecture with urban design focus.
• Minimum 5 years’ post-graduate experience in urban design.
• Robust portfolio of urban frameworks, master plans, and design reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead urban design projects from inception to report production and concept development.
• Integrate landscape and public realm thinking into urban frameworks and master plans.
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver sustainable, people-centered environments.
• Contribute to the strategic vision of urban interventions aligned with the firm’s ethos.
• Engage with clients, municipalities and stakeholders on spatial plans.
• Translate complex urban challenges into practical design responses.
• Prepare design reports, visualisations, and presentations.
• Champion design excellence, sustainability, and contextual responsiveness.

Skills

Graphic + drawing skills

Illustrative communication

Report writing

Strategic thinking

Visual narratives

Mapping / GIS awareness

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Mentoring juniors

Detail-oriented

Education

Postgraduate qualification in Urban Design or Architecture (urban design focus)

Tools

AutoCAD

SketchUp

Adobe Suite

Microsoft Office

Rhino

GIS

Job description

dhk Architects in Cape Town is seeking a Senior Urban Designer to lead diverse urban design projects locally and internationally. You will collaborate with internal architecture and landscape teams and external consultants to shape public spaces and master plans.

The role values strong conceptual design, spatial understanding, and a passion for how cities function. Applicants should have a postgraduate urban design qualification and a robust portfolio; SACAP/UDISA registration is advantageous.