Sustainable Urban Development

General information

This course is currently under development. You can sign up here for the course updates. 

* Please note that for EU participants, the VAT of 21% will apply. The tuition fee stated above is excluding the VAT.

What will I learn?

Today more people live in cities than ever before. This phenomenon creates opportunities and challenges which requires experts with combined skills in infrastructure, economic development, affordable land and housing markets, sustainable planning and resilience to climate change to manage increasingly complex cities.

The course on Sustainable Urban Development allows you to merge an academic specialisation course with a multidisciplinary project where you apply theory into practice.

You will share classes with our MSc in Urban Management and Development (UMD) students as you choose your individual learning track through one of the six UMD specialisation courses:

Based on your choice, you will learn more on addressing urban challenges focusing on housing, planning, land, infrastructure, finance, environment, climate change and economic development. As the programme is combined with the MSc in Urban Management & Development, it provides those interested in the MSc programme with a sample of the entire course.

The multidisciplinary project of SUD requires you to address an urban challenge in Rotterdam. Every year the project changes as you get to work for the city of Rotterdam on contemporary urban management issues. Participants have worked on sustainable strategies for a post-war residential high-rise neighbourhood, reinventing the use of a former factory building and its surroundings in a former city harbour and the sustainable redevelopment of an industrial area and improving the residential neighbourhood. Although the projects change, they are characterised by the fact that stakeholders in the city commission them. They require a multidisciplinary approach, and they are supported by specific action planning methods to address the challenges presented. Lastly, most projects link to the cross-cutting theme of heritage.

How will I learn?

During the first week of the programme, you will learn about IHS, your fellow course participants, and you will get an exciting yet concise introduction to urban management and the city of Rotterdam. From the second week onwards, you will begin to study the content of your chosen specialisation through a combination of lectures, practical exercises, case-study analyses, educational games, fieldwork excursions, films, discussions and debates. As each Master track is different, your chosen specialisation may not involve all of the components mentioned above.

Two afternoons per week are dedicated to the multidisciplinary project. With the support of IHS staff, you work in teams with fellow participants on the project in an interactive workshop. These workshops include excursions, site visits, guest speakers, stakeholder consultations and, very importantly, peer learning. The project focuses on knowledge development and the transfer of skills as you present, debate, interview, write a report, and collaborate within and between teams.

Do I have the right profile for this course?

If you are an urban professional with relevant working or research experience looking for an opportunity to boost your academic learning and apply it to practice, then this course is right for you.

You need to be able to work in multidisciplinary teams and across diverse cultures. You will find those fellow participants come from across the globe, presenting a diverse range of professional backgrounds and working in public or private sectors, NGOs, academia, and international organisations.

Please check our admission requirements to ensure you meet the minimum requirements for the course.

Partner

The multidisciplinary project is conducted with local stakeholders in the Netherlands and, in particular, Rotterdam. In addition, several social housing associations, local communities and organisations are involved and previously, the Veldacademie. In line with the cross-cutting theme of 'Heritage' at the IHS, the Dutch Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE) is a valued partner.

Only some of the specialisations are offered in collaboration with a partner – whether this applies to you depends on your individual learning track. 

How to apply

Are you interested in participating in this post-graduate diploma course? Use the "Apply now" button below to submit your application using our new, simplified, user-friendly forms. For questions regarding the application procedure and admission requirements, visit our information page. 

Fellowships

If you are still searching for a sponsor, have a look at our section on available funding opportunities.

Photo credit: Stock photo