About the programme
The MSc in Urban Management and Development is a 12-month English-taught multidisciplinary programme offered in six specialised master tracks. This structure allows IHS students to specialise within their chosen field whilst benefiting from a broader understanding of urban management offered at IHS.
Cities are in a constant state of unprecedented change. Between now and 2030, urban areas are expected to triple in surface and by 2050, 68% of the population will reside in cities. Population movements of this scale create multi-level physical, economic, environmental and social challenges. To remain sustainable, liveable and competitive cities need urban managers who are well-trained in policy development and good governance. The MSc programme focuses on socio-spatial dynamics in planning, climate resilience, local economic innovation, housing from a human rights and gender perspective, sustainability and green cities (infrastructure, energy and water), land law and finance, and regenerative natural resource management. The MSc is designed to equip students with the skills to solve contemporary urban issues in their countries through progressive policy-making. A key feature of the programme is the use of comparative methodologies to discuss urban issues, policies and trends from around the world.
Master tracks
How is your year organised?
In the first and second block, the programme shares courses on urban theory, governance, policy, planning, and public-private partnerships, and local government finance and investment with the other specialisation tracks. However, your assignments with the modules as well as the action planning workshop are always track-specific. In the third block, your courses will only be track-specific with the possibility to take an extra elective course. In the fourth block of the programme you will strengthen your research skills through research methods courses and workshops and write your thesis on a topic relevant to your specialisation track.
Why study the MSc in Urban Management & Development?
The programme is a great opportunity to learn from urban policy advisors and real-life case studies while studying at a top-100 university.
What is it like to be a part of the classroom?
The content is delivered through a blend of lectures with case studies, discussions, working groups, group assignments, and fieldwork. Below, you can see a few examples of activities that take place during the courses.
Meet the IHS lecturers
Our lecturers spend a substantial amount of time working on real-life projects across the globe. See what they are up to now!
Student news
PhD focus: Daniel Adamu on tackling affordable housing issues
BlogpostDr Daniel Adamu, former PhD candidate at IHS, has recently defended his doctoral thesis. Find out more about his experience in this article.
OKP Scholarship Webinar, Latin America
BlogpostLast year, a couple of our Urban Management and Development Master students, Nadia Cortes and Esteban Zuluaga from Colombia, held a Webinar on the Orange Knowledge Programme Scholarship.
Alumni spotlight: Dianne Wakonyo on ‘Creative Cities are Safer Cities’
BlogpostMore than half of the world population lives in cities. With booming urbanization, we have not only achieved unprecedented progress, but also high levels of crime, violence and conflict.
Alumni spotlight: Aida Bubic ‘Working for Rotterdam is a dream’
BlogpostAida Bubic is an IHS alumna and an expert with decades of experience in architecture and urban planning. She has been working as an urban planner within the Municipality of Rotterdam for over 24 years