COURSE CURRICULUM

The Strategic Urban Planning and Policy Analysis program at IHS offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexity of contemporary cities. Spanning three main blocks across the academic year, the program blends theoretical frameworks with practical exercises, ensuring students develop both analytical and applied capabilities.In Block 1, from September to January, students engage with foundational courses in Urban Governance and Participation, Urban Complexity, and Urban Data Analytics. These courses explore key concepts such as participatory governance, corruption, urban finances, and the dynamics of cities as Complex Adaptive Systems. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills are developed to support evidence-based decision-making and informed urban planning strategies.Block 2, from January to April, deepens expertise in planning approaches, urban visions, and strategic policy and decision-making. Students examine diverse planning theories, sustainability, resilience, inclusivity, and justice, while exploring the practical implications of public participation and deliberative democracy. Hands-on case study exercises, including projects in Rotterdam, allow students to analyse urban-social characteristics, policy frictions, and stakeholder dynamics. Additional courses, including Research Design, GIS, and the Urban Resilience City Strategy Workshop, provide practical tools to develop comprehensive urban strategies, integrating socio-spatial, economic, and environmental components.Block 3, from April to August, focuses on developing and executing independent academic research. Students complete a Research Proposal and Master Thesis under supervision, applying their acquired skills to critically assess socio-spatial dynamics, engage stakeholders, and synthesize creative solutions for complex urban problems. By the end of the program, graduates are equipped to strategically plan, evaluate, and implement policies that balance competing interests and drive sustainable urban development, while effectively communicating ideas in written, visual, and oral formats.