What does this study entail?
Cities are complex, dynamic systems influenced by a myriad of stakeholders. Strategic planning is an approach that seeks to guide instead of control urban development. Urban planning requires more flexible approaches that recognise the complexity of cities, embrace urban sustainability and the open-ended aspects of urban development processes, acknowledge stakeholders’ needs, and balance specific and shared interests. This programme will give you the qualifications to become an urban professional specialising in strategic urban planning and policy analysis.
Traditional urban planning can no longer deal with the complexity of urban problems and accommodate the needs of stakeholders. Instead, urban planning requires a more flexible approach that embraces the open-ended aspects of urban development processes and acknowledges the different stakeholders’ needs. Strategic urban planning calls for a diverse set of knowledge and skills among urban planners for stakeholder management, socio-spatial analysis and critical reflection of problems and solutions. In this programme, you will examine the complex or ‘wicked’ problems that planners face and must address in planning practice, for example: How to mediate conflicting interests within large-scale development projects? How to account for uncertainties in the implementation of ambitious, future-oriented planning visions? How to influence visions and strategies for sustainable and inclusive urban futures that build on place-based potentials?
At the end of this course, participants will have gained the qualifications necessary to become urban development professionals specialising in contemporary planning approaches. In addition, students will have the opportunity to apply their learnings by working on real cases in Rotterdam and worldwide.
Why study at Erasmus University Rotterdam
Earn your MSc degree from a top 100 university in Rotterdam
Erasmus University Rotterdam, consistently ranking in the top 3% globally, is celebrated for academic excellence while Rotterdam is known for iconic architecture, pioneering urban planning, and multicultural vibrancy.You apply everything you learn
Students engage in a diverse learning experience through lectures, case studies, debates, simulations, assignments, and field visits in Rotterdam and other Dutch cities, with the option for thesis fieldwork abroad.Our teaching methods are unique
IHS faculty members engage in real-world cases globally, integrating challenges, learnings, and questions from these experiences into our curriculum.We offer a truly international and diverse environment
The IHS classroom comprises mid-level professionals and fresh graduates with rich and varied experiences from more than 45 countries.
IHS’ inspiring environment which connects people from different cultures and professional backgrounds is the embodiment of ‘unity in diversity’.
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What are some of the special features of this track?
Next to earning your MSc diploma from Erasmus University Rotterdam, an institution that is consistently ranked among the top 3% of the world’s best universities, studying the Strategic Urban Planning & Policies track also means that you will get to:
Learn to use a variety of analytical tools and methods
Students will learn to use a variety of analytical tools and research methods to assess the socio-spatial dynamics of cities, the intended and unintended consequences of development policies and plans, and the reasons for developmental stalemates and frictions.
Gain stakeholder engagement skills
Multi-stakeholder involvement is vital in planning processes. However, there are obstacles to “real participation”, e.g due to power imbalances and conflicting interests. Some stakeholders might be more influential than others. In this master track, you will learn how to lead and manage stakeholder negotiation processes. .
Learn to deal with ambitious and future-oriented planning projects
This track focuses on the speculative and visionary nature of urban planning and development. Students will learn scenario modelling techniques and policy measurement and evaluation methods to grapple with the uncertainties of urban futures.
Work on real-life case studies
As part of the course’s graded assignment, students will work in groups to examine closely urban development and planning projects in diverse regional contexts, including Rotterdam. The assignments will allow students to directly apply the theoretical concepts they have learned in class to real-world situations, thus allowing them the opportunity to see how theory can be strategically used to deliberate on practical and urgent urban problems.
#4 for Public Administration
worldwide for Public Administration Shanghai Ranking
#13 for Development Studies
worldwide for Development Studies QS World University Ranking
#99 Worldwide
worldwide Times Higher Education (500)
