The extraordinary effects of urbanization are now deeply interconnected with many of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Cities around the world recognize that they can no longer ignore the scale of the political, socioeconomic, and environmental problems which often define the urban experience. These impacts – such as the erosion of public spaces, community displacement, traffic congestion, pollution and environmental damage, outdated and failing infrastructure, sharpening inequalities in wealth, health and well-being – are pervasive. The MSc in International Planning and Urban Design is designed to equip individuals with the skills needed to analyze, understand, and confront these challenges.

Today, the speed and scope of urbanization is intertwined with the need for immediate and profound response to the environmental climate crises facing the planet. The work of critical planners and innovative urban designers is now imperative as society seeks to overcome the most profound challenges facing humanity: how can cities be (re)created to meet the needs of citizens today while ensuring the sustainability of our collective global future?

In response to these immense challenges, national governments, municipal authorities, and communities alike require the assistance of practitioners of planning and urban design in their quest for the revolutionary reimagining of the possibility of cities. This program will support individuals in developing a powerful range of skills and aptitudes for research, design, and critical thinking - tools that are vital for practitioners seeking to engage with communities, developers, politicians, and institutions - to help create healthy, vibrant, and sustainable cities.