One-Year Master's in

Urban Sustainability Planning
and Design

About the Program

The Master’s program in Urban Sustainability Planning and Design aims to develop the expertise and leadership of professionals in urban planning and design with a strong emphasis on evaluation and application of sustainability. Through place-based and holistic approaches, the program covers urban systems planning and design for multi-scale (incl. metropolitan and building), cross-sector (e.g., ecology, energy, material and waste, water, climate, health, food, and mobility), and multi-agent decision making, in support of integrated, evolutionary and transformational change towards sustainability.  

The participants will acquire the knowledge and develop the necessary skills through applications with advanced technology and design tools for enhancing capacity, also in specific themes, e.g., ageing society, smart communities, healthy and inclusive cities, that are essential to sustainability planning and design processes relevant in the Asia-Pacific region and worldwide.

USPD Program Highlights

  • A unique blend of trans-disciplinary of systems planning and design, to cope with emerging urban sustainability’s needs, challenges and opportunities
  • Opportunities for international exchange, joint research and internship, in both public and private sectors as well as professional networks
  • The program is well-regarded and connected internationally by donor agencies, governments, professional associations and industries
  • Small-group settings to work closely among international faculty and students from across the region
  • Strong support in study and English proficiency in our vibrant, international, multi-cultural, and welcoming community

SDG Keys

Sustainable development is an integral part of our program. The key Sustainable Development Goals addressed by the USPD program are:

Who should apply

Both young professionals and fresh graduates from fields relevant to sustainability and environmental sciences, urban planning and design, architecture and engineering, geography, and natural and social sciences

Course Structure

The curriculum includes a core of required courses, laying the foundation of urban systems planning and design fields, with a diverse selection of electives. Combined, these courses link knowledge and practice with skills and fundamental theories.  A minimum of 30 credits over 2+ semesters is required to complete the program.
Course Title Status Credit(s) Instructor Semester
Urban Environmental Management Systems
Required
3 (3-0)
UEM/SERD
August
Urban Planning and Built Environment
Required
3 (3-0)
UEM/SERD
August
Climate Compatible and Infrastructure Development
Elective
3 (3-0)
CCSD/SERD
August
Smart Energy Buildings
Elective
3 (3-0)
Energy/SERD
August
Introduction to Development and Sustainability
Elective
2 (2-0)
DS/SERD
August
Water-Energy-Food Nexus
Required
3 (3-0)
DDS/SERD
January
Urban Sustainability Design – Concepts and Practices
Required
3 (1-6)
DDS/SERD
January
Mega-city Development and Management
Elective
3 (3-0)
UEM/SERD
January
Population and Health for Sustainability Planning and Design
Elective
3 (3-0)
DDS/SERD
January
Managing Technology and Innovation
Elective
3 (3-0)
SOM
January
Information Systems Development and Management
Elective
3 (3-0)
ICT/SET
January
Urban Geography and Spatial Analysis
Elective
3 (2-3)
UEM/SERD
Inter Semester
Urban Resilience Assessment
Elective
2 (2-0)
UEM/SERD
Inter Semester
Urban Landscape and Sustainable Tourism
Elective
2 (2-0)
DDS/SERD
Inter Semester
Building Information Modelling and Systems
Elective
2 (2-0)
PM-CE/SET
Inter Semester
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