Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam

About IHS

Situated in the heart of Europe's urban innovation hub, Rotterdam, the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS) is a UN-Habitat award-winning institute. As part of the high-ranking Erasmus University Rotterdam (top 2% globally), IHS has been advancing its mission since 1958: to inspire and empower urban professionals and citizens to make cities work for all.

Looking at cities from different perspectives, IHS educates urban professionals with diverse backgrounds, advises national and local governments and conducts cutting-edge urban research. By integrating real-world project experience into teaching, IHS fosters collaboration and the co-creation of urban knowledge. Together with global partners, the institute drives innovation in urban development to improve the well-being of people living in cities.

MSc in Urban Management & Development

The MSc in Urban Management and Development is a 12-month English-taught programme offered in four Master tracks. This structure allows IHS students to specialise further within their chosen field whilst benefiting from a broader understanding of sustainable urban management.

Nowadays, cities are in a constant state of unprecedented change. Between 2020 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 economic, environmental and social challenges. To remain sustainable, liveable and competitive, cities need well-trained urban managers.

The MSc programme focuses on key topics like urban planning, climate resilience, sustainability, good governance, and equitable access to housing and land. It is designed to provide students with the skills to analyse, understand and solve contemporary urban issues through forward-looking policy-making and comparative methodologies. Next to high-quality academic content, the programme also equips students with knowledge of popular data analysis software and negotiation skills.

The four Master tracks are:

• Urban Digital Transformation & Innovation
• Urban Housing & Land Justice
• Strategic Planning & Policies
• Urban Environment, Sustainability & Climate Change

Watch this video to learn more:

Other programmes at IHS

• PhD in Urban Development and Governance 

Career prospectives

Our alumni network includes over 13,000 active urban experts worldwide in the public and private sectors, academia, NGOs, international and multi/bilateral organisations working in urban planning, environment and sustainability, social inclusion, economic growth, urban mobility, and others.

Examples of organisations employing recent IHS graduates:

• Kootenai County Community Development
• Ernst and Young (EY)
• UN-Habitat 
• National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)
• The World Bank 

Join a global community of urban innovators. Apply now and start shaping the cities of tomorrow!