There are two types of course modules run over the first year: the foundations run weekly throughout the semester and are intended to provide an interdisciplinary orientation of the specialized and intensive thematic courses that follow one after the other in short intervals.

The thematic courses are either mandatory or elective. There is a given choice of additional and not prescribed courses from other faculties and universities, too.

The second year does not require attendance of specific courses in Germany but is composed of three elements, which are (a) a term at an overseas’ university or internship, (b) field research and (c) preparation and defence of the master’s thesis.

Detailed course description and a reading list for each course has been provided and can be consulted by clicking the respective title underneath.

Contemporary Urban Development in the South (P)

Good overview of subjects related to urban planning and building

Appropriate urban Infrastructure planning (P)

Overview on problems and sustainable solutions in water, sanitation, waste & transport

Socio-economic and cultural challenges (P)

Knowledge on sociological, historical, political and ethological interrelations

Interdisciplinary analysis and integrated development
Understanding of the necessity for interdisciplinary responses to apparently sector related problems

Course: Excursion (P)
Comparison of European reality with Third World setting

Course: Electives (P)
Specialization according to the students own interests

Strategic Urban Planning (P)
Knowledge of up-to date pro­cess oriented planning instru­ments, development control

Urban Strategies towards Globalization pressures (P)
Analysis of impact of international socio-economic analysis on urban development

Regional planning Challenges (P)

Introduction to rural-urban inter-linkages, decentralized urbanization and inter-municipal co-ordination

Local economies, SME support and the solidarity economy (W)

Familiarization with current poverty reduction approaches

Decentralization and urban management & finance (P)

Discussion of new administrative aspects of urban planning in the South

Urban land management practices, land rights and legalization (P)
Knowledge of tested instruments of land regulation and finance

Housing for the poor: supply, tenure and finance (P)

Basic principles, pitfalls and challenges of social housing policies.

Slum and neighbourhood improvement (P)
Overview over current practice and experiences with slum upgrading projects

Improvement of large housing estates (W)
Typical problem analysis of problems with satellite settlements and possible practical approaches

Housing tenure and finance (including micro credits) (W)

Familiarization with housing finance options for low-income populations

Although the ever lasting discourse continues about the influence of design on social and economic matters there is no doubt about the importance of good and responsible urban design on the ecology and on a city’s international reputation. Basic design principles will be taught – especially directed to course participants without a professional urban planning background.

Principles of urban design (P)

Good understanding of spatial and social qualities of space between buildings, landscaping (output oriented)

Participatory planning and design, (social inter-) mediation (P)
Preparation for responding to inner-city conflicts of interest Introduction, case studies and exercises in different participatory options
(process oriented)

Urban heritage preservation and inner city revitalization (W)

Preparation on dealing with historic urban fabric: space, management, economy

Urban planning for mega events & city marketing (W)

Planning for Tourism, Eco- and Industrial & Leisure Parks,

Environmental Impact Assessment (W)

Training in different EIA practices, plus case study

Urban farming (W)

Introduction to planning considerations for urban agriculture in the South

Sustainable urban sanitation planning (P)

Familiarization with alternative & low-cost infrastructure solutions in the South

Appropriate Urban Mobility Approaches (P)

Capability to intelligently assess urban mobility demands and schemes

Building healthy cities (W)

Analysis of practical implications of UN-program

Appropriate technologies for construction (W)

Systematic overview of low-cost and ecological building materials and techniques

Disaster mitigation in human settlements (W)

Knowledge on preventing and responding to natural disasters as a planner

Remote sensing and mapping for urban planning (A)

Introduction on modern land surveying techniques

Urban social issues:
class, underdevelopment, poverty and poverty alleviation (P)

Introduction to theories of urban sociology and planning implications in respect to Third World cities

Conflict management , negotiation and mediation (P)

Training on how to deal with conflicts in urban issues – in peace and conflict zones

Gender friendly cities (P)

Raising of gender aw¬areness in planning practice (standard project requirement)

Cultural identity and religion as urban development factors (W)

Exercise in applying socio-cultural need in urban management and design

Migration, segregation, differentiation and minority focus (W)

Consideration of special planning needs for migrants and other minority groups

Urban Crime and Violence Prevention (W)

Knowledge on current planning responses to urban violence prevention

Project planning and evaluation methods

Familiarization and training in project planning techniques applied by co-operation agen¬cies

Development aid and funding agencies/ project formulation conventions

Overview of principal funding agencies and possible ways to convince them

Project finance and flow of project funds

Familiarization with cost forecasting and fund administration techniques

New media, communication and visual presentation training (W)

Practice in technical and psychological aspects of communication and project presentation

Research methods and thesis management (P)

Preparation for thesis writing, principles of scientific research

Teaching and training didactics (P)

Preparation in teaching skills

Field study methodology (A)

Preparation for field research requirements (including SPSS)

Evaluation of quantitative research data (A)

Working knowledge of statistical data packs such as SPSS

Exchange term in a postgraduate urban planning master course in another country (P)

Additional chance of specialization; knowledge of a different academic culture, acquisition of international contacts, country experience

Internship in a project implementation agency (P)

Acquisition of practical experience in project management (office work)

Field research

Practice in research field work and acquisition of country knowledge

Project field work

Practice in project management and country knowledge, experience of project stress and team work

Dissertation

Practice and proof of acquired skills in scientific problem analysis and report writing

Presentation/ defence of thesis

Understanding of context of research topic