Master's in Sustainable Urbanism and Spatial Planning

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Master's in Sustainable Urbanism and Spatial Planning

Create the sustainable city of the future.

Sustainable Urbanism and Spatial Planning is an interdisciplinary approach to the planning and management of urban and rural spaces, focusing on promoting sustainable, equitable, and resilient community development.

Sustainable Urbanism aims to create cities and territories that minimize the consumption of natural resources, reduce environmental impacts, promote energy efficiency, improve urban mobility, and guarantee quality of life for all inhabitants.

Spatial Planning involves the creation of policies, regulations, and development plans that guide the growth and expansion of urban and rural areas, ensuring balanced and sustainable development.

The Master's in Sustainable Urbanism and Spatial Planning will give you the future opportunity to create livable, inclusive and resilient spaces that promote quality of life, social equality and environmental protection, contributing to the long-term sustainable development of urban and rural areas.

Why this Master's?

  • This Master's Degree is a response to the urgent need to address emerging challenges related to the sustainability and resilience of cities, the urban environment, and land use planning.
  • It trains professionals capable of responding to the growing demand for qualified specialists in Sustainable Urbanism, Urban Environment, and Spatial Planning.
  • It provides students with interdisciplinary training and the learning of concepts and tools for promoting and evaluating urban and territorial sustainability and community resilience.
  • It aims to equip students with innovative skills for practice and research in the areas of urban planning, urban management, and spatial planning.
  • It offers the opportunity to take part in a study visit to Barcelona, Spain, in the third semester, with expert professors from leading institutions such as the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Travel and accommodation costs for this workshop are covered by NOVA FCT / NOVA FCSH.

Applications 2024/25

3rd Phase: FCSH (1 a 22 de julho)

Available Spots: 30

Duration: 2 years (120 ECTS)

Format: On-site, After Work

Language: Portuguese

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?

Course Coordinator: Margarida Pereira (NOVA FCSH); ma.pereira@fcsh.unl.pt

Course Coordinator: José Carlos Ferreira (NOVA FCT); musot.coordenador@fct.unl.pt

Academic divison: mestrados@fct.unl.pt

I want to apply:
NATIONAL APPLICATIONS
INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS

Program

The Master's Degree in Sustainable Urbanism and Spatial Planning is built upon the excellent research conducted at the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, and the CENSE – Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research of NOVA FCT. Additionally, as this is a Master's degree in association with NOVA FCSH, it also leverages the research conducted in the Department of Geography and Regional Planning.

The teaching staff associated with this Master's degree conducts research in cutting-edge areas within the fields of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Geographical Sciences, Spatial Planning, and Sustainable Urbanism.

Curriculum

For whom

  • Holders of a bachelor's degree or legal equivalent (higher education course of at least 3 years) in areas related to urban studies, sustainability, and land use planning, such as: environmental engineering, geography, architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, civil engineering, sociology, law, transport, economics, history, ecology, biology, geology, or other related academic training, subject to analysis by the course's scientific committee;

  • Holders of a foreign higher academic degree awarded after completing a 1st cycle of studies organized in accordance with the principles of the Bologna Process in the aforementioned scientific areas;

  • Holders of a foreign higher academic degree recognized as meeting the objectives of a bachelor's degree by the scientific council of NOVA FCT in the scientific areas mentioned in the first point;

  • Holders of an academic, scientific, or professional curriculum in the areas mentioned in the first point, recognized as attesting the ability to undertake this cycle of studies by the Council of the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering.

Career opportunities

This is an emerging field, with a growing demand for professionals in both the public and private sectors. Graduates of the Master's in Sustainable Urbanism and Spatial Planning will be equipped to pursue careers in:

  • Large and small consultancy firms, design companies, and auditing firms specializing in urbanism, spatial planning, engineering, environmental studies, architecture, economics, and management, among other fields.
  • Public sector organizations involved in consultancy, design, and auditing related to urbanism, land use planning, and the management of land and urban spaces.
  • Given its significant impact on community quality of life, this field is also a focal point for scientific research. The program also prepares students for further academic pursuits, including doctoral studies.

About the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering

The Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (DCEA), established in 1976, was a pioneer in the teaching of Environmental Engineering. It integrates fundamental skills from various scientific fields with new environmental and digital technologies, embracing interdisciplinarity and sustainability as core pillars.

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