Urban Management Program

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The three-semester Master Course in Urban Management is open for graduates from various disciplines. It has a focus on development situations in the South and transition countries. The course offers training in management approaches that cross the boundaries of isolated professional knowledge and aims to present workable solutions for city management. The issues addressed are related to the most urgent problems of urban development in many countries, including environmental degradation, uncontrolled urban growth, insecure land tenure, substandard housing conditions for the urban poor, and inadequate decision making and local planning systems. Teaching draws on case studies and experience gained by local governments, NGOs, and the private sector. German language courses are offered throughout the first year. The course language is English.

The duration of the Master Course is 3 semesters including a master thesis. Two semesters are reserved for classes at the Technical University Berlin. The third semester is dedicated to further specialization and the preparation of a master thesis. Topics addressing issues derived from problems in the students home countries are encouraged. The program also involves internships in relevant institutions in Germany or abroad.

The number of participants is limited to a maximum of 25 people per course. Most of the students will come from non-European countries. Graduates from Germany and other EU countries planning a career in development organizations are also invited to apply. The course is open to graduates from any country holding a bachelor degree or an equivalent in urban development-related fields. So far our students come from the following countries:

Albania, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Lybia, Nepal, Northern Iraq, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Palestine, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, South Corea and USA.

1st semester:
creating a common knowledge base including subjects such as urbanization history and theory, concepts of sustainable development, public administration and management, planning and management methodology, urban economics, urban planning.
2nd semester:
creating knowledge in core areas of urban management, including subjects such as land management, environmental management, financial management, urban planning techniques, traffic and transportation management, management of infrastructure and public services, urban water, housing.
3rd semester:
thesis preparation. Theses may be prepared in the participants' home countries with supervision via internet.
Internships:
Details available on request.

Bachelor degree or an equivalent in urban development-related fieldsAt least 2 years practical experience in a field related to urban managementA good standard of English English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6 TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test: 79 Work Experience At least 2 year(s) of work experience is required.

Accreditation

The Urban Management Master Course was accredited in 2004 and started in the fall of 2005. The internationally recognized Master of Science Degree in Urban Management is awarded for the successful completion of the program.

In 2008, the UM Course was re-accreditated by the ZeVA. The accreditation is valid until 2016.