Master of Science in Nordic Urban Planning

Program Structure

Nordic Urban Planning Studies is a flexible two-year programme that combines core training across the three universities with opportunities to specialise at each. Recognising that sustainable solutions for major future challenges cannot be solved with one professionalism alone, it takes an interdisciplinary approach that equips you to solve real-life complex problems, including through group and individual research projects.

The first semester at Roskilde University(RUC) provides grounding in urban theory and approaches to planning. Following the distinctive RUC way of teaching, the study structure is based on 50% of courses and 50% of group project work.

In the second semester, you choose a track from either RUC or Malmö University. At Roskilde University the focus is on how globalisation and its mobilities are transforming cities and urban life, and on tools for analysing planning processes and working with different urban actors. You gain training in GIS and a range of participatory, creative and qualitative methods, while half of your study is devoted to a group project or a project-oriented internship.

At Malmö University you develop proficiencies in identifying, analysing and communicating contemporary urban challenges and issues, relating especially to socially sustainable planning. Methods training is combined with an opportunity to develop your interests and skills through project research.

The third semester emphasises planning practice as you choose a track from either UiT or RUC. At UiT The Arctic University of Norway you address urban challenges, opportunities and the planning of Arctic cities in a global context. That is through an Arctic field course, involving methods training and exploring urban development and planning in Tromsø. Urban development and geopolitics of the North are also examined in relation to macro trends in the Global South.

At Roskilde University you develop your planning interests and competencies through either an extended group project or an internship. This is combined with training in urban project management and also in ethnography and visualisation for planning practice, which you develop through working with an external organisation or company.

Learning Outcomes

The Master’s programme in Nordic Urban Planning Studies provides the student with the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The students will have:

• research-based knowledge and critical insight into how economic, political and cultural processes create in practice the conditions and the framework conditions for planning and urban development, including knowledge of the economics and profitability of specific urban development projects.
• knowledge and understanding of business models, profitability, investment basis and the preparation of tender documents.
• knowledge of strategic planning and urban planning strategies in a local, national and global field of tension.
• knowledge and understanding of intercultural planning, everyday life and cultural diversity as the basic conditions of globalised cities and planning challenges.
• knowledge of the practical application of geographic information systems (GIS), mapping and visualisation, as well as
• knowledge of the use of various quantitative and qualitative methodological tools for analysis.
• knowledge of citizen involvement, network management and participatory planning processes.
• knowledge and understanding of project management, innovation and negotiation in complex urban management networks.
• knowledge of Nordic planning traditions and of the challenges, opportunities and constraints of welfare planning.

Skills

The students will have the capacity to:

• apply relevant theories and methods from a critical perspective, and the ability to translate knowledge into action, advice and innovation in relation to challenges in planning and urban development from an international perspective.
• critically reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of relevant theories and methods, as well as the ability to apply them in practice in analyses of specific urban problems from a local and global perspective.
• analyse urban issues from the point of view of multiple players and intercultural perspectives, and propose comprehensive solutions and business models in urban development and planning.
• carry out economic, political, social and intercultural analyses of urban issues and synthesise these into an overall analysis, including financial cost-effectiveness analyses of specific planning and urban development projects.
• clearly communicate analyses and conclusions to different target groups, and a learned ability to engage in dialogue with relevant stakeholders within the area of urban planning and development.
• independently and creatively identify, formulate and analyse the city as a spatial field, and on this basis propose strategies for action.
• collaborate in, lead and manage delimited projects dealing with urban issues and urban renewal.

Competence

The students will be able to:

• collaborate to produce new value-adding ideas and solutions to complex urban problems.
• enter into negotiations-oriented urban development networks and processes, and coordinate and implement urban development and planning strategies on the basis of a holistic understanding of the city’s challenges.
• manage and implement development projects and conclude agreements with key players.
• enter into interdisciplinary project cooperation and build bridges between many different disciplines within urban planning and development, including the ability to create an interplay between design-related, technical, economic and broader social science knowledge.
• turn business-related, technical and methodological skills into innovative and alternative approaches to urban development and planning issues.
• have intercultural understanding and the competencies to navigate global urban development networks.
• identify, understand and engage relevant players in international urban development projects.

Job Prospectives

Nordic Urban Planning qualifies you for a wide range of job opportunities. Graduates will be attractive to businesses, public authorities and organisations working nationally and internationally with cities, regions and urban life, including:

• Project leaders and entrepreneurs in urban consultancies
• Managers, facilitators and coordinators of city development in international planning, design and consultancy companies
• Urban planners and social innovators for international organizations and NGOs
• Urban planners for local, regional and national public authorities and municipalities
• Advisory positions in the public and private sectors working to build urban futures
• Research positions, including within universities (providing a strong basis for PhD studies).