- Why do urban areas differ in terms of economic innovation, creativity and quality of life?
- How do social and economic inequality and tensions between lifestyles in cities arise?
- Which governance systems and policies are most effective to address social, economic, cultural and mobility issues of the urbanised world?
- How can we use and develop scientific theories and methodologies to investigate these issues?
Developments in the urbanised world
Cities are becoming the ‘natural’ habitats of people and firms. Today more than half of the world population lives in cities and this share is expected to reach 70% by 2050. Within these cities, complex and dynamic relationships between inhabitants, visitors, firms and institutions foster innovation, creativity and economic growth, which contribute to quality-of-life and prosperity.
However, increasing urbanisation may also lead to social and economic inequalities, tensions between lifestyles and threats to health and well-being. Urban areas worldwide are diverse and experience varying developments, due to differences in their position in globalised urban systems, their location in a developed or developing country and specific cultural, social, political and physical characteristics.
Reasons behind the diverse developments in the urbanised world
In this Research Master’s programme you will study the reasons behind the diverse developments in the urbanised world, learn to translate up-to-date theoretical and methodological developments in human geography and planning into empirical research and to formulate effective policy recommendations to make cities more viable.
Research skills and ethics
Acquiring research skills and ethics is a principal aim of this Master’s programme, therefore it includes various courses on research skills and philosophy. More importantly, throughout the programme students are stimulated to participate in research, carry out their own research and discuss their research with peers and seniors. To this end, our students form an integral part of the URU research community.
Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Planning
Our department holds a unique position as the leading centre for academic research and teaching in academic and professional organisations in Human Geography and Planning in the Netherlands. The staff of the acclaimed Urban and Regional research centre of Utrecht (URU) supports a high standard of teaching in a wide range of specialisations.
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NVAO accredited programme
This Master’s programme has been accredited by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO).
Find out more about the NVAO |
Interested in this programme?
