Spatial Planning

Challenges such as the current pressure on the housing market and the transition to sustainable energy are all about the changing ways in which we use space. Do you want to contribute? With its unique combination of academic and professional skills, our one-year Master’s programme Spatial Planning gives you everything you need in a single package.

Broad package in one year

Our Master’s programme offers a wide range of knowledge and skills that together cover all aspects of spatial planning. Do you want to work as a researcher? You will learn first-rate analytic and methodological skills. But you will also be fully prepared for a professional career – with local authorities for instance, or as a consultant. This includes learning how to write policies and visions, contribute to stakeholder engagement processes, and address complex societal problems.

Link to planning practice is key

One of the ways in which Spatial Planning in Utrecht is unique, is in offering you the opportunity to connect to planning practice. The programme provides an invaluable introduction to the professional field and its real-world challenges. And do not be surprised if after your studies, you end up finding employment at the place where you did your internship. Many of our students do.

After my Master’s I am looking forward to inspiring more people to think about planning as a future-oriented field of work.

Why in Utrecht

If you study Spatial Planning at Utrecht University, you will:

• Get a thorough introduction to all aspects of planning, theoretical as well as practical. During your studies, you will often find planners on the cutting edge between academia and society, so closeness to administrative practice is an integral part.
• Learn about the importance of planning for sustainability issues: what makes a city sustainable, now and in the future?
• Explore the complexities of governance and social justice in a planning context: without broad support, even your best solutions will not work. 
• Be trained using innovative methods, including 'studios' where you work together with other students to solve real-world problems for a (fictional) client.
• Have the freedom to develop your own focus. Recent examples of topics students have worked on are the role of civil society organisations in the debate around Schiphol Airport, and how municipalities and water authorities collaborate to address climate mitigation issues.
• Be encouraged to do an internship with a relevant business or organisation, as an integral part of your one year. During your internship, you will have easy access to experts who can help you develop your chosen focus.
• Consider and compare internationally diverse cases. Dutch planning has an excellent international reputation, but there have been exciting developments in the Global South: in cities in Africa, Asia and Latin-America. As part of the programme, an international field trip will help you broaden your perspective.