Spatial Planning

Do you want to shape the urban environment of the future? During our one-year Master’s programme Spatial Planning, you will learn about developing innovative concepts and managing complex governance processes for the sustainable use of spatial resources.

Contribute to sustainable and inclusive spatial policy

Many stakeholders have different ideas on how to use urban land. As a planner, you will learn to understand and balance them and find sustainable solutions. In the Spatial Planning Master’s programme you will learn how to apply appropriate methods and instruments that contribute to sustainable, smart, and inclusive spatial plans.

Integrated and interdisciplinary: develop your specialisation

Within Utrecht’s Master’s programme Spatial Planning students lead their own specialisation. This means there is no specific track on sectoral aspects of spatial planning, but a broad and interdisciplinary curriculum that embraces an integrated perspective to spatial planning. Students are supported throughout their study and encouraged to find and develop their own specialisation, which is relevant to address societal issues and contribute to scientific discussions.

Students take the lead and can develop their focus. Which urban issues will you identify as your topic? Where is your passion for spatial planning? With the Utrecht Master’s programme Spatial Planning you will be trained to apply academic skills and theoretical knowledge to societal challenges and practical situations. The integral and interdisciplinary link between practical problems and planning practice is strongly embedded in the entire curriculum.

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

Programme objective

The Spatial Planning Master’s programme prepares you to approach issues such as: facilitating sustainable urban (re)development, finding answers to changing socio-spatial demands (such as demographic or climate change), dealing with complexities of metropolitan areas and real estate development in difficult economic times, or governance of environmental changes in an uncertain climate. You will be trained in:

• analysing spatial problems with dedicated spatial research methods;
• applying innovative knowledge and theories to come up with appropriate solutions;
• evaluating and prioritising alternative spatial development options;
• conceptualising the governance and management of cities;
• understanding and applying normative and analytical insights from different planning theoretical debates;
• engaging in real world planning situations and advice on transforming cities for tomorrow. 

Why in Utrecht

Studying Spatial Planning at Utrecht University has several advantages and benefits.

• Bridging practice and research is an essential and fundamental characteristic of the Utrecht model of spatial planning education. This is why the topic of your Master’s thesis will be directly related to a societal problem in spatial planning. Moreover, there is space for doing an internship programme. This is unique to spatial planning programmes in the Netherlands.
• The Spatial Planning Master’s programme at Utrecht University is associated with esteemed professors with considerable experience in the field. Please read more about our teaching staff.
• The programme offers individual specialisations through its interdisciplinary and integrated approach to planning.