Study Programme

With our international Masters Programmes, going back to 1999, we attract an international league of dedicated students with different cultural backgrounds and multiple perspectives on the "urban". We expect our applicants to be committed to further develop and exchange their knowledge while bringing a strong personal and professional interest in the field of urban development and design in practice and applied research.

With the special notion on system approaches students are trained in using and applying computational urban design tools in support of analysing and simulating urban design scenarios in an interdisciplinary way. 

Architects, urban designers, landscape architects, urban planners and adjacent disciplines are important spatial professionals who deal with complex urban systems. It is increasingly important to develop interdisciplinary solutions for more sustainable forms of settlement in co-operation with other specialist disciplines, which enable a holistic approach to supply and transport systems as well as resources such as land, energy, water and food. The implementation of such approaches requires not only analytical knowledge of their interrelationships, but also instruments to ensure early integration in urban development.

The Master's programme "Integrated Urban Development and Design (IUDD)" enables students to learn corresponding solution-oriented strategies and instruments and to apply them in practice. The training programme is strongly project-related, application-oriented and research-based. Based on the principles of integrated urban development student skills are enhanced by innovative, digital planning methods (algorithmic design and analysis models as well as artificial intelligence methods). The degree programme places particular emphasis on learning and applying computer-aided, system-based planning techniques.

Taking holistic, ecological, social and cultural aspects into account, the theoretical fundaments are taught in the 1. semester, while these are deepened in the 2. semester using innovative digital methods for urban analysis and modelling in the Study Projects. Students acquire explorative-experimental as well as research-related and application-orientated skills. In the 3. semester, both approaches are applied in practice through the "Model Projects" by choosing the study focus "Reflective Urban Practice". The supervised compulsory internship takes place in architecture and urban design or planning offices, research institutions or municipalities that have been cooperating with our programme since the year 2000. Alternatively the learning are further expanded in the academic context at a partner university (previously through the double degree "Advanced Urbanism" with CAUP, Tongji-University Shanghai, operating from 2004 and closed in 2022).

The programme concludes in the 4. semester with an academic thesis with the title "Master of Science (M.Sc.)“. Watch out for some Master Theses examples. Graduates are employed in international architecture, planning and engineering offices, research institutions and international organisations and authorities.

Both the international profile of the student group and the study specialisations with the possibility of further international profiling in the third semester are characterised by a close interweaving of content, especially with the research area on digital methods, which enables students to adopt a variety of perspectives.

Important notice for applications in 2025 (valid for students starting in October 2025)!
The programme is in process of re-accreditation. The main change: next to the existing 12 CP study project in the 2nd semester – the new study plan integrates a second 12 CP study project in the 1st semester, strengthening the praxis oriented profile of IUDD. Attend one of our three IUDD info sessions for updates and questions or contact the academic advisor of the programme! For application details and requirements check our applications page!