Study

Master of Science degree course in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation for

Urban Planning and Management

The magnitude and dynamics of urbanization place an enormous burden on organizations responsible for the planning and management of urban regions. The core objectives of urban planning and management are seen as understanding dynamic urban processes and developing effective interventions that contribute to the sustainability of urban development. Geo-information and geo-information technology play a vital role in supporting these objectives.

The MSc degree course in urban planning and management integrates knowledge of, and skills in, geo-information technology with current themes in the field of urban planning and management. Themes include urban poverty, urban transport, infrastructure and public services, disaster preparedness and mitigation, urban environmental planning, land use and land tenure, participatory GIS, and spatial planning and decision support systems.

For whom is the course relevant?

Any academically oriented professional who is active in urban planning and management and who uses spatial data in planning and management tasks belongs to the target group, for example town and district planners, land (policy) officers, infrastructure and transport engineers and environmental planners. The course is also highly relevant for staff at universities and non-governmental organizations in the field of urban planning and management who are interested in the use of geo-information technology. The 18-month MSc course includes a strong research component and leads to an MSc degree.

What is the course content?

The MSc course content is clustered in four blocks:

In Blocks 3 and 4, participants specialize further in their field of interest and deepen knowledge and skills in preparation for the MSc research phase. The individual MSc research takes place in a multidisciplinary research project that is related to one of ITC’s main research themes. The research typically includes fieldwork in a city in a developing country to collect primary and secondary data and information.

What will be achieved?

The MSc course in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation for Urban Planning and Management aims to improve the knowledge and skills of the course participants in the use of geo-information science for effective task execution and problem solving in urban planning and management.

In addition, the MSc course will enable participants to specialize further in current research themes and will give them the opportunity to undertake an independent research project, making effective use of geo-information technology.

Why choose this course?

In a recent survey, graduates gave the following reasons for following a course in urban planning and management at ITC:

•  advanced expertise in geo-information science and remote sensing
• relevant contents and tools, reflecting contemporary urban planning practice
• opportunity to undertake empirical research in developing countries
• international environment, with access to Dutch and European experiences.

All in all, ITC offers a unique international academic environment for applying geo-information technology within the context of urban planning and management.

Admission requirements

Academic level and background

Applicants for the Master of Science (MSc) degree programme should have a Bachelor degree or equivalent from a recognised university in a discipline related to the course, preferably combined with working experience in a relevant field.

English language

As all courses are given in English, proficiency in the English language is a prerequisite. If you are a national of one of the countries in this list (PDF), you are exempted from an English language test. Please note: the requirements when applying for fellowships may vary according to the regulations of the fellowship provider.

English language tests: minimum requirements

Only internationally recognised test results are accepted.

Computer skills

Although introductory lessons on computer skills are scheduled in the Master of Science (MSc) degree programme, applicants lacking computer experience are strongly advised to follow basic courses in their home countries.

Notebook requirements

From September 2011, participants that start an ITC course of nine months or longer (MSc, Master and Diploma courses), are required to have a notebook computer that meets ITC’s requirements.

To make the purchase of notebook computers easier and more affordable, ITC introduces the ITC Notebook Programme through which students can purchase discounted notebooks that meet ITC's standards and have the peripherals needed to connect to the ITC networks.

When studying at ITC your notebook has to meet a minimum set of requirements. This is to ensure that you will be able to run most of the programs and the “software manager” (a program developed by the IT department that enables you to download, install programs, license software, make connections to network drive and enable you to print.)

The minimum requirements for a privately bought notebook are:

Please make sure the operating system is the same or higher and in English or else we cannot provide you the adequate service when experiencing problems with your notebook. It is also important that the operating system is genuine.