phd positions in urban planning in europe

PhD Research

The Urbanism Research Programme provides a lively stimulating environment for PhD research. Candidates also participate in the TU Delft Graduate School which provides doctoral education in research skills and personal and career development. PhD work forms a major part of Urbanism research. The research programme is organised in research themes, and all proposals must demonstrate how they will contribute to the themes. The overall Urbanism Research Programme can be viewed here . PhD candidates participate in a four-year programme. In the first year, the candidate prepares a comprehensive research proposal and a long paper, which is assessed by a professorial panel following a public presentation. PhD opportunities may arise for specific projects funded by the Dutch National Research Organisation (NWO) or other funding bodies. In these cases the PhD candidate will be employed by the TU Delft to undertake a specific project. These opportunities will be advertised at ‘ Working at TU Delft’ . However, most PhD candidates find their own funding. In this case TU Delft offers supervision and an academic environment and the candidate performs research in the university on a daily basis based on hospitality to enable him/her to write a thesis within four years. The PhD candidate may be granted time or financing by a) a foreign university; b) personal grant-issuing organisations such as national research councils, or c) his/her employer. If the Urbanism Programme decides to accept an applicant on a preliminary basis who has not already secured funding, supervisors are able to assist with the preparation of applications for grant funding, but the responsibility for finding funding rests with the applicant. Applicants will need to explain on their application where they expect to gain funding. We do not accept applicants who are self-financed from personal funds.

Call for applications

New topics will be posted periodically on this website.

Topic 1: Cross-national comparison of territorial governance, spatial planning and regional design.

The Urbanism Research Programme conducts research on the theme of international comparative planning and regional design. We aim to take forward comparative research that builds knowledge of the key factors that determine the performance of 

regional and urban planning and design, and which supports more responsive and progressive planning that can influence spatial development in more sustainable directions. We are keen to develop our comparative knowledge of spatial planning in China in collaboration with colleagues at South China University of Technology through the joint Centre on Urban Systems and Environment. The theme will continue to build on previous work, for example:

Nadin, V. and Stead, D. (2008) European spatial planning systems, social models and learning, DISP 172, January, 35-47;

Nadin, V. (2013), and International comparative planning methodology: introduction to the theme, Planning Practice and Research, 27(1): 1-5. 

Potential supervisors include Vincent Nadin, Dominic Stead, Wil Zonneveld and Marcin Dabrowski.

Topic 2: The meaning and role of ‘spatial planning’ and ‘territorial governance’ under difficult and adverse conditions

Many recent spatial planning reforms across the world have led to shifts in planning regimes: often from statutory plan-led to development-led approaches. In various countries regional design and the ‘art’ of making spatial representations and the imagination of spatial metaphors has emerged as a powerful tool in capacity- and consensus building in multi-actor settings. It is often used as a

 way of overcoming conflicting rationales and images of desired spatial development and spatial futures. In practice, regional design fulfils different roles in different situations, depending on the actor settings and the nature of the issues at hand. We would like to develop research that focus on the performance of regional design in various institutional settings in different countries and (urban) regions. This research will continue current research including:

Balz, V. & Zonneveld, W. (2014) Regional Design in the Context of Fragmented Territorial Governance: South Wing Studio, European Planning Studies, OnlineFirst doi 10.1080/09654313.2014.889662.

Potential supervisors include: Wil Zonneveld, Vincent Nadin, Dominic Stead

Topic 3: The performance of regional design in complex governance settings.

Many recent spatial planning reforms across the world have led to shifts in planning regimes: often from statutory plan-led to development-led approaches. In various countries regional design and the ‘art’ of making spatial representations and the imagination of spatial metaphors has emerged as a powerful tool in capacity- and consensus 

building in multi-actor settings. It is often used as a way of overcoming conflicting rationales and images of desired spatial development and spatial futures. In practice, regional design fulfils different roles in different situations, depending on the actor settings and the nature of the issues at hand. We would like to develop research that focus on the performance of regional design in various institutional settings in different countries and (urban) regions. This research will continue current research including:

Topic 4: The process of metropolisation in polycentric metropolitan regions.

Metropolisation is understood as the process through which a loose collection of proximally located cities starts to become more functionally, culturally and institutionally integrated. It can be assumed that in theory metropolisation enhances 

performance, and indeed this conviction underlies many European metropolitan development strategies. Yet little is known about how this potential is realised in practice, nor has the relationship between the level of metropolisation and performance of polycentric metropolitan areas been explored. Issues that can be addressed include the development of regional identity alongside urban identities, overcoming governmental fragmentation in polycentric metropolitan regions and the development of functional relationships within such regions. Also, from an economics perspective, the concepts of ‘borrowed size’ and ‘agglomeration shadows’ within polycentric metropolitan regions deserve further exploration. This research builds for instance on:

Meijers, E., Hoogerbrugge, M & K. Hollander (2014) Twin Cities in the Process of Metropolisation, Urban Research & Practice, 7(1), 35-55

Burger, M., Meijers, E., Hoogerbrugge, M & J. Masip Tresserra (2014) Borrowed Size, Agglomeration Shadows and Cultural Amenities in North-West Europe – European Planning Studies; available online first DOI:  dx.doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2014.905002 .

Potential supervisors include: Evert Meijers, Wil Zonneveld. 

Topic 5: The relationship between the spatial and socio-economic performances of built environments.

Urbanism is concerned with the relationship between the spatial structure of the physical built environment and social and economic life. However, there is a great uncertainty about the effect of the 

physical world on society and how it varies according to the local cultures and planning laws or regulations. This hinders effective intervention though planning and urban design.

Our research aims to improve understandings of the variable performance of the physical arrangement of the built environment, the spatial structure of the transport networks at varying scales from neighbourhood to regional levels, in terms of economic vitality, social cohesion and environmental sustainability (Van Nes, Akkelies, 2011, “Measuring spatial visibility, adjacency, permeability and degrees of street life in urban areas. The one- and two-dimensional isovists analyses in Space Syntax”, in: S. Nijhuis, R. van Lammeren, F. van der Hoeven (eds) ”Exploring the visual landscape; Advances in Landscape physiognomic Research in the Netherlands”, IOS press, Amsterdam, Ye, Yu, and Van Nes, Akkelies 2014, “Quantitative tools in urban morphology: Combining space syntax, spacematrix and mixed-use index in a GIS framework” in: Journal of Urban Morphology (forthcoming); Van Nes, Akkelies and Lopez, Manuel, 2010, “Macro and micro scale spatial variables and the distribution of residential burglaries and theft from cars: an investigation of space and crime in the Dutch cities of Alkmaar and Gouda”, in: Journal of Space Syntax, no 2.). We examine the extent to which planning and other urban interventions take account of knowledge of these relationships and with what effects.

Future research will explore the relationship between physical layout, building functions and social life, comparing historic districts with contemporary developments in different cultural (national) contexts. We are particularly interested in the effects of the spatial morphology of built environments on society in terms of the incidence of crime, vitality of shopping areas, livability of housing areas and land values. This requires developing or improving existing analyses tools, to test combination of existing tools, and to deal with the possibilities of improved computer capacities and software development useful for handling research on built environments. Other methods for analyzing the spatial properties of built environments needs improvement, from a phenomenological as well as from a morphological and topological/configurationally approach.

Potential supervisors include Akkelies van Nes.

Topic 6: Planning and Designing for Development: Spatial Strategies for Urban Development in Rapidly Growing Economies.

The Urbanism programme undertakes critical analyses of urbanization processes in the developing world, including the comparative study of planning frameworks, tools and cultures, governance structures and the dynamics of spatial form, as well as issues arising from the interactions between planned and unplanned, formal and informal and legal and extra-legal urban development. We examine the interactions between spatial planning, political structures, social struggles and the built environment. This research cluster relies on expertise of several staff members and builds on previous research and education programs carried out in the Department of Urbanism of TU Delft. Prospective PhD candidates must be able to conduct research aimed to inform the preparation of plans and strategies that tackle issues associated with international urban development. Research in this area must also underpin education offered at Master level in the Department of Urbanism. Our recent work includes:

Ballegoijen, J. V. & Rocco, R. 2013. The ideologies of informality: Informal urbanization in the architectural and planning discourses. Third World Quarterly, 34, 1794-1810;

Fernández-Maldonado, A.M. (2014) Incremental housing in Peru and the role of the social housing sector, in: van Lindert, P., Smets, P. & Bredenoord, J. (eds) Affordable Housing in the Urban Global South, London and New York: Earthscan;

Fernández-Maldonado, A. M. (2011) Trends toward Urbanization in the Americas, in: H. M. Tarver (ed.), World History Encyclopedia, Era 8: Crisis and Achievement, 1900-1945, Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO;

Pojani, D. 2013. “From Squatter Settlement to Suburb: The Transformation of Bathore, Albania.” Housing Studies 28 (6): 805-821. 

Potential supervisors include: Ana María Fernández Maldonado, Roberto Rocco.

Topic 7: Doing a PhD at the research group 3D GeoInformation

The 3D Geoinformation research theme studies the technologies underpinning geographical information systems (GIS), and aims at designing, developing, and implementing better systems to model 3D cities, buildings and landscapes. The research focuses on spatial data, and specifically the modelling, structuring, maintenance, analysis and dissemination of large amounts of (3D) geoinformation about urban areas.   

3D geoinformation can make a key contribution to the design and planning of interventions in the urban environment. Thus, serving the needs of practice is extremely important and we develop solutions in close collaboration with users such as experts in noise, wind and emergency evacuation simulations.  We have a history of successful collaborations with the industry and the government: our research has led to open source software, standards, and patents for the management of 3D geographic information.

Example research questions 

• 3D geoinformation infrastructure: how to collect, model, maintain or disseminate 3D information about urban and rural areas and use it for many different applications?
• How to reconstruct semantically rich 3D city models?
• What data structures and algorithms are needed for 3D modelling?
• How to deal with different levels of detail of 3D geoinformation?
• How to connect information from the design&construction world (BIM) with geo-information applications? 

Interested in doing PhD in our group?

If you are interested doing a PhD in our group there are two possibilities:

(1) Apply for a paid position Sometimes paid positions become available for a postdoc or PhD candidate, when a research project has been granted funding. Whenever we have such a position, you can find it at our home page: https://3d.bk.tudelft.nl

(2) Open application with own funding If you have found own financial support, you can apply for a PhD position in our group to either work on your project full-time as a contract PhD candidate or keep your current job and/or stay where you live and work on your project part-time as an external PhD candidate. Please contact the chair of the group for more information and the conditions for such a type of PhD research: Prof dr Jantien Stoter, [email protected]

Process of consideration of applications

• Applications must be made through the Graduate School AB+E. See the application & selection process on the Graduate School website .
• Please state clearly at the top of your proposal which topic your proposal addresses.
• A panel will assess the applications and create a shortlist. The criteria are: a) the scientific quality of the research proposal; b) the societal relevance of the research proposal; c) the quality of the curriculum vitae including academic qualifications; d) other considerations like evidence of writing skills, funding and English language competence.
• The panel will pay particular attention to the ability of the candidate to develop knowledge in the relevant topic.
• Shortlisted applicants may be interviewed, if necessary by video link or telephone.
• Subject to funding, the successful applicants will be given hospitality for 4 years, during which they will undertake a formal progress review (a go,no-go). Following a successful review the candidate will register with the University for the PhD. 

Share this page:

Doctoral Programme in Landscape and Urban Studies

The doctoral programme at the ETH Zurich Department of Architecture’s Institute of Landscape and Urban Studies (LUS) offers one fellowship position starting on 1 October 2024. 100%, Zurich-based, fixed-term. Job description

The LUS Doctoral Programme

The doctoral programme at the Institute of Landscape and Urban Studies (LUS), ETH Zurich D-ARCH, is dedicated to exploring contemporary challenges in urban and environmental transformation within broader socio-cultural, political-economic, and theoretical frameworks. This programme is designed to foster critical discourse and nurture independent, innovative, and proactive research that addresses pressing social and environmental issues.

The LUS Institute engages with the production of landscape, territory, and human settlements across various scales and diverse global geographies. Key research areas include landscape and designed ecologies, energy transition, agroecology, hydrology, regenerative agriculture, adaptive infrastructures, housing, and socio-economic development with a focus on urban inequality. Geographically, the LUS Institute’s research spans Switzerland, Europe, and the broader global South.

By bringing together disciplines such as architecture, landscape architecture, urban and territorial design, and planning, as well as the social sciences, the doctoral programme at the LUS Institute adopts an inter- and transdisciplinary approach. This approach encompasses a diverse range of methodological approaches, from qualitative and quantitative research to ethnography, critical cartography, design-based action research, systems research, and urban theory.

About the Programme

The doctoral programme is conducted in English. With a current enrollment of over 25 participants, the LUS doctoral programme encourages both individual research and collaborative engagement within the doctoral community. The programme offers multiple platforms for interaction, such as the LUS methods seminar, institute-wide colloquia, workshops, and doctoral reviews. Embedded in the vibrant doctoral education environment of the Department of Architecture at ETH Zurich, the LUS doctoral programme actively collaborates with the doctoral programme at the Institute of History and Theory of Architecture (gta) , ETH Zurich. This collaboration enhances interdisciplinary perspectives and provides enriched research opportunities.

Participating Chairs at the LUS

While the proposed research should align with the individual and collective research agendas of the participating chairs at the LUS Institute, candidates are welcome to apply with an independent research topic, provided it aligns with the collective competencies of the Institute. The LUS Institute currently comprises seven chairs, each contributing to its diverse research landscape:

• Chair of History and Theory of Urban Design, Prof. Dr. Tom Avermaete
• Chair of Architecture and Housing, Prof. Maria Conen
• Chair of Landscape Architecture, Prof. Dr. Teresa Galí-Izard
• Chair of Architecture and Urban Design, Prof. Hubert Klumpner
• Chair of Architecture and Urban Transformation, Prof. Freek Persyn
• Chair of Architecture and Territorial Planning, Prof. Milica Topalovic
• Chair of Landscape Architecture, Prof. Martina Voser

Job description

Conduct original doctoral research on an individually determined topic within the disciplines of landscape and urban studies. The fellowship places no restriction on the geography or time period of the proposed research project. You are expected to devote a small part of your time to community building activities at the LUS doctoral school and co-curate LUS Talks during the second year of your studies. See past LUS Talks here.

100% doctoral employment at the ETH standard rate, with an expected term of three-and-a-half years to completion, pending successful approval of the doctoral plan at the end of year one.

Your Profile

We are seeking individuals with a background in architecture, landscape architecture, urban and territorial design and planning, and social sciences, with strong research or design experience that can benefit from the inter- and transdisciplinary engagements offered by the institute.

You must hold a university diploma or master’s degree obtained at university level (equivalent to the FHEQ-Level 7) in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, urban planning, and social science, or related fields.

You must additionally demonstrate excellent research and writing skills.

The programme provides funding for up to three-and-a-half years, with a potential extension. You will be employed at full employment (100% pensum), based on the ETH Zurich doctoral student contract, with monthly salaries according to the ‘standard rate’. For a detailed calculation of salaries, please refer to this link .

You are required to take up residency in Zurich during the period of the scholarship. Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich

We value diversity

In line with our values , ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.

Curious? So are we.

Applications must be addressed to the Institute of Landscape and Urban Studies rather than to individual professors. Applicants must note that the application will be solely evaluated for their content and the applicants are thus requested to not contact individual professors before applying.

We are looking forward to receiving your online application with the following documents by 15 March 2024, 23:59 CET:

• Letter of motivation (1 page).
• Outline for the Proposed Research Project (4 pages + addendums). The document should include the research title, a review of the current state-of-the-art related to the proposed topic, clearly defined research questions, articulated aims and objectives, anticipated formats for publication, and a demonstration of why the LUS Institute is an ideal host for the proposed research. The main content must adhere to a 4-page limit, utilizing 11pt. font and single-spacing. Supplementary pages may be used for up to three illustrations (maps, drawings, images), bibliography, and a project timeline.
• Curriculum vitae (including publications, portfolio, and work samples, max. 10 pages).
• Published piece of writing if available (1 text, max. 15 pages).
• Name, affiliation, and email addresses of 2 referees.

Please note that applications missing any of the documents listed above and/or exceeding specified page limits will not be considered for evaluation.

The programme exclusively accepts application documents submitted through the ETH online application portal. Applications submitted via email or postal services will not be considered.

Application Timeline

• 15 March 2024: Submission deadline (23:59 CET).
• Middle of April 2024: Notification to shortlisted candidates.
• End of April 2024: Interviews with shortlisted candidates.
• Beginning of May 2024: Notification to successful applicants.
• 1 October 2024: Start of programme.

Further information about the programme, the participating faculty and the application process.

Applicants are requested to refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) before approaching the programme coordinator. Only for questions that cannot be addressed through the FAQs contact the doctoral programme coordinator Nitin Bathla . Requests sent to any other email will not be considered.

Browser does not support script.

• Undergraduate
• Executive education
• Study Abroad
• Summer schools
• Online certificate courses
• International students
• Meet, visit and discover LSE

MPhil/PhD Regional and Urban Planning Studies

• Graduate research
• Department of Geography and Environment
• Application code L8ZR
• Starting 2024
• Home full-time: Open
• Overseas full-time: Open
• Location: Houghton Street, London

This programme offers the chance to undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication and which makes an original contribution to the social scientific study of urban planning. You will begin on the MPhil, and will need to meet certain requirements to be upgraded to PhD status.

The MPhil/ PhD in Regional and Urban Planning Studies is part of a vibrant, innovative and interdisciplinary graduate training programme that addresses the opportunities, problems, politics and economics of urban and regional planning in cities around the world. Our emphasis is on “understanding the causes of things”, to quote the School’s motto. We do this by employing analytical skills and theoretical insights gained from the social sciences and the fields of planning, architecture, economics and the environment.

Our programme aims to produce top-quality social scientists who are able to engage with the conceptual foundations of urban planning and employ robust and appropriate methods in their research.

As well as taking your time to look through the sections below,  we also encourage you to take a look at our  FAQs , which cover a range of frequently asked questions, including on the application process and funding.

Programme details

For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements for mphil/phd regional and urban planning.

The programme is offered in the following alternative formats:

Either  the MPhil/PhD in Regional and Urban Planning

Or  combined with the MSc Regional and Urban Planning Studies progressing onto the MPhil/PhD in Regional Planning (1+3 route)

MPhil/PhD in Regional and Urban Planning

The minimum entry requirement for this programme is a taught master’s degree (or equivalent), with a minimum of 65 per cent average and at least 70 in the dissertation, in a related.

Most students take four years to complete the PhD.

1+3 Route: MSc Regional and Urban Planning Studies (1 year) + MPhil/PhD in Regional Planning

The 1+3 route is suitable for those individuals who do not hold a relevant an ESRC recognised postgraduate research training degree and is aimed at students graduating with an undergraduate degree in planning, urban geography or closely related subject. (See entrance requirements for the  MSc Regional and Urban Planning Studies programme ).

The 1+3 Combined PhD Programme is only available as part of an ESRC Funded pathway.

The 1+3 scheme provides funding for a one year research training MSc programme plus three years in a linked PhD programme. Progression from the master’s onto the PhD programme is dependent upon performance in the master’s programme (Students must score 65 per cent overall and at least 70 in their dissertation to comply with the Department’s usual PhD entry criteria).

Once on the PhD Programme, 1+3 students will follow the same programme structure as ordinary PhD students but adjusted to account for courses already taken on the MSc.

In practice, most students take four years to complete the PhD in addition to the year of study for the relevant MSc.

How to apply

To apply for the 1+3 route, an application must be submitted for the relevant master’s programme, including a research proposal for the PhD aspect of the pathway. Applicants must also indicate their wish to be considered for the 1+3 pathway and associated funding within their personal statement. If you apply for the PhD programme directly, will not be considered for the 1+3 pathway.

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet our minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission. 

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our  Information for International Students  to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Assessing your application

We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of members of staff at the School, and we recommend that you investigate  staff research interests  before applying.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

- academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications) - statement of academic purpose - references - CV - outline research proposal - sample of written work.

 See further information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency. You do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE, but we recommend that you do.  See our English language requirements .

When to apply

The application deadline for this programme is 23 May 2024 . However, to be considered for any LSE funding opportunity, you must have submitted your application and all supporting documents by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section for more details.

Fees and funding

Every research student is charged a fee in line with the fee structure for their programme. The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover  living costs  or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for MPhil/PhD Regional and Urban Planning

Home students: £4,829 for the first year (provisional) Overseas students: £22,632 for the first year

The fee is likely to rise over subsequent years of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with the level of fee that the Research Councils recommend. The fees for overseas students are likely to rise in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (ie, 4 per cent per annum).

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

Fee status​

The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Scholarships, studentships and other funding

The School recognises that the  cost of living in London  may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is eligible for  LSE PhD Studentships , and  Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding . Selection for the PhD Studentships and ESRC funding is based on receipt of an application for a place – including all ancillary documents, before the funding deadline.  

Funding deadline for LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding: 15 January 2024

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas.  Find out more about financial support.

External funding 

There may be other funding opportunities available through other organisations or governments and we recommend you investigate these options as well. 

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.  

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students . 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page). 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page.

Programme structure and courses

In addition to progressing with your research, you are expected to take the courses listed below. You may take other courses to those listed but must discuss this with your supervisor.

(* denotes a half unit)

Training courses Compulsory (not examined) Planning Practice and Research or Staff/Research Students Seminar Provides background sessions for MPhil/PhD students in their first year of study. It also provides the forum in which first year full-time and second year part-time MPhil/PhD students must present their work in advance of submitting their major review documents.

Compulsory (examined) Courses to the value of one unit from the list of options on the relevant MSc degrees Relevant advanced research method courses to the value of one unit from the following: Applied Quantitative Methods* Techniques of Spatial Economic Analysis* Fundamentals of Social Science Research Design* Qualitative Research Methods* Doing Ethnography* Non-Traditional Data: New Dimensions in Qualitative Research* Special Topics in Qualitative Research : Introspection-based Methods in Social Research* Survey Methodology* Causal Inference for Observational and Experimental Studies* Special Topics in Quantitative Analysis: Quantitative Text Analysis*

Transferable skills courses Compulsory (not examined) Research Project Seminar Presentations by research students of aspects of their own research, stressing problems of theory, methodology and techniques.

Second year

Training courses

Compulsory (not examined) Staff / Research Students Seminars Provides background sessions for MPhil/PhD students in their first year of study. It also provides the forum in which first year full-time and second year part-time MPhil/PhD students must present their work in advance of submitting their major review documents.  

Transferable skills courses Compulsory (not examined) Research Project Seminar Presentations by research students of aspects of their own research, stressing problems of theory, methodology and techniques.  

Compulsory (not examined) Staff / Research Students Seminars Provides background sessions for MPhil/PhD students in their first year of study. It also provides the forum in which first year full-time and second year part-time MPhil/PhD students must present their work in advance of submitting their major review documents. 

Transferable skills courses Compulsory (not examined) Research Project Seminar Presentations by research students of aspects of their own research, stressing problems of theory, methodology and techniques. 

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page. 

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.  

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s   Calendar , or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the  updated graduate course and programme information page.

Supervision, progression and assessment

Supervision.

You will be assigned two supervisors who are specialists in your chosen research field, though not necessarily in your topic. Your supervisors will guide you through your studies.

Progression and assessment

Once on the MPhil/PhD programme you will go through a First Year Progress Review, taking place in the Spring Term of your first year.

For the First Year Progress Review, you must submit a written progress report containing an extensive and updated research proposal (typically including an introduction to the topic and motivation for the research; aims and objectives/research questions; contribution to knowledge; summary of methods to be used; and outline of the work to be done) and either a comprehensive literature review or a substantive draft of a chapter/paper as evidence of progress made during the year. Normally, there will be a progress review meeting between you and your supervisors to discuss the written material presented. The work has to reach an acceptable standard to enable you to progress. There is provision for a second Supplementary Review in cases where there are doubts as to whether progress has been sufficient to allow entry to the second year. Progression to the second year of the MPhil/PhD programme is also dependent on you having passed all required examinations and obtained at least one merit, and having presented your work satisfactorily in the research project seminar.

All research students are initially registered for an MPhil and have to be upgraded to PhD status. The upgrade from MPhil to PhD usually occurs during the second year of full-time registration on the programme. The exact timing depends on your progress. You are required to submit a formal written upgrade report consisting of an extensive revised research proposal, two substantive draft papers/chapters, of which one can be a literature review, and a detailed plan for completion. You will be asked to discuss your research paper/thesis outline during an Upgrade Meeting in front of an Upgrading Committee normally formed by your supervisors and a third member of staff with relevant expertise. The material is evaluated by the Upgrading Committee, who will recommend transferral to PhD registration if your work is judged to be of sufficient quality and quantity. The upgrade is also dependent on you having completed all required training courses and having made a satisfactory research presentation in the research project seminar.

In addition to these formal arrangements, each year during the Spring Term and throughout the course of your studies, you and your supervisors have to complete a yearly Progress Report Form, detailing progress made, problems arising and plan/timeline for completion. The forms are sent to the Director of Post-Graduate Studies for approval before you are able to re-register for the following session. If perceived lack of progress is identified, it can trigger a more formal annual review of progress in which you will be asked to produce specific written documents to be evaluated by a review panel.

Student support and resources

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians   – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

Accommodation service  – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders  – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

Disability and Wellbeing Service  – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as  student counselling,  a  peer support scheme  and arranging  exam adjustments.  They run groups and workshops.  

IT help  – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.   

LSE Faith Centre  – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.   

Language Centre  – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers  ­ – with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights. 

LSE Library   –   founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE  – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU)  – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding.  

PhD Academy   – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

Sardinia House Dental Practice   – this   offers discounted private dental services to LSE students.  

St Philips Medical Centre  – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre  – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.  

Student advisers   – we have a  Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy)  and an  Adviser to Women Students  who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

Student life

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in  extracurricular activities . From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from. 

The campus 

LSE is based on one  campus  in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community. 

Life in London 

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more. 

Want to find out more? Read why we think  London is a fantastic student city , find out about  key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners . Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about  London on a budget . 

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Geography & Environment

Median salary of our PG students 15 months after graduating: £35,000          

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

• Government, Public Sector and Policy   
• Financial and Professional Services              
• Education, Teaching and Research            
• Real Estate, Environment and Energy 
• Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2020-21 were the fourth group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

We prepare students for a variety of careers in academia, international organisations (eg the World Bank, OECD, UNEP, European Commission), urban planning, community development, NGOs and national and local governmental institutions.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Enrico Orru

My PhD allowed me to achieve a more comprehensive and critical understanding of the main issues underlying my field of work and to gain strong methodological and analytical skills. After my PhD I've published in journals such as Papers in Regional Science and The Annals of Regional Science . I've worked for the President of the Italian region Sardinia, by providing advice and support in education, labour markets, innovation and regional economic development. Since 2015 I have been working as a research consultant for Eurofound (European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions).

Sabina Uffer

My PhD focused on the effects of a changing housing strategy on Berlin's urban development. During my research, I worked at LSE Cities on the project Resilient Urban Form and Governance, conducting comparative research on residential and commercial real estate in Hong Kong, Singapore, New York, Paris, London, and Berlin; and I taught research methodology in social science.

Now, I'm head of research for the Cities team at BuroHappold, undertaking projects at the intersection of urban development and infrastructure planning with an emphasis on housing, transportation, and waste. My expertise lies in developing and executing research projects and policy analysis around national and local urban issues in the US, the UK, Germany, and Switzerland. 

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the  support available to students through LSE Careers .

Find out more about LSE

Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home. 

Experience LSE from home

Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus.  Experience LSE from home . 

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour.  Find out about opportunities to visit LSE . 

LSE visits you

Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders.  Find details on LSE's upcoming visits . 

Virtual Graduate Open Day

Register your interest

Related programmes, mphil/phd human geography and urban studies.

Code(s) L8ZG

MPhil/PhD Economic Geography

Code(s) L7ZQ

MSc Regional and Urban Planning Studies

Code(s) L8U4

MSc Geographic Data Science

Code(s) F9UZ

Request a prospectus

• Name First name Last name
• Address Address Line 1 Address Line 2 City County Postcode Country

Speak to Admissions

Content to be supplied

Urban Development and Governance

About the programme

IHS provides an environment that stimulates inspiring ideas at the crossroads of theory and practice in urban development and governance. Urban professionals grow as individuals and as academics. The knowledge and ideas they develop at IHS will contribute to them making a positive impact on the world.

The IHS PhD programme provides a refreshing academic-to-practice environment in which talented individuals can develop their ideas and broaden their experience to become the leading professionals in urban development research, education and practice. This PhD programme brings together scholars from all over the world, supporting their research on multiple topics. Please have a look at examples of the work our PhD candidates have published .

 Below, you can see an overview of our  three main research areas:

Urban Socio-Spatial Development

Urban Economics and Governance

Urban Sustainability and Climate Change Resilience

PhD Programme Management

Our IHS PhD Programme Management team are here to assist you throughout your PhD trajectory and will provide you with all the relevant information you need to complete your trajectory. They ensure the IHS PhD Programme compliance with the EUR Doctoral Regulations .

Working hard is important but so is creating connections with people from all over the world. PhD Programme Management also organize social events throughout the year for the PhD students, including academic excursions, going out for lunch and an end of year wrap up party.

Supervision

As well as regular contact with the IHS PhD Programme Management, your PhD trajectory will be supervised by two expert academic supervisors. Other experts can be added if necessary. Your supervisory team will be appointed to you based on our staff members expertise and in compliance with the EUR Doctoral Regulations.

Students in the IHS PhD Programme are part of the scientific community at IHS. Therefore, you have access to a wealth of resources. This includes access to a dedicated office space, and journal articles via IHS’s extensive library, which is focused on urban literature, EUR main library , and the EUR campus facilities . Furthermore, you have space to develop your presentation and feedback skills in our PhD colloquia, where you discuss and learn from each other. 

Cooperation with the Erasmus Graduate School of Social Sciences and the Humanities (EGSH)

Students in our PhD programme will receive academic training from the Erasmus Graduate School of Social Sciences and the Humanities (EGSH) . This will ensure that PhD students are up to date with the academic and research skills required for their research. Students can choose from a wide range of courses catered to support their individual work and develop them as researchers. The programme will be tailor-made to your needs. Some of these courses offered are mandatory for our PhD students. The selection will be finalized during your supervision meetings.

How is the programme organised?

Preparation Phase

• Starts directly after admission.
• Develop a Training and Supervisory Plan with supervisory team; identify mandatory and specialized courses to take in Erasmus Graduate School of Social Sciences and the Humanities (EGSH).
• Complete Hora Finita registration. Hora Finita is the central EUR PhD registration and monitoring system.
• Turn the initial proposal into an operational work plan, including a thorough literature review, clear research questions and an matching methodological strategy that prepares for the fieldwork.
• This period ends with a formal go/no-go decision from the promotor(s) and co-promotor(s). This is a formal assessment that will be used to evaluate the candidate’s perspective to continue with the PhD trajectory. This moment usually takes place 10-12 months after the start of your trajectory. It serves as a reflection moment to assess the likelihood of you finishing your research successfully in the remaining three years.

Research Phase

• Enter the empirical research phase
• Prepare and conduct field work
• Analysis results

Manuscript phase

• Write up work into a manuscript
• Feedback from your supervisory team and editing manuscript
• Submission of your manuscript to the reading committee

Defense and Graduation phase

• Meet regulations, requirements, and rules by Beadles Office
• Print thesis
• Set a date for the defense
• PhD defense ceremony
• Please note that the time between the approval of your thesis by the supervisory team and the actual defense (including approval from the doctoral committee) may take approximately 6 months due to formal procedures which are legally required.

PhD agreement and registration are arranged once the first payment has been received. The expected duration for a PhD trajectory is four years full-time . The Netherlands is well-known for its non-hierarchical management culture . This is strongly reflected in the supervision style provided here at IHS. As a PhD student, you will be considered a fellow researcher. During supervision meetings, you will be provided with guidance and feedback, but you will also be encouraged to share your ideas and questions. Together you will find ways for you to learn and grow as a researcher.

IHS PhD Urban Governance and Development

PhD Modalities

The IHS PhD programme is very flexible and caters for various modalities for PhD or post-doctoral research activities. Below you can find more specific information about each of the five modalities available for PhD students. 

IHS PhD student

Description.

Entire research (3-4 years) at IHS/EUR with a mandatory stay on site of only 3 months per year.

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

Tuition fee

€12,500 per year

• Variety of research possibilities (3 clusters)
• Supervisory team 
• Access to the vast resources of the university library system & campus facilities
• A dedicated quiet working space
• Access to tailored courses included in the fee
• Possibility to assist supervisions and to attend guest lectures
• A PhD degree in the field of Social Sciences and the Humanities from a top 100 university 
• A truly international environment & an opportunity to expand your network 
• Support in visa procedures and practical assistance

Visiting researcher

Postdoc researchers visiting for a short period, who have the primary purpose of visiting the Erasmus campus, is to conduct individual research.

Administration fee

6 months: € 1,500

Up to 3 months: € 900

• Variety of research possibilities (3 clusters)
• A quiet working space (visiting scholars follow a flex desk policy)
• Possibility to attend guest lectures

Sign up for a series of informative emails about this programme!

Learn about the content, lecturers, career opportunities, Rotterdam and more.

PhD Alumni Spotlight: Daniel Adamu

Daniel studied public-private partnership-led housing delivery in urban Nigeria.

Share this page

Compare @count study programme.

• Duration: @duration

DAStU, Polimi PhD programme – Call for applications

New book – A Modern Guide to National Urban Policies in Europe

#23 Education

• Politecnico di Milano

DAStU – Politecnico di Milano PhD programme in Urban Planning, Design and Policy

Call for applications 2021 now open, the phd programme in urban planning, design and policy grants five phd positions (four fully paid) to start in november 2021., the four scholarships are organised as follows:.

• Three positions allow candidates to freely choose their own research topic.
• One position is based on predefined research topic “Study of Smart Working and population relocation after the Covid_19 pandemic through social and internet traffic patterns”.

PhD scholarships include a full tuition and fees waiver

The UPDP PhD programme aims to explore the significance and impact of contemporary urban changes and understand how they can be governed through planning, design, and policy-making activities.

By establishing a dialogue with the best European and International schools, the UPDP PhD programme is the place for research and innovative approaches to urban studies, spatial planning and urban design. Based on a multi-disciplinary approach, the main objective of educational activity and the individual research training is to offer PhD students a challenging environment, a space for international debate and research, experimentation and innovation.

Download the full programme here!

Comments are closed.

Related posts

EURA 2025 – Announcement

Urban Regeneration Talk #3, Ireland

EUROLOC Summer School 2024

C-NEWTRAL – 2024 Call for PhD Applicants

Privacy overview.

• Jump to main menu
• Jump to page menu
• Jump to breadcrumbs and menu
• Jump to subpage menu
• Jump to main content
• Jump to contacts and information

International Doctorate Programme European Urban Studies (IPP-EU)

Ipp-eu program, research focus –  urban housing and forms of living.

Cities in Europe are being confronted with new challenges in the face of increasing social inequalities, demographic and lifestyle changes and expectations for ecological development. These processes require new, innovative approaches to urban development which build upon existing urban structures. Housing in urban areas represents a central cross-disciplinary issue, within which societal problems – which have decisive effects on individuals and their quality of life –  can be seen more acutely. The topic of urban housing is thus an area of research which comprises both abstract considerations about societal forms of cohabitation, and how politics and urban planning implement these ideas, as well as concrete, spatial-morphological, architectural and economic dimensions of urban planning. Understanding the complexity of this area of research, a comprehensive analysis must go hand in hand with recognising the need for alternative concepts for housing policy in the fragmented city. 

The International Doctorate Programme “European Urban Studies” is therefore focusing research on the transformation of European cities with a focus on (multidimensional) housing policy, in the context of current societal challenges – such as climate change, social fragmentation, spatial disparity, cultural differentiation, immigration and the transformation of the real estate economy – and what these challenges imply for the cities of Europe. 

Research Areas

With this call, the International Doctorate Programme “European Urban Studies” is concentrating on research projects which address one of the following research areas specifically, but which can also be linked to at least one of the other research areas.

Housing Policy and Urban Development

At the focus of this research area is social housing provision and how it is developing in the context of a transformation to the welfare state and urban development. Research projects will be considered which look at the functional, institutional and urban-spatial transformation of social housing planning.

Housing Forms and Social Diversity In this context, research should focus both on particular social groups’ specific needs with respect to housing forms, as well as on inquiries into innovative housing concepts.  

Inhabiting Urban Landscapes

Urban landscapes are explored as complex, socioeconomic and ecological patterns of relations. This research focus aims to find future-oriented and landscape-related housing and forms of living in the context of current urban landscapes, as well as sustainable forms of urban development and city-regional development based in use of open space and landscapes.

Housing, Urban Renewal and Heritage

This research area focuses on contemporary urban redevelopment projects with a focus on housing. On the one hand this might comprise an analysis of the socio-spatial and urbanistic, the political and housing policy contexts and effects; on the other hand, questions on how to deal with existing urban structures and on the discursive (re-)negotiation of urban heritage shall be explored.

Concept of Supervision

Accepted doctorate students will be supervised mainly by one professor, chosen according to subject relevant expertise. Two advisory meetings should take place each semester, to which colleagues (other Professors) can also be invited. The programme aims to provide a cooperative form of research supervision. Doctorate students are invited to participate in courses and research activities offered by their supervising chair or by other participating chairs. A course plan will be discussed in advisory meetings. In addition, the programme aims to include doctorate students in teaching by building on their expertise in existing courses, providing the possibility to teach courses, work on research applications, prepare and implement workshops, conferences and more. Common publications are a further option. In addition, graduate students have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular language courses and international network events to facilitate integration at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.

Participating Chairs

Prof. Dr. Frank Eckardt (Coordinating Chair), Urban Studies and Social Research

Prof. Dr. Barbara Schönig, Urban Planning

Prof. Dr. Sigrun Langner, Landscape Architecture and Landscape Planning

Jun.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Daniela Zupan, European Cities and Urban Heritage

Dr.-Ing. or Dr. phil.

Application Information

IPP Network

The IPP European Urban Studies was established as part of a nationwide network of International PhD Programmes, which, within the framework of the programme "Doctorates at Universities in Germany (PHD)", were endorsed by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). It is the only IPP in Germany that is dedicated to urban research. By supporting structured doctorate programmes, the DAAD and DFG work toward the implementation of national recommendations for graduate education reform. Structured doctorate programmes were funded at research centers of scientific excellency. 

Accessibility panel

Simple language.

Information about the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar in German.

Set contrast Read more about this setting

Changes from color to monochrome mode

contrast active

contrast not active

Darkmode for the lightsensitive Read more about this setting

Changes the background color from white to black

Darkmode active

Darkmode not active

Click- and Focus-feedback Read more about this setting

Elements in focus are visually enhanced by an black underlay, while the font is whitened

Feedback active

Feedback not active

Animations on this Website Read more about this setting

Halts animations on the page

Animations active

Animations not active

Best Universities for Urban and Regional planning in Europe

Updated: February 29, 2024

• Art & Design
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
• Mathematics

Below is a list of best universities in Europe ranked based on their research performance in Urban and Regional planning. A graph of 1.68M citations received by 122K academic papers made by 583 universities in Europe was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University College London

For Urban and Regional planning

2. University of Manchester

3. London School of Economics and Political Science

4. Delft University of Technology

5. Utrecht University

6. University of Cambridge

7. Newcastle University

8. University of Sheffield

9. University of Amsterdam

10. University of Oxford

11. Lund University

12. Cardiff University

13. Polytechnic University of Milan

14. University of Sussex

15. National Research University Higher School of Economics

16. University of Glasgow

17. St. Petersburg State University

18. University of Wales

19. Catholic University of Leuven

20. University of Leeds

21. University of Birmingham

22. Autonomous University of Barcelona

23. Durham University

24. Wageningen University

25. Moscow State University

26. University of Lisbon

27. Stockholm University

28. King's College London

29. University of Groningen

30. Erasmus University Rotterdam

31. University of Reading

32. University of Helsinki

33. Aalborg University

34. University of Bristol

35. Sapienza University of Rome

36. Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration

37. Free University Amsterdam

38. Loughborough University

39. University of Strathclyde

40. University of Montenegro

41. Ghent University

42. Humboldt University of Berlin

43. University of Antwerp

44. University of Copenhagen

45. Vienna University of Economics and Business

46. Polytechnic University of Turin

47. University of Liverpool

48. University of Oslo

49. Oxford Brookes University

50. University of Belgrade

51. University of Bologna

52. University of Southampton

53. KTH Royal Institute of Technology

54. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich

55. University of Edinburgh

56. University of Warwick

57. Complutense University of Madrid

58. Leiden University

59. University of Barcelona

60. Technical University of Berlin

61. Norwegian University of Science and Technology

62. Maastricht University

63. University College Dublin

64. University of Exeter

65. University of Gothenburg

66. University of the Basque Country

67. Eindhoven University of Technology

68. University of Porto

69. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

70. University of Salford

71. Lancaster University

72. University of Twente

73. University of Liege

74. Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University

75. University of Lodz

76. University of Aberdeen

77. Finance Academy under the Government of the Russian Federation

78. University of Warsaw

79. Imperial College London

80. University of Oulu

81. Federico II University of Naples

82. University of Vienna

83. Technical University of Munich

84. Catholic University of Louvain

85. University of Florence

86. University of the West of England

87. Adam Mickiewicz University

88. Autonomous University of Madrid

89. Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne

90. Bocconi University

91. RUDN University

92. University of Hamburg

93. Technical University of Madrid

94. Free University of Brussels - VUB

95. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

96. University of Nottingham

97. University of Bonn

98. Plekhanov Russian University of Economics

99. Polytechnic University of Valencia

100. University of Cagliari

Environmental Science subfields in Europe

Page 1 of 9

Portugal: PhD Research Fellowship Positions for the Doctoral Programme in Territory, Urban Planning and Architecture, CITUA

The Centre for Innovation in Territory, Urbanism and Architecture (CiTUA), is pleased to announce the opening of a call for 2 (two) PhD Grant position at the research area of Territory, Urban Planning and Architecture, under the FCT Regulations for Research Fellowships (RBI) and the Regulations on Research Scholarships (EBI).

The grant(s) to be awarded will be funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) pursuant to the collaboration protocol signed between FCT and CiTUA (Centre for Innovation in Territory, Urbanism and Architecture) bearing number 5703, for the Funding of the Multiannual Plan of Research Scholarship for PhD Students.

The call is open from 10/06/2022 9:00 a.m. (Lisbon time) to 30/06/2022 8:00 p.m. (Lisbon time).

Applications should be submitted by email to the following address  link .

Only one application per candidate is allowed, under penalty of nullification of all applications submitted.

Any false statement or plagiarism on the part of the candidates may constitute the reason for cancellation of the application, without prejudice to the application of other penalties

DURATION AND TYPE OF SCHOLARSHIPS

The purpose of PhD Scholarships is to fund research activities that lead to a doctoral degree at Instituto Superior Técnico.

The research activities leading to the academic doctoral degree are to be carried out at CiTUA, the Centre for Innovation in Territory, Urbanism and Architecture, which will be the host institution of the scholarship holders, without prejudice to the work possibly being carried out in collaboration with more than one institution.

The research activities leading to a doctoral degree for the selected candidates must be part of the activities and strategic plan of CITUA, Centre for Innovation in Territory, Urbanism and Architecture.

The work plan may be carried out entirely or partially in a domestic research institution (scholarship in Portugal or mixed, respectively).

The duration of a scholarship is, as a rule, one year, renewable up to a maximum of four years (48 months); scholarships cannot be granted for less than three consecutive months.

In the case of a mixed scholarship, the period of work that takes place in a foreign institution cannot exceed 24 months.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD REQUIREMENTS

Scholarship contracts are signed directly with FCT.

The following documents must be forwarded, upon award of the scholarship, for contracting purposes:

• Copies of identification document, tax document and, where applicable, social security identification document [1].
• Copies of certificates of the academic degrees held.
• Official equivalence recognition of foreign academic degrees and conversion of the final grading to the Portuguese classification scale, if applicable.
• A document proving registration and enrolment in a PhD Program at Instituto Superior Técnico in an area of knowledge aligned with CiTUA's objectives.
• A statement by the supervisor(s) taking responsibility for supervising the work plan, in accordance with Article 5-A of the Regulations on Research Scholarships (template to be made available by FCT).
• A document proving the candidate’s acceptance by the institution where the research activities will take place, guaranteeing the conditions necessary for the good development thereof, as well as the fulfilment of the duties provided for in Article 13 of the Regulations on Research Scholarships (template to be made available by FCT).
• An updated document showing compliance with the exclusive dedication regime (template to be made available by FCT).

The award of the scholarship furthermore is dependent on:

• Compliance with the requirements of this Call.
• The result of the scientific assessment.
• A lack of unjustified non-compliance with the candidate’s duties under a previous scholarship contract financed, directly or indirectly, by FCT.
• FCT's budget availability.

Failure to deliver any of the documents necessary to complete the scholarship contracting process, within 6 months from the date of communication of the conditional award decision, will result in the expiration of said award and the end of the process.

Skills/Qualifications

Admissibility Requirements

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• They must be Portuguese citizens, or citizens of other European Union Member States.
• They must be citizens from third-party states.
• They must be classified as Stateless.
• Or they must be beneficiaries of the political refugee status.

Applicants to PhD Scholarships must:

• Hold a Master’s degree at Architecture, Urbanism, Territorial Engineering or in related areas.
• To live in Portugal permanently and habitually, even if the work plan associated to the fellowship is partially conducted at a foreign institution (mixed scholarships). This requirement applies to both Portuguese and foreign citizens.
• Not have been the recipient of a PhD scholarship or a corporate PhD scholarship directly financed by FCT, regardless of its duration.
• Not hold a doctoral degree.

Specific Requirements

Requirements for Admissibility of Application

Under pain of an application being nullified, applicants must submit the following documentation:

• Identity card/passport details.
• A Curriculum Vitae.
• Copies of the certificates for academic degrees held, specifying the final grading and, if possible, the grades obtained in all courses, or, alternatively, the candidate's sworn statement as to the completion by him/her of a master's degree by the application deadline.
• Registration of equivalence for academic degrees awarded by foreign higher education institutions and official registration of the equivalence of the respective final grading to the Portuguese classification scale, or, alternatively, the applicant's sworn statement as to the completion of a foreign degree equivalent a Master’s degree by the application deadline.
• A research project document (with a maximum of 10 pages, written in Times New Roman, font size 11, with 1.5 line spacing) showing how the research aligns with the CiTUA research line -  Line  2 - Planning, management and governance of contemporary urban territories in situations of a lack of resources in differing socio-economic contexts and subject to climate change; and more specifically with CiTUA's  THEMATIC LINE Practice-Based Research .

RESEARCH LINE 2  aims at understanding and advancing: (i) methods and practices of urban and territorial planning (e.g. city-wide strategic planning, master planning, community planning, land use planning) in a changing society and specific political, geographic and social contexts, where lack of resources, the need to cope with climate change and new governance systems are the main features; ii) policy formulation, socio-economic and stakeholder management; iii) norms and regulations generated by globalisation (e.g. multi-actor governance, the new role of the state and the proliferation of producers of norms and standards; the increasing obsolescence of existing regulations as a result of the emergence of local and transnational structures; common goods, etc.); iv) new approaches to planning, management and finance to accommodate the huge of migration movements towards urban areas in developing countries, with the aim of structuring and strengthening physical coherence and social cohesion; v) building the city of the future on existing urban spaces in developed countries, in the context of an ageing society and technological revolution.

The  THEMATIC LINE Practice-Based Research  involves reflection on education, research and practice in architecture and territorial planning and the development of integrative, collaborative and participatory platforms and collaborative design tools for the coproduction of knowledge. The aim is to build a robust body of knowledge in close interaction with architects, urban planners and regional planners, as well as all those who intervene in some practical way in the construction and management of the city and the territory. The research programme involves a prospective attitude in teaching and researching architecture and territorial planning, taking into account current and future trends, new challenges and opportunities arising namely from the developments in the field of new technologies and the “webisation” of functionalities and communities, in order to promote a transdisciplinary practice resulting in science and academic training that is able to respond to the societal challenges of today.

• A letter of motivation.
• Recommendation letters (maximum of two).
• The application and all the associated documents, including motivation and recommendation letters, must be written in the Portuguese or English languages.

It is recommended, albeit without prejudice to admissibility, but with consequences in terms of assessment, that candidates:

• Be skilled in one of three languages English, French and Spanish - in addition to Portuguese.
• Preferably have research experience.

Regarding the aforementioned admissibility requirements, the following should be noted:

• In the case of academic degrees awarded by foreign higher education institutions, and in order to ensure application of the principle of equal treatment to candidates who hold foreign and domestic academic degrees, official equivalence recognition of these degrees and conversion of the final grading to the Portuguese classification scale are compulsory.
• The recognition of foreign academic degrees and diplomas as well as the conversion of the final grading to the Portuguese classification scale may be required by any public higher education institution, or by the Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior (DGES), for automatic recognition of a degree. For more about this subject please visit  http://www.dges.gov.pt .
• Only applicants who have completed the study cycle leading to a Bachelor or Master’s degree by the application deadline, will be admitted. If they do not yet have a course certificate, a sworn statement from the candidates will be accepted. The granting of the scholarship will depend on the presentation of proof of the required academic qualifications.

Additional Information

PAYMENT OF SCHOLARSHIP MONETARY ELEMENTS

Payments due to the scholarship holder will be made by bank transfer, to the account identified in the scholarship holder’s file. The monthly allowance is paid on the first business day of each month.

Payments of registration, enrolment or tuition fee components are made by FCT directly to the national institution where the holder is enrolled in a PhD programme.

Eligibility criteria

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The selection methods to be used will be as follows:

• Criterion A: assessment of the Master's degree.
• Criterion B: appreciation of the adequacy and merit of the research project (presented through a written document including state of the art, methodology(ies) and objectives).
• Criterion C: assessment of publications.
• Criterion D: interview.

Specification: Criterion A (Master’s Assessment):

• Master's final grade: 10 to 15 in the Master's final grade = 50 to 75 points; 16 to 20 in the Master's final grade = 80 to 100 points.

Admissible applications will be scored on a scale of 0 to 100 (zero to one hundred) in each of the following evaluation criteria:

• Criterion A - 0 to 100, with a weighting of 20%.
• Criterion B - 0 to 100, with a weighting of 40%.
• Criterion C – 0 to 100, with a weighting of 10%.
• Criterion D – 0 to 100, with a weighting of 30%.

Applicants shall be ranked in two phases:

• In accordance with the weighted average of the classification obtained in each of the criteria (A, B and C), which shall be known as the Ci or intermediate classification and is reflected in the following formula:

Ci = Criterion A x 0.2 + Criterion B x 0.4 + Criterion C x 0.1

• Only candidates who achieve 45 or more points in the intermediate classification will be selected for the interview phase. Final classification (Cf) is the result of the intermediate classification plus the classification obtained in Criterion D (interview), in accordance with the following formula:

Cf = Ci + Criterion D x 0.3

For the purpose of award of the scholarship, only candidates who achieve 75 points or more in the final classification (Cf) shall be considered.

In the event that tie-breaking is necessary, the ranking of the applicants shall be based on the classifications assigned in each of the assessment criteria in the following order of precedence: criterion B, criterion D, criterion A and criterion C.

Important notice for applicants with diplomas issued by foreign higher education institutions:

• Candidates with diplomas issued by foreign higher education institutions can apply and will be evaluated using the same criteria as candidates with diplomas issued by Portuguese institutions, as long as they submit, in their application, proof of recognition of equivalence of their academic degree and conversion of the final grading to the Portuguese classification scale, pursuant to the applicable legislation.
• As the only exception to the previous rule, applicants with foreign degrees who do not show proof of conversion of the final grading to the Portuguese classification scale will be given a minimum classification (50 points) in Criterion A.
• At any rate, scholarship contracts with candidates holding diplomas issued by foreign institutions will only be concluded upon presentation of proof of recognition of equivalence of their academic degree and conversion of the final grading, as indicated above.

Selection process

The assessment jury of the applicants is made up of the following members:

• Prof. Teresa Heitor, Instituto Superior Técnico (Coordinator)
• Prof. Jorge Gonçalves, Instituto Superior Técnico
• Doctor Rute Martins, Instituto Superior Técnico

They are joined by the following as alternate members:

• Prof. Isabel Loupa Ramos, Instituto Superior Técnico
• Prof. Jorge Silva, Instituto Superior Técnico
• Prof. Ana Sá, Instituto Superior Técnico

The assessment jury will assess applications in accordance with the assessment criteria for this Call, taking all assessment elements into consideration.

All panel members, including the coordinator, are committed to respecting a set of responsibilities that is essential to the assessment process, such as the duties of impartiality, declaration of any potential conflict of interest situations and confidentiality. At all times during the assessment process, confidentiality is fully protected and ensured in order to guarantee the independence of all opinions produced.

Jury members, including the coordinator, cannot be advisors or co-supervisors of applicants of this Call.

For each application, a final assessment form will be produced by the panel, in which the arguments that led to the ratings attributed to each of the assessment criteria and sub-criteria will be presented in a clear, coherent and consistent manner.

Minutes of the assessment panel meetings, which are the responsibility of all its members, will be produced.

Minutes and annexes must include the following information:

• Name and affiliation of all members of the assessment panel.
• Identification of all excluded applications and the respective reasoning.
• Methodology adopted by the panel in cases that are considered special.
• Final Assessment Sheets for each applicant.
• Provisional list of the classification and ranking of applicants, in descending order based on the final classification, for all applications assessed by the panel.
• Conflict of Interest Statements from all panel members.
• Possible delegations of votes and competences due to justified absence.

Additional comments

14. TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR RENEWAL OF SCHOLARSHIP

Renewal of the scholarship will depend on an application submitted by the holder, within 60 working days prior to the date on which said renewal is to begin, which must include the following documents:

• Statements issued by the supervisor/s and the host entity/ies reporting on the monitoring of the scholarship holder’s work and assessing his/her activities.
• An updated document showing compliance with the exclusive dedication regime.
• Document proving the renewal of enrolment in a study cycle leading to a doctoral degree.

15. INFORMATION ON AND PUBLICATION OF THE FINANCING GRANTED

All R&D activities directly or indirectly financed by the scholarship, namely all communications, publications and scientific creations, as well as theses, carried out with the support provided for in the scholarship, must make express mention of the financial support from FCT and Fundo Social Europeu, namely through the Demography, Qualifications and Inclusion Programme (PDQI). For this purpose, FCT, MCTES, ESF and EU emblems must feature in all documents referring to these actions, in accordance with the rules on to the printing standards for each operational programme.

Dissemination of the results of research funded under the RBI must comply with the rules for open access to data, for publications and other research results in force at the FCT.

For all scholarships, and in particular in the case of actions receiving community funding, namely from the ESF, monitoring and control actions may be carried out by national and community bodies in accordance with the applicable legislation in this matter, whereby the scholarship holders have the obligation of collaboration and the provision of all requested information; this may include carrying out surveys and assessment studies in this area, even though the scholarship has already terminated.

APPLICABLE LEGISLATION AND REGULATION

The Call is governed by this notice, by the FCT Research Scholarship Regulations, approved in the form of Regulation No. 950/2019, published in the II Series of the DR of December 16, 2019, by the Regulations on Research Scholarships approved by Law 40/2004, of August 18, in its current reading, and by other applicable national and community legislation.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

4 PhD Degrees in Urban Planning in Europe for 2024

• Architecture Studies
• Urban Planning

Architecture Studies (4)

• Architecture (11)
• Regional Planning (1)
• Urban and Regional Planning (1)
• Urban Design (1)
• Urban Development (1)
• Urban Planning (4)
• Back to main category
• United Kingdom (0)
• Australia (0)
• Bachelor (0)
• Certificate (0)
• Diploma (0)
• Associate of Applied Science (0)
• Associate Degree (0)
• Graduate Certificate (0)
• Associate of Arts (0)
• Summer Course (0)
• Advanced Diploma (0)
• Graduate Diploma (0)
• Postgraduate Diploma (0)
• Foundation Year (0)
• Postgraduate Certificate (0)
• A-level (0)
• Preparatory Program (0)
• Doctor of Education (0)
• Juris Doctor (0)
• Advanced Certificate (0)
• Undergraduate Pathway (0)
• Undergraduate Certificate (0)
• Graduate Pathway (0)
• 3 years (4)
• 2 years (0)
• Full time (3)
• Part time (1)
• English (3)
• Sinhala, Sinhalese (1)
• Spanish (0)
• Portuguese (0)
• On-Campus (3)
• Distance Learning (0)
• Blended (1)

Built Environment (4 Years)

University of ljubljana.

• Ljubljana, Slovenia

English, Sinhala, Sinhalese

The fundamental goal of the Program is to obtain highly trained researchers for all the scientific areas, which together contribute their expertise to the Program. By completing the Program, the graduate will be qualified for scientific thinking and solving scientific problems, as well as for cooperation in solving the demanding practical problems using an interdisciplinary approach. The Built environment doctoral Program is organized by the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering with the cooperation of internationally recognized foreign experts and experts from other faculties of the University of Ljubljana. The Program is divided into three scientific areas: the most extensive part represents the area of Civil engineering; the study area of Geodesy includes geodesy and geoinformatics; the study area of Geology; the interdisciplinary area of Spatial planning and Land management is also suitable for students with previous education in various related areas. The main emphasis of the doctoral study is on research. In addition, the Program offers various kinds of taught subjects such as the compulsory common course, compulsory courses for scientific areas, and an extensive selection of elective courses. The Program enables student mobility in the framework of both organized forms of study and individual research work.

Doctorate in Urban Future Studies

University of florence.

• Florence, Italy

PhD in Urban Future Studies. The Doctorate course in "Urban Future Studies" intends to offer young graduates the opportunity to follow a third-level training course with a qualification of excellence and international scope through the acquisition of in-depth methodological, technological, and scientific skills that allow an evaluation, both qualitative and quantitative, of the use of predominantly vegetal solutions in urban and peri-urban systems.

PhD in Architecture

Kaunas university of technology.

• Kaunas, Lithuania

Joint doctoral studies with Vilnius Academy of Arts.

Ph.D. in Architecture and Urbanism

Czech technical university in prague.

• Prague 6, Czech Republic

Our aim is to provide students with professional knowledge and skills for all aspects of the contemporary world with respect to issues in modern architecture. The main target of the studies at the Faculty of Architecture is to support a balance among the humanities, scientific and artistic disciplines.

Popular degree type

Popular study format

Popular education type

Popular locations

PhD Degrees in Urban Planning

An urban planning program can be an excellent way for students to learn all about the management of a city’s growth. It might include a wide variety of subjects ranging from zoning ordinances to economic development along with public policy, civil engineering, and funding requirements.

In all, there are over 4000 Higher Education Institutions in Europe offering a wide range of courses at Bachelor, Masters and Doctorate level. With more and more of these organizations offering English as the language of education for at least some of their degree programs, universities in Europe are now of higher quality than ever before. Universities in Europe offer a friendly welcome to foreign students and to give a course of knowledge that meets their profession needs in today’s global demand.

Requirements for the PhD program often involve the student having already obtained a Master’s degree. Additionally, a thesis or dissertation primarily consisting of original academic research must be submitted. In some countries, this work may even need to be defended in front of a panel.