The Master Course will provide both background knowledge as well as practical tools for addressing crucial urban problems in the home countries of the participants. Experiences and examples will be drawn from both German and International contexts. Urban management is presented and discussed in the broader perspective of governance and sustainable development issues.

To ensure the usefulness of the class work, courses will combine theory and practice and offer training in the application of practical methods and tools. Case studies, field trips and lectures presented by experts with international experience will also contribute to the practical relevance of the information given.

The first group provides a common knowledge base relevant for understanding and managing urban growth.

This includes:

the political, social and economic aspects of urban development,

urbanization trends and problems in different regions and development contexts,

governance issues, planning and decision making theory and practice,

the concept of sustainability

The second group of modules addresses me- thods and strategies of urban management in key areas, such as land management, environmental management, urban planning, infrastructure, public service delivery and financial issues.

The third group of modules will provide special and indepth knowledge in selected subjects related to thesis work. Subjects may include participatory planning approaches, urban conservation and urban water, urban health as well as housing.