Program Overview

---

Introduction to the Land Use Planning Thesis Track

The Land Use Planning group (LUP) is studying the process and substance of land use planning. Land use planning is a discipline on the nexus of practice and science. Land use planning in practice relates to a wide variety of activities such as analysing the spatial organisation, organising planning processes and designing plans and visions for future situations. Land use planning as a scientific discipline reflects on these practices and develops new insights and knowledge about (spatial) concepts, strategies and instruments.

More about this Thesis Track

Doing a MSc thesis in Land Use Planning within the Urban Environmental Management programme involves exploring how land use planning responds to issues like climate adaptation, urban biodiversity, mobility transitions, competing spatial demands and changing social dynamics. The focus is on improving spatial quality and supporting inclusive, future-proof development.

Research Areas

Students in the Urban Environmental Management programme can choose thesis topics linked to ongoing research projects within the Land Use Planning group, or focus on their own land use planning issues. Current research areas within the Land Use Planning group include:

• Urban sprawl and networks
• Public space management, urban green spaces, and urban agriculture
• Landscape ecology and nature
• Rural-urban dynamics and liveability
• Water management
• Heritage management
• Mobility and infrastructure
• Governance, participation, trust and justice
• History and consequences of planning policies

Methodologies

These topics require addressing a clear spatial dimension, as problems typically arise from a particular spatial distribution of water, nutrients, people, capital, power, etc. Through qualitative and/or quantitative approaches (e.g. case studies, spatial analysis, policy analysis, stakeholder interviews, and participatory research), students can analyse real-world planning practices that can contribute to more favourable spatial distributions, and evaluate how instruments and concepts shape urban space, with attention to effectiveness, landscape quality, efficiency, legitimacy, justice, and practicability.

Courses

The following courses are part of the programme Urban Environmental Management when selecting the thesis track Land Use Planning. Next to these thesis specific courses, you will follow courses from the common part and electives as summarised in the programme outline.

Compulsory Courses

• Reflections on Planning and Design Practices | LAR37306
• Planning for Urban Quality of Life | LUP23806
• Political Dilemmas of Spatial Planning | LUP32806
• Planning and Design of Urban Space | ETE33806
• MSc Thesis Land Use Planning | LUP80436
• MSc Internship Land Use Planning | LUP70224

Restricted Optional Courses

You may choose the following urban courses:

• Governance for Sustainable Cities | ENP36806
• Managing Urban Environmental Infrastructure | ETE32806

Supporting Courses

In order to prepare well for your thesis track, you can additionally choose supporting courses. These courses focus, for example, on quantitative and data sciences.

Programme Structure

This course overview is based on the Wageningen University study handbook, where you can find a more detailed course and programme description. The study handbook is guiding in case of any discrepancy.

Conclusion

The Land Use Planning thesis track within the Urban Environmental Management programme at Wageningen University offers students a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding and addressing the complex challenges of land use planning. By exploring the intersection of practice and science, students can develop the knowledge, skills, and insights necessary to contribute to more sustainable, equitable, and effective land use planning practices.