Program Overview

Introduction to Sustainable Urban Planning and Design

The master's programme in Sustainable Urban Planning and Design focuses on the correlation between the built environment and social, economic, and institutional forces. Students gain a profound and broad understanding of the multiple factors in sustainable urban development. Project work provides students with strong practical skills. Graduates have the expertise to adapt planning and design practices to the environmental conditions and societal needs of the future.

Programme Overview

The programme brings together students of architecture, planning, civil engineering, and natural and social sciences. It equips students with theoretical knowledge and professional tools that position them as critical links, joining multiple perspectives in sustainable planning and design processes relevant in Sweden and worldwide. Coursework includes substantial time spent in studios and on projects that train students in practical skills and give them a deep understanding of planning and design practice.

Profiles

The programme offers three profiles pursued through recommended course combinations, representing different professional competencies in sustainable urban planning and design:

• Urban Planning and Design focuses on spatial and aesthetic development aspects of urban form and public spaces.
• Urban and Regional Planning addresses strategic development and land use planning across cities and regions, integrating social, economic, and environmental considerations.
• Environment and Planning centres on sustainability assessments, policy analysis, and integrating environmental science into urban decision-making.

Courses in the Programme

The courses in the programme cover topics such as:

• Urban planning
• Social sustainability
• Regional development
• Public space
• Urban form
• Green cities
• Community participation
• Sustainable transport
• Urbanism
• Resilience

Application Deadlines

For studies starting August 2026:

• 16 October (2025): Application opens
• 15 January: Last day to apply
• 2 February: Submit documents and, if required, pay application fee
• 26 March: Admission results announced

Future and Career

The programme prepares students as professionals in a growing and meaningful field, building a thorough understanding of the planning and design process and aesthetic, social, environmental, economic, and institutional factors that contribute to sustainable urban development. After graduation, students are ready to take on roles such as city architect, urban planner, project leader, sustainability consultant, architect, traffic planner, urban designer, and environmental planner, working in public organisations, private companies, research institutes, and NGOs.

Sustainable Development

Graduates from the programme have the knowledge and tools for moving society in a more sustainable direction, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The three key sustainable development goals addressed by the master's programme in Sustainable Urban Planning and Design are:

• Equity and equality
• Sustainable cities and communities
• Climate action

Faculty and Research

The programme spans disciplines within an increasingly important field within the KTH School of Architecture and the Built Environment. The school provides multi-disciplinary research and teaching, an environment ranked 42 in the world in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject (Architecture and Built Environment). The programme benefits from interdepartmental expertise in engineering, architecture, natural and social science at the Department for Environment and Planning, the School of Architecture, and the Department for Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Technology.

Faculty Involved in the Programme

• Sara Borgström, associate professor
• Karin Bradley, professor
• Daniel Koch, associate professor
• Vania Ceccato, professor
• Mattias Höjer, professor
• Tigran Haas, Associate professor
• Pernilla Hagbert, researcher
• Henrik Ernstson, professor
• Jonathan Metzger, professor
• Maria Ärlemo, lecturer

Programme Structure

The programme is a two-year programme (120 ECTS credits) in English. Graduates are awarded the degree of Master of Science. The programme is mainly offered at the KTH Campus in Stockholm by the School of Architecture and Built Environment (at KTH).