LEADING THE ECOLOGICAL TRANSITION OF CITIES AND REGIONS

At the forefront of the climate and ecological crisis, cities must change everything, from mobility to housing, energy consumption to land use, to bring down CO2 emissions, adapt to a new climate, and foster biodiversity and human well-being. The Governing Ecological Transitions in Cities Track of the Master Urban Governance, Policy and Planning trains the professionals leading these transformations with an interdisciplinary curriculum and a focus on urban environmental governance.

OBJECTIVES AND SKILLS

• Understanding the role of cities and regions in the climate and ecological crisis, map the actors and the social and ecological processes at play.
• Learning strategies, leverages, and policy tools to steer the ecological transition of cities in Europe and the global north.
• Mastering the concepts and methods of the urban social and ecological sciences: quantitative and qualitative research, spatial analysis, environmental accounting, and carbon budgeting.
• Acquiring professional skills through hands-on, learning-by-doing methods: professional networking, public speaking, project management, and project reporting. 

Programme structure

First year

During the first semester, students follow courses devoted to understanding the basics of urban policy and governance and the challenges of the ecological transition in Europe and the world. During the second semester, students learn to analyze cities as social and ecological systems and acquire essential tools to jumpstart and lead the transition.
During these two semesters, students also follow methodological workshops: GIS, (geographic information systems), statistics, and qualitative research methods. Throughout the year, students work on a practical, professionally-focused group project: the group project.

Second year

During the third semester, students complete and consolidate their knowledge of strategies, tools, and leverages to steer the ecological transition of cities and regions. They also hone their professional and technical skills through hands-on workshops (material and energy flow analysis, carbon budgeting) and elective courses on real-life work experiences in different sectors of the transition (energy, mobility, biodiversity, urban agriculture, circular economy…).

The fourth semester is given over to a professional internship of at least 14 weeks and preferably six months, supervised by the programme’s senior faculty. Students write an internship report at the end of the semester.

The students can also spend this semester on exchange at a partner university.

Second year in apprenticeship

The second year can be completed in a work-study programme: students complete two semesters alternating between Sciences Po and their employer.

The apprenticeship contract can begin as early as the second half of June, with the following schedule:

Third semester, from September to December, and fourth semester, from January to May: 3 days at the employer's premises (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday), 2 days at Sciences Po (Thursday, Friday). Outside of class periods, apprentices work full-time at their employer's premises.

This program is offered in partnership with the CFA Formasup.
 

TRACK (OPTIONAL) 

RESEARCH TRACK

Students who intend to do a PhD can begin a research track in sociology or political science since the second semester of the Master's programme.

Career for change

The Governing Ecological Transitions in Cities Track offers strong career prospects in a growing sector of the European labour market, at the crossroads of urban planning & governance and ecological transitions.

Our graduates go on to work in the private, public or non-profit sectors in integration, strategy, development, design or management roles with a common goal: to tackle the climate and ecological crisis by transforming our cities and regions.

Recruiters include:

• local authorities, in particular the environmental agencies of urban and regional councils
• design, engineering and consulting firms specialising in environmental and climate issues, including lobbying and assessment
• European institutions
• large service firms
• non-profit organisations
• research centres
• city networks

Student testimonials

See other testimonials

Contacts

Academic Director : Joost de Moor

Academic Assistant (M1) ; support for international students : Antoine Tisserant

Academic Assistant (M2) : Béatrice Susana - Delpech

Academic Advisor : Cyriel Pelletier