Urban development NRW
The degree program combines the expertise of the five participating universities of Bochum, Dortmund, Cologne, Ostwestfalen-Lippe (Detmold campus), and Siegen. Seminars and events for the degree program take place at the Technical University of Cologne. Courses are concentrated during the week, typically being held on Thursdays and Fridays, allowing you to continue your career in addition to your studies.
Your heart beats for...
A Degree Program with a Future
Our degree program combines the expertise of the five participating universities of Bochum, Dortmund, Cologne, TH OWL (Detmold campus), and Siegen. Seminars and events for the degree program take place at the Technical University of Cologne. Courses are concentrated during the week, typically being held on Thursdays and Fridays, allowing you to continue your career in addition to your studies.
Bachelor's or other graduate degree with an overall grade of 2.5 or better
Certification of German-language skills
1. Semester
- Urban development and planning history
- Urban sociology, urban planning building theory
- Urban design, landscape architecture
- City and regional development
- Design project I
- Representation and presentation technologies
2. Semester
- Planning theory
- City economy, public space
- Urban renewal, traffic planning
- General planning law, environmental law
- Design project II
- Planning-related information technology
3. Semester
- Residential water management
- Urban ecology
- Urban land-use planning
- Design project III
- Participation and integration processes
- Elective module, excursion
4. Semester
- Project development and project controlling
- Planning moderation
- Elective module
- Master’s thesis
Focus area/advance courses
- Individually selected focal area in elective module
- Selected Master's thesis topic
Our Master's degree program in NRW urban development is divided into 15 modules. In some cases, multiple sub-disciplines must be completed.
During the program, students learn about the theoretical context of the city, design methods, technical and legal aspects of urban planning, communication and presentation technologies, and project development fundamentals. Each semester is focused around a design project, and projects become more complex as students move through the program. You can work with theoretical considerations or design tasks of your choice in your theses.
In accordance with State Architectural Chamber regulations, the “Master of Science” degree qualifies graduates to enroll in the city planner register, to complete a doctoral degree at a European university, and to hold jobs in senior civil service administration. The degree is a university Master’s degree.
The Master's program prepares students to enter careers in urban planning, considering changes within both the professional field and within the social environment. Graduates are qualified for any career in urban planning and public administration.
- Institut für Designstrategien (IDS – Institute for Design Strategies): The IDS conducts research on fundamental interactions between people and spaces. It develops strategies to help achieve a climate-resilient built environment, and takes advantage of the opportunities offered by digitization for innovative approaches and complex analyses.
Research focal areas: Regenerative design, human centered design and data driven design - Institut für Energieforschung (iFE – Institute for Energy Research): Interdisciplinary research institution with members from the departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Detmold School of Design, Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics, and Business Administration and Economics. The iFE develops technologies and solutions for efficient, networked, and innovative energy systems in the fields of districts, mobility, and industry.
... the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations
- directly to good health and well-being
- directly to clean water and sanitation
- directly to sustainable cities and communities
- directly to life on land
Studying at Creative Campus Detmold
Planning and building in one place. This concept can be found on our Creative Campus. Through both topics, a very special teaching and research location has been created. The internationally renowned Detmold School of Design is located here, as well as the Civil Engineering Department and the Center for Sustainable, Digital Construction, which is currently under construction. Architectural ideas thus cross paths with new thinking in civil engineering, such as sustainable 3D printing. The campus is complemented by media production, which together with the Detmold Academy of Music and the University of Paderborn have created a completely new stage for the transfer between creative science and business in the KreativInstitut.OWL. The campus is also adjacent to the city center, which can thus be reached by foot.
Information
Contact and Counseling
- Our Central Student Advisory Service answers questions about studying at the university
- Offers for study orientation
- Get to know your department!
- Click here to go to the subject-specific student advisory service of the department
- Information on the enrollment procedure is available from the Enrollment Office
- Studying abroad? Our International Office is there for you!
Still unanswered questions?
Our Student Service Center will answer all your questions about studying at TH OWL as well as about application and enrollment:
Phone: +49 5261 702 2534
E-mail: studierendenservice(at)th-owl.de
Service hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.