Resource Efficiency in Architecture and Planning (REAP)

Program overview

This international, interdisciplinary Master of Science trains students to support sustainable urban development across different geographic and cultural contexts. While the programme places particular emphasis on the technologies that deliver building and urban services, it combines that technical focus with study of the socio‑economic frameworks in which those services are managed and operated. The course aims to equip graduates to analyse and improve how cities use resources — energy, water, materials and space — and how urban systems impact environmental media and ecosystems.

What you will study

Teaching covers the interactions between building/urban services technology (building construction and renovation, energy and water supply, waste and wastewater management) and environmental effects, together with patterns of user demand and behaviour that shape those interactions. You will learn about resource‑efficient technologies (for example, renewable energy generation) and guiding principles such as source separation, closing material cycles, demand‑side management, and decentralised, modular service provision. The programme also examines legal and economic models for planning, construction and service delivery, and trains students in research methods and decision‑support techniques for planning and policy.

Approach and scale

REAP is explicitly interdisciplinary and integrative rather than a design studio or a single‑discipline course. Coursework and project work address sustainability, urban water/material/energy cycles, resource‑efficient infrastructure, administration and economics of buildings and services, and legal/policy tools. Spatial scales range from building (1:10–1:100) to neighbourhood (1:500–1:5,000) to city (1:10,000–1:100,000), and skills development focuses on dimensioning, perception, assessment and decision making in sustainable resource technologies. The full Master’s curriculum comprises 17 study modules taught over two academic years.

Key facts and entry information (concise)

• Language of instruction: English
• Degree: Master of Science (MSc)
• Duration and structure: Two academic years; 17 study modules
• Target group: International applicants from diverse academic backgrounds and work experience who are interested in technology, society and urban life
• Prior expertise: No prior background in architecture or engineering is required
• Professional accreditation: This programme is not a professional degree in architecture, urban planning or civil engineering
• Program nature: Interdisciplinary and integrative (not an architectural design course or a single‑discipline programme)

Curriculum overview

The REAP MSc combines lectures, seminars and intensive project work to teach sustainable urban resource management, with particular emphasis on water and wastewater systems, energy flows, and material cycles. Lectures and seminars provide the foundational technical and policy knowledge, while the programme’s signature element—project work—lets students apply that knowledge to practical, real-time case studies drawn from real urban contexts. Projects are supervised by faculty and anchored in the university’s research activities, allowing students to develop concrete recommendations and solutions for real-world problems.

Project-based learning and focus

Project assignments range from designing integrated building-level supply and wastewater treatment systems, to preparing environmentally sensitive retrofit plans for housing blocks, to creating incentive-driven schemes for waste management or recycling of construction materials. These projects enable students to test practical skills, deepen methodological experience, and sometimes contribute to ongoing research. About two-thirds of the courses are compulsory, with limited elective options in some areas; the programme deliberately aims for an integrative perspective across all resource flows rather than a narrow specialisation in energy, water or materials. Part-time study is possible, although some restrictions apply for certain international students.

Key modules and learning outcomes

• Key modules/topics:

  • Urban sustainable development and planning
  • Water and wastewater systems (design and management)
  • Energy systems and efficiency in the built environment
  • Material flows, reuse and recycling in construction
  • Policy instruments and incentive schemes for resource management
  • Project-based, case-study methodology linked to faculty research

• Core learning outcomes:

  • Ability to analyse and propose integrated, resource-efficient solutions at building and urban scales
  • Skill in designing technical systems (e.g., water supply/treatment) and planning interventions (e.g., retrofits)
  • Capacity to develop policy- and incentive-based approaches for waste and material management
  • Experience in translating research into practical recommendations for real-world clients or stakeholders

Practical notes and entry-related expectations

• Around two-thirds of coursework is compulsory; some elective choices are available but the curriculum emphasises integration across resource flows rather than single-topic specialisation.
• Project work benefits from relevant professional experience and familiarity with scientific methods—both are advantageous when selecting and executing project topics.
• A particular interest in environmental problems is useful for success in the programme.
• Part-time study options exist but can be restricted for some international students—check visa and enrolment rules if you plan to study part-time.

Graduates are prepared for roles where technical knowledge of urban services meets policy, planning and management. Typical career paths include positions in municipal planning and utilities, sustainability and environmental consultancies, infrastructure and building services firms, NGOs and international organisations, as well as opportunities in research, policy advice and project management that address resource efficiency at building, neighbourhood and city scales.

The programme’s focus on applied project work and interdisciplinary methods equips students to translate technical solutions into practical, context-sensitive strategies—skills that are valuable for employers dealing with urban retrofits, decentralised service provision, integrated water and waste management, and sustainable energy systems.