Spatial Planning for Regions in Growing Economies (SPRING)

Overview

This one-year/two-year Master of Science programme (please confirm duration with the university) offers intensive training in development theories, planning concepts and practical tools for designing and managing regional development in the Global South. Teaching combines conceptual courses with practice-oriented field studies that focus on preparing regional development plans and programmes for contexts in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The curriculum places particular emphasis on the cultural and socio-economic specificities of developing countries and on planning approaches that bridge the gap between broad macro-regional strategies and community-level interventions.

The programme treats development planning as a problem-oriented management process. Students learn how to analyse development problems and potentials, set objectives and policies, design plans and programmes, assess environmental impacts, foster target-group participation in decision-making, implement and manage interventions, and monitor and evaluate outcomes. Field exercises give hands-on experience in applying these methods and tools in real-world regional settings.

Key objectives (what you will learn to do)

• Identify development problems, trends, resources, constraints and potentials
• Formulate development objectives, policies and strategies
• Design regional plans and programmes
• Assess environmental impacts of plans and programmes
• Organise target-group participation and decision-making processes
• Apply instruments for programme implementation and management
• Evaluate and monitor plans and programmes

Program facts (practical points for international applicants)

• Degree: Master of Science (MSc)
• Language of instruction: English
• Academic field: Architecture / Spatial planning with a development focus
• Practical orientation: Practice-oriented field studies in Africa, Asia and Latin America
• Planning focus: Development management at the level between macro-regional and community-based planning

Note: For up-to-date admission and application requirements (e.g., academic prerequisites, language proof, documents and deadlines), please consult the university’s official programme page.

This two-year, 120 CP Master’s programme combines a year of study at TU Dortmund University with a second year at one of five international partner universities in Ghana, Tanzania, the Philippines, Brazil or Chile. The curriculum is organised into 10 modules delivered through lectures, seminars, exercises, workshops and field excursions. The first year (at TU Dortmund) covers foundational and advanced planning subjects, while the second year focuses on region-specific policy, applied workshops and an independent master’s thesis at a partner institution.

Throughout the programme you will develop practical and research skills for planning in rapidly changing economies: from core planning approaches, tools and governance frameworks to thematic expertise in land, housing, infrastructure and socio-economic dimensions. Key learning outcomes include the ability to design and manage planning projects, apply quantitative and qualitative research methods, formulate policy-relevant interventions in diverse national contexts, and produce an independent, research-based master’s thesis demonstrating advanced competence in spatial/regional planning.

Curriculum overview and credit points (CP)

• Year 1 (TU Dortmund) — Modules 1–6 (total 60 CP)
  • Module 1: Planning Approaches and Key Skills for Planning — 8 CP
  • Module 2: Master’s Project — 12 CP
  • Module 3: Land, Housing and Infrastructure in a Global Perspective — 20 CP
  • Module 4: Planning Tools — 6 CP
  • Module 5: Planning Theory and Governance — 7 CP
  • Module 6: Socio‑Economic Dimensions of Urban and Regional Planning — 7 CP
• Year 2 (partner universities) — Modules 7–10 (total 60 CP)
  • Module 7: Planning and Research Methods
  • Module 8: Country-specialised Policy Planning and Implementation (options: Ghana, Philippines, Tanzania, Brazil, Chile)
  • Module 9: Development Planning Workshop
  • Module 10: Master’s Thesis

For full course descriptions, syllabi and detailed learning objectives, consult the SPRING Module Handbook (PDF).

Graduates are prepared for professional roles in regional and urban development planning, international development organisations, governmental planning agencies, NGOs, and consulting firms focused on infrastructure, housing and sustainable development. The programme’s mix of theoretical training, applied fieldwork and international exposure equips alumni to design, implement and evaluate development programmes and to manage multi-stakeholder planning processes in low- and middle-income country contexts.

The second-year placement at a partner university and hands-on planning workshops build a practical portfolio and international network that can help graduates pursue careers in project management, policy advisory, research institutions, and donor-funded programmes working on regional development, governance and sustainability.