Mahs-Maulp

21/09/2026

21/09/2026

New academic year, new students & new memories to be made! We welcome the new cohort of Master of Human Settlements students that come from all around the world. May it be an insightful year filled with exchange, questions & curiosities!

Let the adventure begin!

22/07/2026

As we conclude another World Urbanisms Seminar, we are excited to share the full version of World Urbanisms Seminar Paper 8.

The publication brings together student theses, ongoing research, and discussions presented throughout this year’s seminar, highlighting diverse perspectives and investigations into contemporary urban challenges.

Check out the full paper via the .

15/06/2026

📣📣📣 13th World Urbanism Seminar schedule is out!
Get ready for an intensive 3‑day programme (June 24–26) bringing together thesis presentations and student work, exhibitions from across the year, lectures and panel discussions, and alumni sharing insights from practice - all coming together as a reflection on the academic year. We wrap up on the final day with a closing reception 🥂
🔗 Full schedule via

01/06/2026

✨ Save the date! ✨
The 13th World Urbanisms Seminar is happening June 24–26 in Leuven!!
Three days of student work, research, exhibitions, and conversations bringing together MAULP, MaHS, and MIRA students’ theses 🎉. With keynote lectures by Björn Bracke and Darío Javier Iza Pilaquinga, plus Studio Atlas & Ecuador field-workshop exhibitions.

A moment to reflect, share, and celebrate the academic year together — see you there!

# architecture

19/05/2026

On 25 May, 2026 UULP Seminar will take place: Locating the Designer: Position and Positionality in Spatial Practice !

The seminar will include lectures and roundtable discussion between researchers on both the cofusion between, and possibility of, a joint reflection on position and postitionality of the designer within the processes of urbanization.

Check out the seminar’s information via the ! The event is free of charge but registration is required.

05/05/2026

Continue our Alumni in the Spotlight series is Balaji Rajkumar. He graduated from our MaHS program in 2011. Since then, he has led major urban design and architectural projects focusing on urban revitalization, resilience, and humanitarian development. Balaji Rajkumar is currently Program Manager at UN-Habitat, Afghanistan, specializing in community infrastructure, durable solutions, DRR and return and reintegration.

Read more about his story via the !

29/04/2026

In March 2026, our students conducted on‑site research in Mathare, working with local researchers, community organizations, residents, and public institutions. Their fieldwork fed directly into thesis research and concluded with a shared presentation and workshop in Nairobi. Check the to read their full story !!
Discover their ongoing dialogue and reflections on

27/04/2026

We are proud to share that Véronique Claessens, alumna of our undergraduate and graduate programs (GGS RSO, predecessor of MAULP), has been appointed Honorary Professor at our faculty and named new Bouwmeester of Flanders 👏👏👏
In her new roles, she will focus on affordable housing and on strengthening the role of public space as a core component of architecture and neighbourhood development.
A wonderful recognition of her commitment and vision—congratulations 🍀

24/12/2025

As we reach the end of 2025, we’re excited to share some wonderful news from our alumnus: Supanut Udomsilaparsup (MaULP 2024), is one of the winners of the KU Leuven Future Proef Awards and will be advancing to the Flemish round 🎊🎊🎊

His thesis, “Reconfiguring ‘Wet Ideology’: Vernacular Adaptation and Modern Engineering along the Mun River, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand”, under the supervision of prof. dr. Kelly Shannon, explores a new urbanism approach for a floodplain city increasingly at risk due to climate change and hard embankment structures. By integrating vernacular wisdom with modern engineering, Supanut proposes a water-based urbanism that reframes flooding from a disaster into an adaptive opportunity to live with water, while reactivating the vital relationship between water, land, and people.

We warmly congratulate Supanut on this well-deserved recognition. We’re incredibly proud to see MaULP research contributing to climate-resilient urban futures 🌱