IHS Institute for Housing & Urban Development Studies, Erasmus University

17/08/2026

🏙️ The challenges facing our cities - from climate shocks to rapid digitalisation - are shifting faster than ever. So why are we still teaching urban development the exact same way?

To lead real transformation, tomorrow’s urban professionals need a curriculum rooted in global systems, resilience, and actionable change.

We are evolving our flagship Master's programme in Urban Management and Development to better reflect the scope and ambition of what our graduates do every single day.

👀 Curious to learn what changes we are introducing? Stay tuned for the big news in September!

11/08/2026

Can money buy happiness?

The answer is more complicated than we might think. Income can improve people’s lives, but how much it affects well-being depends on more than the amount we earn.

"Social Comparison and Segregation Reveal Well-Being Traps" is a new publication co-authored by IHS Academic Director Professor Dr Dr Lasse Gerrits which explores the relationship between income, social comparison, and well-being. The research looks at how subjective well-being distorts recovery after economic shocks and how it is being influenced by other factors beyond just the comparison between similar people.

🔗 Curious to learn more? Click the link below!

10/07/2026

🌍 Aiming for a job in the development sector?

With agencies in over 90 countries, UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme), one of the top employers of our graduates, is likely to pop up on your mind. We asked some of our alumni, from senior leadership to more junior roles in this organisation, to reflect on their career journeys and realities of working in international development.

🔗Read their tips below.

IHS alumni working for UN-Habitat reflect on their career journeys, realities of working in international development and skills that helped them make an impact

24/06/2026

What are the true takeaways from the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF 13) for the future of our cities?

The global housing crisis is not accidental, but rather the result of structural, systemic, and governance failures that cannot be solved by treating shelter simply as a market commodity. Addressing these challenges requires cohesive, process-oriented policy frameworks that reinstate the social function of housing and formally recognise citizen-led, incremental development.

Discover our deep dive into the policy shifts needed to turn international dialogue into local action:

What are we truly taking away from the World Urban Forum as an institute? Read more in the article.

19/06/2026

Understanding urban change requires more than a single lens.

Dr Sofia Pagliarin's work draws on multiple perspectives including sociology, urban governance, digital transformation and complexity-informed research to better understand how cities change and evolve over time. Alongside her research, she is committed to supporting Master's students and PhD researchers as they develop their own academic paths at IHS.

🔗 Curious to read more about her journey and work? Read the article via the link below

Meet Dr Sofia Pagliarin, PhD supervisor, head of Academic Staff, and researcher. Learn about her career journey.

04/06/2026

⏳ The final application deadline for our upcoming Master's intake is 1 July!

If you are currently studying in the Netherlands or hold a passport from an entry-visa (MVV) exempt country, you can take advantage of a faster enrolment process.

This applies to:

🇪🇺 EU/EEA & Swiss nationals
🇳🇱 International students already in the Netherlands looking for a Master’s degree
✈️ Passport holders from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Japan, and more

With the deadline approaching quickly, we encourage you to submit your application today: https://www.ihs.nl/en/urban-management-and-development

28/05/2026

☁️"I’ve taken on diverse roles throughout my journey and learned from the people around me. It helped me build a broader understanding of different areas of work, which is very useful now as a programme director."

Meet Dina Mamdouh Abdelhady, an MSc alumna of Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies, who now serves as Programme Director at ACT Sustainable, a mission driven ecosystem delivering integrated climate and sustainability solutions.

🔗 Click the link below to read Dina’s story and learn more about the initiatives she is involved in.

Dina works as a Programme Director at Act Sustainable, overseeing projects related to sustainable development. This article takes you along her journey.

07/05/2026

🌟 Thinking about pursuing a PhD in Urban Development and Governance?

Join our online information session and discover what it’s like to pursue a PhD at IHS. Learn more about the programme structure, admissions process, research topics, and life as a PhD candidate in Rotterdam.

Hear directly from our Academic Director, Prof. Dr. Dr. Lasse Gerrits, and current PhD researcher Jialong Zhu as they share their perspectives on the programme and academic life at IHS. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask your questions during the live Q&A session.

📅 20 May 2026
🕐 13:00–14:00 CEST
💻 Online via MS Teams

🔗Register now via the link below and be part of the conversation!
e6a1ce16-a17a-4edd-805e-9e41e3025893@715902d6-f63e-4b8d-929b-4bb170bad492" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e6a1ce16-a17a-4edd-805e-9e41e3025893@715902d6-f63e-4b8d-929b-4bb170bad492

30/04/2026

As IHS prepares for the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, we reflect on the factors currently shaping urban change. Taking effective and inclusive actions at the local level, supported by global and multilevel efforts, will be crucial in achieving our shared sustainable development goals. This can only be accomplished by prioritising housing as the foundation for safe and resilient communities.

In this article we explore:

🏠 The convergence of crisis: How social unrest and climate risk intersect within our housing systems.
🏠 The urban century: Navigating a world where nearly all population growth will be absorbed by cities and towns by 2050.
🏠 From policy to action: Bridging the gap between global Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and local implementation.

Join IHS at WUF13! Our delegation will lead high-level dialogues, technical masterclasses, and research roundtables on the "5As" of adequate housing, street-led slum upgrading, and multilevel governance. You can also meet our experts at the IHS-Inform2Build booth, located in the Urban Expo. We look forward seeing you at the forum!

As IHS gets ready for the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, we reflect on factors that are currently shaping urban change.

28/04/2026

What does it take to transition from student to professional? 📈💼

Making this shift requires more than just a degree; it demands a clear understanding of the job market and a supportive network to help you achieve your goals. That’s exactly what we aimed to offer during our recent IHS Career Days.

The event featured panel discussions with alumni and IHS experts, along with interactive workshops. These activities provided students with valuable insights into career opportunities and supported their transition from academia to professional life, allowing them to explore various career paths and gain practical experience.

We want to extend our gratitude to all the speakers and alumni who participated; we truly appreciate your contributions. We hope that students left feeling inspired about the next steps in their career journeys. 🧑‍🎓