IHS Institute for Housing & Urban Development Studies, Erasmus University

⏳ 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

☁️"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.

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

🌟 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

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!

A critical moment to centre housing for inclusive and resilient cities As IHS gets ready for the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, we reflect on factors that are currently shaping urban change.

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. 🧑‍🎓

📢 We are excited to announce our participation in the WUF13 Urban Expo!

We invite you to visit our booth, where we will be showcasing our latest initiatives in sustainable urban development. This year, we are highlighting our partnership with Inform2Build - a platform dedicated to addressing the complexities of informal settlements and strengthening urban resilience.

🏙️ Whether you are interested in our professional courses, ongoing research projects, or seeking to engage with our experts on critical topics like affordable housing and climate adaptation, our booth will serve as a hub for dialogue and learning. Come meet our delegation and discover how we are working together with global partners to build more inclusive and equitable cities. We look forward to connecting with you in person!

More information about our WUF sessions coming soon: https://www.ihs.nl/en/events/ihs-13th-edition-world-urban-forum-wuf13-2026-05-17

☁️"Meeting the younger generation of students is something very exciting. It’s not just about transferring knowledge, but also about engaging with them and listening to how they view things."

Meet Dr Yirang Lim, an IHS alumna who completed both her Master’s and her PhD at IHS. She now works as Assistant Professor of Sustainability Transition & Infrastructure Systems at TU Delft. Her work focuses on sustainability transitions in the built environment, with particular attention to governance and public management of infrastructure and spatial development projects

🔗Curious how Yirang’s academic journey unfolded? Click the link in below!

Working as an assistant professor With over 13,000 alumni worldwide, the IHS Alumni Network gathers international experts in urban development from across the globe. In this series we reconnect

🌍 Scholarship opportunity for urban professionals

Are you an international student from outside the EEA looking to pursue the MSc in Urban Management and Development? The NL Scholarship is now open for applications!

🗓️ Scholarship application deadline: 26 April 2026

If you have a strong academic record and a passion for shaping the future of cities, this is your chance to join our classroom in Rotterdam.

👉 Find out if you're eligible and how to apply here: https://www.ihs.nl/en/education/scholarships/nl-scholarship

From graduates to global professionals: Where will the MSc take you? 🏙️

Join our interactive career panel to explore how the MSc in Urban Management and Development translates into impactful global roles. We will be diving into the professional journeys of IHS alumni Melody Lijoodi, Senior Land Planner in Kenya, Chiharu Koyama, Business Consultant at EY Japan and Diego Restrepo, Water Resources Management Specialist at The World Bank Group.

📅 Date: Wednesday, 22 April 2026
⏰ Time: 13:00 – 14:00 CET
💻 Platform: MS Teams

Register via the link below to join the conversation:
https://www.ihs.nl/en/events/career-paths-after-ihs-2026-04-22

Urban areas are projected to triple in size by 2030. How do we ensure that future cities are inclusive, safe, and resilient? 🌍

The Sustainable Urban Development course explores how to tackle urban challenges using innovative theories and practical strategies. Now in a hybrid format, participants dive into climate resilience, nature-based solutions, and circular economy while experiencing Dutch urban innovation first-hand.

Apply by 15 June to catch the early bird deadline!
https://www.ihs.nl/en/education/short-courses/sustainable-urban-development