Master in Design in Management: Smart City Design Specialisation
By 2050, 80% of the world’s population will be living in cities. Soaring urban population is already putting a strain on the city infrastructures like transportation systems and public spaces. At the same time, the environmental impact of the cities is also rising by the day. Therefore, we stand at the critical juncture where we must reimagine the urban eco-systems and design innovative and sustainable solutions.
With the emergence of advanced digital technologies, endless opportunities to design smart city infrastructure and solutions have opened up in areas like mobility, urban governance or the built environment. As city dwellers, we are already using digital solutions to improve our daily lives and reduce costs. For instance, we are using ride-sharing apps and checking road congestion on our devices. Technologies like Internet of Things (IoT), self-driving vehicles, smart-grid and big data solutions will play a major role in transforming how we live in the cities. However, technologies are simply tools. Realising the vision of smart cities demands more than just harnessing the new technologies.
We need experts who can visualise the concepts for innovative solutions for future and mobilise interdisciplinary teams in designing and delivering those solutions. With the Smart City Design M.A. specialisation, the Macromedia University aims to fill the skill gap and train the urban innovators and planners of tomorrow. They will be proficient in agile design methods like design thinking. As they will be working at the intersection of architecture, design, public policy and mobility, it is imperative that they have a thorough understanding of the urban challenges, risks and the relevant tools and technologies. A positive attitude towards change and motivation to actively shape the changes will fuel them while dealing with challenging projects in mobility, urban governance or the built environment.
How can cities design solutions tailored to their needs by drawing from innovations in the various sectors? How can Internet-of-Things (IoT), digitalisation and big data be applied in designing efficient and sustainable urban solutions? How will cities have to change to adapt to the evolving urban mobility systems? How to ensure human-orientation when implementing new technologies in city infrastructures such as transportation and the built environment? These are the examples of challenges you will learn to address during this Master’s programme in Smart City Design. If these challenges inspire you and motivate you, you are the right candidate for the Master’s programme in Smart City Design.
Content of the Smart City Design M.A.
The Master’s programme in Smart City Design is tailored to help you develop a strong understanding of both the strategic and operational facets of designing smart and sustainable cities. The curriculum combines a wide overview of design topics with specialised courses designed to give an in-depth expertise in smart city design.
Our highly qualified professors challenge you to think innovative from the very beginning and help you push your boundaries both for professional and personal development. The courses are taught using practice projects and case studies imparting hands-on skills which prepare you to swiftly take on challenging responsibilities in your future roles.
Here is an excerpt of the topics covered in the programme:
- Design project management
- Framework of design management, design theories and strategy
- Leadership, strategy and innovation processes
- Applied HCD and User Experience principles
- Urban structures and concepts
- Applied smart cities design
- Design and management of urban services
- Focus project and master’s thesis
Are you motivated to help cities thrive? Then, apply online for the next intake (2018/19).
For the complete programme details, request information materials now.
Career prospects after the Smart City Design M.A.
By the time you graduate, you will have developed a clear overview of smart city design principles, urban services management, and the relevant tools and processes. Through practical examples and case studies, you will develop the confidence in applying design-thinking, transforming your ideas into actual solutions and leading projects in international settings.
You will have all the tools you need to envision future-oriented solutions and transform your idea into concrete testable solutions. Your versatility, expert knowledge and a demonstrated knack for innovative thinking make you an ideal candidate to plan and lead innovative projects within city governance, mobility companies, innovative start-ups and consulting companies. Some examples of potential roles are as follows:
- Design Manager
- City Marketing Manager
- Smart City Strategy Expert
- Manager in Business and Urban Solutions
- Manager in the Design and Urban Solutions
- Manager Smart City Mobility
- Coordinator Community Building
Visit our Alumni page and discover some inspiring career stories of our past graduates.
Focus on practice and application
At the heart of our teaching approach is our focus on practical application of knowledge. You will learn tangible skills and insights from your study projects within our partner network of more than 500 company partners during the Master's programme. In our project portal, you can get a first impression of our student projects and cooperation partners in the industry. These include, among others, Microsoft, Adidas, the Sky Group, ProSiebenSat.1 and Rolls Royce.
Our professors guide you during your entire studies and run interesting projects that allow you to apply your knowledge in a practical context helping you gain hands-on skills that will be valuable in your professional life.
Who can apply
Following the non-consecutive philosophy at Macromedia University, our programmes are open for students from all backgrounds. You do not necessarily need to have a related undergraduate degree. Our master students come with undergraduate degrees in a wide range of areas, such as business management, humanities, engineering, social sciences and so on.
The programme is targeted at innovative thinkers who aim to build a career in smart cities design, urban services management, mobility services and so on.
Programme Schedule
This programme begins in March in the Summer Semester 2019. The on-campus Pre-Semester begins in October 2018. If you have less than 210 ECTS from your undergraduate degree, you need 30 ECTS more to be eligible to join the Master programme. You can earn the extra 30 ECTS by completing the Pre-Semester.
Admission requirements and pre-semester
1. University/B.A. degree with at least 210 ECTS
If you have only 180 ECTS, we offer you the option of obtaining the required extra 30 ECTS in a
Pre-Semester course which you can complete in one of the following ways:
- Attendance based pre-semester: This is an on-campus course that starts in the winter semester to ensure that you can join the master’s programme in the summer semester without any difficulty.
- Online Pre-Semester: You can take the online pre-semester course in parallel with the first semester of your master’s course in the summer semester.
2. English language proficiency
TOEFL test with at least 72 out of 120 points or IELTS with at least 6.0 out of 9 is required. Equivalent qualifications may also be accepted, as applicable.
For more information, see
how to apply.
Do you have any questions?
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