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Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Development
1. Background of the Progeam
The curriculum for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Urban Planning and Development degree is designed to provide students, or train individuals with, the capacity to independently address issues and problems that contribute to knowledge and expertise in the field of urban planning. It is a doctoral degree with a flexible, interdisciplinary focus, designed to nurture distinguished scholars and researchers, offers research and learning opportunities encompassing the field of Urban Planning and Development.
It is a four-year program, and is structured to enable students to pursue one year of coursework (i.e. two semesters), in a major area, as well as minor area that complements and supports the field of specialization. The subsequent three years are dedicated for the field research, analysis, and writing of the dissertation. During these three years, the student, shall be guided by major and co-advisors for each respective research work as well as, writing the dissertation. In that respect, therefore, at all stages of the program, the student shall work closely with a faculty advisor to tailor his course of study to his particular research interests.
The program shall be based on a core curriculum of required planning and research courses, as well as, courses that focus on a content, relevant to the student’s area of research that would be in one of the approved sub-specialty. The main emphasis of the core area shall be in the following subjects.
1. Urban studies
2. Development theory
3. Advanced research methodology and Doctoral seminar
4. Advanced Urban Planning Theory and practice
5. Advanced Urban Analysis Tools & Techniques
In addition to the core area, a student may select a specific research/dissertation topic linked to one of the following sub-specialty of thematic area.
* Infrastructure development and management - (social, economic, physical & political);
* Urban Land use planning& Design;
* Environmental Planning focused on built environment;
* Landscape Planning;
* Rural or Urban development/planning;
* Transportation planning – (rural & urban);
* Planning & Managing emerging towns;
* Urban Policy; Urban Politics; Institutions & Land Governance;
* Urban or Rural Housing;
* Inner-city revitalization;
* Urbanization of cities in the developing countries;
* Other thematic area significantly relevant to the field of Urban Planning & Development.
Objectives of the Program
General Objectives
The general objective of the PhD program is to contribute towards easing the severe shortage of higher level teachers, researchers, and practitioners, policy makers and city managers, in the field of Urban Planning and Development, by producing professionals who are well equipped with research capacities as well as theoretical and practical knowledge and skills.
Specific Objective
The specific objectives of the PhD study program are:
* To influence contemporary urban planning and development practice
* To formulate strategies to increase competitiveness of urban centers at different level
* To enable students acquire valuable knowledge and skill from contribution of distinguished scholars and researchers in the field of Urban Planning & Development;
* To integrate and coordinate urban and regional development policies within the broad spectrum of physical and spatial planning framework
* To offer students, research and learning opportunities encompassing the field of Urban Planning and Design;
* To create conducive environment for students become, thought-leaders and exceptional scholars with strong research and communication skills;
* To cultivate enduring faculty/student mentoring relationships and collegial networking among the peers;
* To fill the gap where there is a complete or partial absence of skilled and knowledgeable professionals in the field of Urban Planning & Development;
* To benefit city governments and administrates, by way of offering training to individuals or to groups, to make them possible, to undertake both independent and collaborative interdisciplinary research on the planning and design of a city;
* To establish partnership, with various governmental and non-governmental institutions/organizations, as well as, national and international stakeholders and universities, on research and project work on the planning and design of cities of developing regions.
* To train all actors involved in planning processes, in methods of communication, participation and co-production, by way of organizing workshops; seminars; publication; etc.
* Contribute to urban development policies and strategies at higher levels in Ethiopia as well as between international organizations
2. Admission Requirements
Students for the PhD study in Urban Planning & Development usually would come from diversified academic backgrounds. The applicants shall be with the professional degree of M.Sc./MA in different disciplines. Those with M.Sc./MA, in Architecture, Advanced Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Housing and Sustainable Development; Urban and regional Planning; Urban Design & Development; Environmental Planning and development; Environmental Planning and landscape design; Urban Design and Planning, Urban Ecological Planning, Urban Planning and Land Administration, Urban Engineering, Geography and Environmental Studies, Urban and Regional Development Planning, Urban Management, Development Studies, Environmental Management, Regional and Local Development Studies, Urban Transport Planning, Geo informatics Engineering (GIS and Remote Sensing) and related fields shall be given priorities to join the program.
However, candidates who don’t fulfill the basic courses and skills like Introduction to Urban Planning theory and Practice, Architectural design and Basic and urban Design Principles, in their pre-doctoral studies should be obliged to undergo bridging program at master’s level so as to increase quality of this PhD Program. In addition, the applicant’s preliminary research proposal postulate to have a scientific research contribution to the underpinning issues of the field of urban planning and development.
However, all should have in common a demonstrated ability to conduct research in a specific area of planning; design and research in the context of urban & emerging towns/cities. Moreover, all shall be expected to share a commitment to achieve and maintain the necessary skill and knowledge, through study, research, and academic achievements, not only during doctoral studies, but also later on as the core activity of their professional careers.
The relevance of the academic qualifications of candidates for this specific program should be checked upon receipt of their applications. In selecting candidates, those who have publications on urban and related issues will be given priority. Besides, applicants should present focused research concept notes (maximum 5 pages) and at least two letters of recommendations from persons who are able to judge the candidate’s ability to satisfactorily undertake PhD studies. Moreover, applicants to the program shall be required to submit, a preliminary research proposal to the coordinator of PhD program in Urban Planning &Development. An Academic Committee composed of staffs involved in teaching and advising/supervising students of PhD programs in the Institute shall screen the proposal in light of its significances and contribution to knowledge, as well as looks into whether the applicant’s proposal fits the program or not. The number of the Academic Committee shall be minimum three and maximum fifty.
An applicant shall also be required to present the proposal to the Academic Committee and consequently, the committee shall cross exam the applicant, to take into account the commitment as well as, the knowledge and skills the applicant has on the subject matter of the proposal.