Master's Degree - Master programmes

I'm from Italy and I used to study Environmental and Territorial Engineering at the Politecnico di Milano in Milan. I'm very curious and love to learn about new cultures and points of view, so when I graduated I started looking for a Master's programme in Europe. I found the Master's in Urban Planning and Design (MPPU) at FEUP very interesting, as it allowed me to learn more about urban management and met my expectations of an academic path that combines theory with practice. In fact, during my first year at the MPPU, I attended classes on topics ranging from urban policy to urbanism and applied these concepts in group projects. The final year thesis will now allow me to specialise in the area that fascinates me most and apply theoretical knowledge to real cases. In addition, the international environment of the course allowed me to meet people from Europe and South America and to exchange ideas and experiences with people from very different personal and academic backgrounds.

At the MPPU I found a welcoming environment and very approachable people. In fact, the teachers and staff are always available for a chat and, as the study programme has a limited number of students, we all know each other and the teachers know our names. I found the interactive approach to the lessons fascinating because it makes the students active and able to think and research information. I recommend MPPU to anyone interested in urban planning.

I had actually applied earlier for another programme abroad but was rejected in March. As that course’s application period only takes place between October and November, re-applying would mean “losing” more than a year. That’s when MPPU revealed as a viable alternative. Its application period was still open for that year and I would not need to move away. I decided to have a go with it. I thought that, if I wouldn’t be satisfied, I could always re-apply to the other course abroad. And I ended up not re-applying.

After graduating in Architecture and starting to practice it in a studio, I felt the need to further my studies in something related to ecology and sustainable technologies. I did study, part-time, Landscape Architecture for three years but, never concluded. After ten years practice, I was missing the diversity of discussions and the constant flow of new ideas one is exposed to in academia. I wanted more. I wanted to make a difference, not reduced to just another architect.

This course introduced me to matters such as the diversity of planning policies and governance tools. The teachers were well experienced in the practice and/or research field and, therefore, a reliable source of a variety of “real life” examples. I only regret we did not have more time together. Unfortunately, our classes took place during the pandemic which meant that a significant part of them were online and the access to campus was restricted. Therefore, we were not able to spend as much time in campus with teachers and co-student as we would have wanted.

With this degree, I hope to have the chance to access the field of urban and regional planning. Either through institutions – such as universities and public authorities – or through my own practice – such as consultancy services to third parties.