Our Programme
Introduction to the Master's Programme on Sustainable Cities
The Norman Foster Institute’s (NFI) Master’s Programme on Sustainable Cities is a year-long initiative designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for evidence-based city-making. This programme operates with a global view on the belief that cities are central to addressing the critical environmental, social, and economic challenges of our era, aiming to transform urban spaces into more sustainable, livable, and resilient communities.
Time is divided between lectures, research and on-site experience within selected areas and with city planners and administrators. The programme is open to graduate and postgraduate students, as well as professionals with a background in Architecture, Planning, Economics, Science, Engineering, Sociology and Anthropology, among other disciplines.
About the course
LANGUAGE English
CAMPUS Madrid, Spain
LENGTH 1 year
MODE OF STUDY Full Time
FORMAT In Person
DATES January – December
About the course
LANGUAGE English
CAMPUS Madrid, Spain
LENGTH 1 year
MODE OF STUDY Full Time
FORMAT In Person
DATES January – December
Programme Summary
STAGE I
Foundations
A global, in-depth study of the history, governance, ethics and metrics of sustainability in cities.
Introductory Week + 3 Weeks
Summary
Foundations consist of an in-depth study of the concepts and processes necessary to understand a city, from history and governance to the ethics and metrics that define sustainable cities. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the ‘importance of a place’, building upon concepts such as ‘townscape’ and ‘cityscape’, as well as different strategies of urban space making.
Skill Courses
Sustainable Policies Framework
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Green building standards
- EU taxonomy
Historical Research Methods
- Archives and sources
- Cartography
- Global history
Leadership Skills
- Governance
- Ethical boundaries
- Participatory processes
STAGE II
Transformations
A vision of transformation challenges and opportunities for sustainable cities.
12 Weeks + 2 Pilot City Engagement
Summary
Transformations provides an understanding of the challenges and opportunities for transformations in each city. It studies six of the layers at which a city could be defined: Climate & Natural Environments, Networks & Mobility, Planning & Building, Resources & Energy, Economy & Social Activity and Culture & the Arts.
Skill Courses
Urban Analytics I
- QGIS
- Python
- Data preparation
- Data modelling
- Urban metrics
Research & Communication
- Research methodologies & ethics
- Archives & sources
- Dissemination & publishing
- Presenting
- Mapping theory & graphics
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Business models
- Fundraising
- Feasibility & benchmarks
- Scaling up
- Incubators & accelerators
STAGE III
Interventions
A project-based testing of implementation strategies adapted to the selected areas.
12 Weeks + 6 Weeks of Project Development
Summary
Skill Courses
Urban Analytics II
- Network analysis
- Statistical aggregations
- Data mining
- Data visualisation
- Evidence-based workflows
Leadership & Project Planning
- Team management
- Risk taking and decision making
- Collaborative project planning
- Agile project development
Engagement & Outreach
- Stakeholder outreach
- Public participation
- Crowdfunding
- Social media management
- Marketing and promotion
STAGE 1
Foundations
A global, in-depth study of the history, governance, ethics and metrics of sustainability in cities.
Introductory Week + 3 Weeks
Summary
Foundations consist of an in-depth study of the concepts and processes necessary to understand a city, from history and governance to the ethics and metrics that define sustainable cities. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the ‘importance of a place’, building upon concepts such as ‘townscape’ and ‘cityscape’, as well as different strategies of urban space making.
STAGE 2
Transformations
A vision of transformation challenges and opportunities for sustainable cities.
12 Weeks + 2 Pilot City Engagement
Summary
Transformations provides an understanding of the challenges and opportunities for transformations in each city. It studies six of the layers at which a city could be defined: Climate & Natural Environments, Networks & Mobility, Planning & Building, Resources & Energy, Economy & Social Activity and Culture & the Arts.
STAGE 3
Interventions
A project-based testing of implementation strategies adapted to the selected areas.
12 Weeks + 6 Weeks of Project Development
Summary
Interventions enables ideas that reduce embodied and operational emissions to improve public health and create a new vision for communities. This stage is dedicated to testing a range of strategies for sustainable improvement in each field for the selected areas.
Skill Courses
Sustainable Policies Framework
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Green building standards
- EU taxonomy
Historical Research Methods
- Archives and sources
- Cartography
- Global history
Leadership Skills
- Governance
- Ethical boundaries
- Participatory processes
Skill Courses
Urban Analytics I
- QGIS
- Python
- Data preparation
- Data modelling
- Urban metrics
Research & Communication
- Research methodologies & ethics
- Archives & sources
- Dissemination & publishing
- Presenting
- Mapping theory & graphics
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Business models
- Fundraising
- Feasibility & benchmarks
- Scaling up
- Incubators & accelerators
Skill Courses
Urban Analytics II
- Network analysis
- Statistical aggregations
- Data mining
- Data visualisation
- Evidence-based workflows
Leadership & Project Planning
- Team management
- Risk taking and decision making
- Collaborative project planning
- Agile project development
Engagement & Outreach
- Stakeholder outreach
- Public participation
- Crowdfunding
- Social media management
- Marketing and promotion
Pilot Cities
Admissions
Official Certification
The NFI provides a Master’s Degree Diploma for the Programme on Sustainable Cities, in partnership with the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid signed by the Co-Directors Norman Foster, President of the Norman Foster Foundation and Advocate of the United Nations Forum of Mayors and Kent Larson, Director of the City Science Group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab. Additionally, it is signed by the NFI Provost, Prof. Edgar Pieterse, Founding Director of the African Centre for Cities (ACC) at the University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa, and the Rector of Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Prof. Amaya Mendikoetxea.
Application form
Download the application form – Applicants are required to submit all the required materials within the applications period.
A Selection Committee designated by the Academic Council will review the applications following excellence standards. Learn more about the different stages by downloading the application form.
Scholarship
Scholarship – The NFI awards scholarships to talented applicants in need of financial support, based on merit, distinctive competencies, background and/or academic excellence.
Admissions
Official Certification
The NFI provides a Master’s Degree Diploma for the Programme on Sustainable Cities, in partnership with the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid signed by the Co-Directors Norman Foster, President of the Norman Foster Foundation and Advocate of the United Nations Forum of Mayors and Kent Larson, Director of the City Science Group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab. Additionally, it is signed by the NFI Provost, Prof. Edgar Pieterse, Founding Director of the African Centre for Cities (ACC) at the University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa, and the Rector of Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Prof. Amaya Mendikoetxea.
Application guidelines
Register to receive the application guidelines – Applicants are required to submit all the required materials within the applications period.
A Selection Committee designated by the Academic Council will review the applications following excellence standards. Learn more about the different stages by downloading the application form.
Scholarship
The NFI awards scholarships to talented applicants in need of financial support, based on merit, distinctive competencies, background and/or academic excellence.
Register here
Apply for a Scholarship
Academic Council
Norman Foster | NFI Co-Director
Kent Larson | NFI Co-Director
Edgar Pieterse | NFI Provost
Dava Newman | NFI Honorary Dean
Alejandro Aravena
Deborah Berke
Shigeru Ban
Vishaan Chakrabarti
Beatriz Corredor
Andrés Jaque
Elena Foster
Ian Goldin
Francis Kéré
María Vassilakou
Full Academic Body List
