Master of Urban Planning

From blueprint to built environment: Lead sustainable change.

Cities are changing rapidly—and so are the ways we plan, design and manage them. The Master of Urban Planning (MUP) at American University of Sharjah prepares the next generation of planning professionals to understand and shape this change. As the first professional graduate program of its kind in the UAE, the MUP combines research-based inquiry with practice-oriented learning to address complex urban challenges across the UAE, the Gulf region and beyond. Students develop the analytical, spatial and professional skills needed to create more sustainable, resilient, inclusive and livable urban environments.

Take a multidisciplinary approach to shaping cities.

Urban planning connects the physical development of cities with transportation, infrastructure, environment, housing, policy, governance and community needs.

At AUS, you will explore urban issues across multiple scales, from sites and neighborhoods to cities and regions. Through planning theory, spatial analysis, GIS, transport planning, environmental planning, urban design and policy analysis, you will learn to understand complex urban systems and translate evidence into practical planning strategies.

AUS' interdisciplinary environment also allows you to connect planning with architecture, design, engineering, business, environmental studies and the social sciences while developing your own professional identity as an urban planner.

Study urban planning where the future of cities is taking shape.

The UAE offers a distinctive setting in which to study contemporary urban planning. Rapid urban growth is increasingly being accompanied by a focus on smart-city development, climate resilience, efficient land use, sustainable mobility, resource efficiency and quality of life. Sustainable planning in the UAE must also respond to regional conditions such as extreme heat, water scarcity and rapid population growth.

Across the emirates, planning is increasingly bringing housing, transportation, green spaces, services and social infrastructure together as interconnected urban systems. Emerging approaches emphasize compact mixed-use communities, integrated mobility, walkability, accessible amenities, shaded public spaces and nature-led design. Dubai's 20-Minute City concept is one example of the growing emphasis on bringing daily destinations closer to residents through walking, cycling and integrated transportation.

Studying these transformations firsthand gives MUP students an opportunity to examine how global planning ideas are being adapted and implemented within the rapidly evolving cities of the UAE and wider Gulf region.

Work on real urban challenges.

The MUP emphasizes learning through application. Students work on planning and urban design projects grounded in real places and contemporary urban challenges. Studios and projects engage government authorities, industry and other external partners, allowing students to move from research and analysis to strategies, plans and policy interventions with practical relevance.

Fieldwork, site visits and interaction with planning and development professionals allow students to experience urban development firsthand and connect classroom concepts with real planning decisions. Students may also participate in faculty-led research projects and funded research grants and present their work through conferences, exhibitions, publications and professional platforms.

Build the skills to make an impact.

The MUP prepares you to move confidently from evidence and analysis to planning action. You will learn to develop integrated planning and urban design strategies, analyze spatial and urban data, evaluate planning policies and development processes, understand environmental and land-use issues, and communicate planning ideas effectively through visual, written, oral and digital formats.

You will also learn how to collaborate with communities, government agencies, industry and professionals from other disciplines to develop planning solutions that respond to environmental, social, economic and spatial conditions. These capabilities are increasingly important as planners address emerging issues such as climate resilience, sustainable transportation, smart urban systems, walkability, green infrastructure and people-centered community design. The UAE's evolving urban development agenda, as evidenced by events such as RISE 2026,  illustrates how these issues increasingly intersect in contemporary planning practice.

Prepare for diverse career opportunities.

An MUP prepares graduates for professional positions across government, planning and engineering consultancies, real estate and development companies, transportation and infrastructure organizations, sustainability and smart-city initiatives, research institutions and universities. The program's existing career pathways encompass public planning, consulting, development, research and academia.

Depending on professional experience and specialization, graduates may pursue positions such as urban planner, master planner, land-use planner, transportation planner, environmental planner, urban design planner, GIS or spatial analyst, planning policy analyst, sustainability planner, climate resilience planner, smart city specialist, development planning analyst, real estate development analyst, planning consultant, urban researcher and planning project manager. These career paths are particularly relevant to the UAE's evolving urban development sector, where planners increasingly contribute to integrated master-planned communities, mobility systems, mixed-use development, sustainable infrastructure, climate-responsive planning, walkability, public-space planning and smart-city initiatives.

The MUP's combination of planning, GIS and spatial analysis, policy, urban design, research and applied project experience gives graduates a broad professional foundation while allowing them to develop expertise aligned with their career goals.

Learn from experienced faculty and professional partners.

MUP students work closely with our seasoned faculty through courses, applied projects and research. Opportunities to contribute to faculty-led research projects and grants provide hands-on experience with current urban challenges while strengthening analytical and research capabilities.

The program's relationships with government authorities, professional organizations and industry bring professional perspectives directly into the learning environment. Many MUP students are themselves working professionals, creating a strong peer-learning environment in which students share practical experience, local knowledge and professional networks.

Advance your career with a fully accredited graduate degree.

The Master of Urban Planning is fully accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The program is also an Affiliate Member of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP), USA.

The program provides a professional foundation for planning practice in the UAE and internationally while also preparing graduates who wish to continue into research and doctoral education.

Choose a study path that works for you.

The MUP is a 33-credit professional graduate program offered on both a full-time and part-time basis. Full-time students typically complete the program in two years, while part-time study provides flexibility for working professionals. Students may enter the program in either the fall or spring semester.

The degree consists of 18 credits of core courses, nine credits of electives and a six-credit capstone experience. Core study covers planning history and theory, research and analysis, GIS and computer applications, environmental and land-use planning, urban design, and plan-making and communication. Students select electives to develop deeper expertise in areas aligned with their professional and research interests.

Bring everything together through the capstone experience.

The MUP culminates in a two-part professional capstone experience in which students integrate research, analysis and planning practice.

Students work on real planning challenges and develop strategies, plans or policy interventions responding to spatial, environmental and social conditions. Projects can involve external partners, including government authorities, giving students experience working within contemporary planning contexts and responding to actual planning needs.

The capstone provides an opportunity to demonstrate the full range of capabilities developed through the program—from defining a planning problem and analyzing evidence to formulating and communicating implementable recommendations.

Who should apply?

The MUP welcomes applicants who want to develop professional expertise in urban planning and contribute to shaping and managing cities.

Students come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds; an undergraduate degree in planning is not required. The interdisciplinary character of the program makes it relevant to graduates and professionals from fields such as architecture, engineering, geography, environmental studies, design, public administration, economics, business and related disciplines.

Whether you are beginning a career in planning, expanding an existing professional role or preparing for leadership in the development of cities, the MUP provides the analytical, professional and interdisciplinary foundation needed to engage with contemporary urban challenges.

Learn more about the university’s graduate admission requirements here.

Shape the future of cities.

The next generation of cities will need to do more than accommodate growth. They will need to be connected, sustainable, resilient, inclusive and responsive to everyday life.

Across the UAE, contemporary planning is increasingly concerned with how mobility, housing, services, green infrastructure, technology and public spaces can work together to improve quality of life.

At AUS, you will learn how to understand these complex relationships—and how to translate that understanding into plans, policies and interventions that can shape more sustainable urban futures.

From blueprint to built environment, the AUS Master of Urban Planning prepares you to lead sustainable change.

Apply now to our MUP program.