If your goal is to care competently and responsibly for the environment around us, the Master’s Degree in Urban and Spatial Planning offers you a high-level educational experience. Rooted in the consolidated tradition of the first School of Urban Planning in Italy, it also responds to the most urgent needs of the present while anticipating future challenges. Alongside the “historic” themes of urban, environmental, territorial, and landscape quality, new and pressing issues now require the insight and expertise of urban planners: the local-global relationship, social inclusion, urban innovation, climate change, decarbonisation, management of extreme events and risk reduction in cities (also following pandemics), and urban metabolism, supported by technologies offered by GIScience, to design the cities of tomorrow.
The professional world increasingly demands specialised knowledge to design and plan urban and territorial transformations, especially within the framework of the ecological transition. At the end of the two years, you will be able to work as a designer and manager of urban, environmental, territorial, and social planning at all levels; designer of sectoral, experimental, and strategic plans; designer of public policies; or ICT expert. You will also be eligible to take the State examination and obtain professional qualification as a planner, as provided by Italian law.
Urbanistica e pianificazione per la transizione (Italian track)
The programme has a strong international profile and offers a double degree in Urban and Spatial Planning with Tongji University in Shanghai (China). You may also join the Erasmus+ programme “Planning and Policies for Environment and Landscape”, in collaboration with the universities of Barcelona, Girona, Lisbon, and Alghero. A wide network of international universities guarantees study and internship opportunities in numerous countries and direct connections to the labour market.
The study path is organised around three interdisciplinary semester-long experiences: in the Design Lab for Transition and Resilience, you will acquire advanced skills in urban planning and environmental monitoring techniques, starting from the challenges of a rapidly changing climate. The Territorial and Landscape Design Lab focuses on planning and design in relation to heritage conservation, with particular attention to marginal areas and service design. The Urban Innovation Design Lab addresses themes of inclusion and urban innovation, aiming to make cities more inclusive and to design urban regeneration projects that are sensitive to social diversity.
Urban and Spatial Planning for transition (English track)
Studying Urban and Spatial Planning in Venice means entering the tradition of the first school in Italy to establish a master’s programme in this field in 1970. Today’s world demands a greater awareness of environmental and social issues, with a primary focus on urban resilience. Iuav MS programme in Urban and Spatial Planning for Transition offers a new vision of urban transition and innovation that considers cities and cultural heritage as common goods to be preserved despite global change.
Students can explore both theoretical and practical aspects, thanks to the collaboration with local and international organisations, to investigate new challenges related to sustainability, climate change, urban metabolism, disaster recovery planning and post-disaster rebuilding. Students can also spend an international mobility period in one of the many partner universities in Europe, thanks to the Erasmus+ scholarship programme.
Double degree opportunities are also available: by studying 2/3 semesters in a partner university, students can obtain a double degree issued by Iuav and the partner university: Tongji University (Shanghai - China).
Graduates can work as designers and managers of urban, environmental, territorial, and social planning at all levels; designers of sectoral, experimental, and strategic plans; designers of public policies and ICT experts.
Ministerial degree code
LM48 – Urban, Environmental and Regional Planning
Qualification
Master’s Degree in Urban and Spatial Planning
Number of university credits
180
Duration
2 years
Coordination
Giulia Lucertini
Language
Inglese
Italian
Location
Università Iuav di Venezia
Department
Department of Design Cultures
Entry requirements
First-cycle Bachelor’s Degree
Italian laurea
Foreign qualification
University diploma
Distribution of available places
Distribution of available places for track taught in english
Open access for the Italian curriculum
Today’s world demands a greater awareness of environmental and social issues, with a primary focus on urban resilience.
Un curriculum a forte orientamento internazionale, connesso alle competenze richieste dal mercato del lavoro e al dibattito sulla transizione ecologica.
Urban and spatial planning for transition (English track)
The calls for applications for the academic year 2026/2027 are open.
Deadline for submitting the pre-enrolment application and paying the pre-enrolment fee is Monday, 23 February 2026, 13.00 CEST.
Urbanistica e pianificazione per la transizione (Italian track)
Enrolment for the 2026/2027 academic year will open shortly.
Contributo universitario
For the 2025/2026 academic year, the total university contribution is 2,806.18 euro. Tuition is the same for all degree programmes and is divided into three instalments. The total amount varies according to students’ economic conditions and academic merit. More information on tuition fee reductions
Other fees
189 euro
regional tax
16 euro
stamp duty
Additional expenses
You may need to cover additional costs not included in tuition, such as accommodation, transport, and materials. For more information, see the Welcome Guide.
Scholarships
Students may access benefits through the Financial Aid Service: scholarships, tuition waivers, fee reductions based on the ISEE indicator, student loans, part-time collaborations, tutoring activities. 50% of Iuav students benefit from a reduction on the maximum tuition contribution. More information on Financial Aid benefits
The Study prospectus defines each year how the degree programme is organised, outlines the learning paths, and provides all the information you need to manage your studies. It is the official source of information throughout your university career.
This document sets out the rules governing degree regulations and the operating criteria of degree programmes, in compliance with laws and the Statute.
Student evaluation of teaching is one of the measures adopted by the University for teaching quality assurance, monitoring results and learning processes, and internal evaluation.
Students of all degree programmes (except newly enrolled students) complete an annual questionnaire that gives the University a broad overview of teaching, services, and overall functioning.
The sea is not just a space to cross, but one to design. Maritime spatial planning is a strategic tool for managing marine activities sustainably and protecting ecosystems. A focus to better understand what it is, what it’s for, and how it’s studied.
Main contacts for Urban and Spatial Planning
Santa Croce 601 – Venezia
This office supports the delivery of teaching for first- and second-cycle degree programmes.
Programme Coordinator
Teacher
Social networks
@IuavUrbanistica
