Social Sciences

Master of Arts in Urban Development and Management

The Master of Arts in Urban Development and Management is a postgraduate programme that equips students with advanced knowledge and skills in urban planning, urban management, municipal governance, and sustainable urban development. The programme prepares professionals for leadership roles in county governments, urban development agencies, and planning institutions.

Core areas of study include urban planning theory, urban management and governance, municipal finance, urban infrastructure management, land use planning, urban housing and shelter, environmental planning, urban poverty and livelihoods, GIS for urban planning, urban policy analysis, and research methods. Students examine urbanisation challenges in Kenya and the Global South.

The programme is offered by Maseno University through its School of Planning and Architecture, with Moi University, Chuka University, and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology also offering related programmes. The programme combines coursework, examinations, and a thesis or research project.

Students develop competencies in urban planning, municipal management, urban policy analysis, infrastructure planning, land use management, GIS applications, urban project management, and research. The programme offers both thesis and project options, with the thesis option requiring 14-19 units and the project option requiring 15+ units distributed over four semesters.

The programme is delivered over two academic years with each year divided into two semesters of fifteen weeks each. Teaching is conducted over twelve weeks with two weeks of examinations. The programme is designed for urban planners, municipal officers, county government staff, and development professionals working on urban issues.

Graduates pursue careers as urban planners, municipal managers, county planning officers, urban development consultants, policy analysts, GIS specialists, and project managers in county governments, urban development agencies, NGOs, international organisations, and private sector consultancies.

Skills Required

Urban Planning and Design
Urban Management and Governance
Municipal Finance and Budgeting
Land Use Planning and Management
Urban Infrastructure Planning
GIS for Urban Planning
Urban Policy Analysis
Urban Project Management
Environmental Planning for Urban Areas
Research Methods in Urban Studies

Key Subjects

Urban Planning Theory
Urban Management and Governance
Municipal Finance
Urban Infrastructure Management
Land Use Planning
Urban Housing and Shelter
Environmental Planning
GIS for Urban Planning
Urban Policy Analysis
Research Methods in Urban Studies

Certifications

Kenya Institute of Planners Certification
ISOCARP Professional Membership

Specializations

Urban Planning and Land Use

Focuses on urban planning theory, land use planning, zoning, spatial planning, and urban design for sustainable city development.

Municipal Management and Governance

Examines municipal governance, urban management systems, county government administration, service delivery, and urban governance frameworks.

Urban Infrastructure and Housing

Covers urban infrastructure planning, housing policy, shelter provision, transportation planning, and utility services management in urban areas.

Urban Environmental Planning

Explores environmental planning for urban areas, urban sustainability, climate change adaptation in cities, and environmental impact assessment.

Municipal Finance and Economics

Focuses on municipal finance, urban economics, local revenue mobilisation, urban development financing, and public-private partnerships.

Urban Poverty and Social Development

Examines urban poverty, informal settlements, livelihoods, social inclusion, and community development in urban contexts.

GIS and Spatial Analysis

Covers geographic information systems for urban planning, spatial data analysis, urban mapping, and digital tools for urban management.

Urban Policy and Development

Explores urban policy analysis, development planning, urban regeneration, smart cities, and sustainable urban development frameworks.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 187,200
Private, up to: Ksh 220,800
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Urban Planning Theory
Urban Management and Governance
Municipal Finance
Urban Infrastructure Management
Land Use Planning
Urban Housing and Shelter
Environmental Planning
GIS for Urban Planning
Urban Policy Analysis
Research Methods in Urban Studies

Modules

10 in the programme

Urban Planning Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines urban planning theories, planning models, spatial planning frameworks, and urban design principles for sustainable city development.
Urban Management and Governance
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers urban management systems, municipal governance, county government administration, service delivery, and urban governance frameworks in Kenya.
Municipal Finance and Budgeting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines municipal finance, local revenue mobilisation, urban development financing, public-private partnerships, and municipal budgeting.
Land Use Planning and Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers land use planning, zoning, land tenure systems, land administration, and spatial planning for sustainable urban development.
Urban Infrastructure and Housing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines urban infrastructure planning, housing policy, shelter provision, transportation planning, and utility services management in urban areas.
GIS for Urban Planning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers geographic information systems for urban planning, spatial data analysis, urban mapping, and digital tools for urban management.
Urban Environmental Planning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Explores environmental planning for urban areas, urban sustainability, climate change adaptation in cities, and environmental impact assessment.
Research Methods in Urban Studies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for conducting original research in urban development and management.
Urban Policy Analysis and Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines urban policy analysis, development planning, urban regeneration, smart cities, and sustainable urban development frameworks.
Thesis or Research Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis or project on an urban development and management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and urban planning theory, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Urban Planning and Land Use
Focuses on urban planning theory, land use planning, zoning, spatial planning, and urban design for sustainable city development.
Municipal Management and Governance
Examines municipal governance, urban management systems, county government administration, service delivery, and urban governance frameworks.
Urban Infrastructure and Housing
Covers urban infrastructure planning, housing policy, shelter provision, transportation planning, and utility services management in urban areas.
Urban Environmental Planning
Explores environmental planning for urban areas, urban sustainability, climate change adaptation in cities, and environmental impact assessment.
Municipal Finance and Economics
Focuses on municipal finance, urban economics, local revenue mobilisation, urban development financing, and public-private partnerships.
Urban Poverty and Social Development
Examines urban poverty, informal settlements, livelihoods, social inclusion, and community development in urban contexts.
GIS and Spatial Analysis
Covers geographic information systems for urban planning, spatial data analysis, urban mapping, and digital tools for urban management.
Urban Policy and Development
Explores urban policy analysis, development planning, urban regeneration, smart cities, and sustainable urban development frameworks.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures at Maseno University's School of Planning and Architecture on urban planning theory, municipal governance, or GIS applications. Students engage in studio-based planning exercises, developing land use plans, urban development proposals, and spatial analysis projects. GIS lab sessions provide hands-on training in spatial data analysis and urban mapping. Case studies of urbanisation challenges in Kenyan cities, informal settlements, and county development planning provide practical context. Site visits to urban development projects, municipal offices, and planned neighbourhoods allow students to observe urban management in practice. Group projects involve developing urban policy briefs, municipal finance analyses, and infrastructure plans. Guest lectures from county planners, municipal officers, and UN-Habitat professionals provide real-world insights. Those in the research phase conduct independent research on urban development topics, working on their thesis or project under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme addresses Kenya's rapid urbanisation challenges, producing professionals urgently needed by county governments and urban development agencies.
Maseno University's School of Planning and Architecture offers specialised facilities and faculty expertise in urban planning and management.
Programme offers both thesis and project options, accommodating students with different career goals in academia or practice.
UN-Habitat headquarters in Nairobi provides exceptional networking, internship, and career opportunities for urban development students.

Against it

Programme requires interdisciplinary knowledge spanning planning, economics, governance, and environmental science, which can be challenging.
Limited specialised infrastructure and GIS facilities at some offering universities may constrain practical learning.
Urban development jobs in county government may require additional professional certification from the Kenya Institute of Planners.
Programme content must constantly evolve to keep pace with rapidly changing urbanisation patterns and governance frameworks.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Public120k to 187k

120k at Chuka University187k at Moi University

Private130k to 221k

130k at Mount Kenya University221k at Daystar University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Chuka MA ~120K/yr (official PDF). Moi 187.2K/yr. MKU 130K. Daystar ~221K/yr.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. County governments may sponsor planning staff for urban development training. UN-Habitat, headquartered in Nairobi, offers fellowships and internship opportunities for urban development students.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
County Government Sponsorship
UN-Habitat Fellowships

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
County Government Staff Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
County government planning and development staff sponsored for capacity building in urban development and management.
UN-Habitat Fellowships
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
Fellowships and internships offered by UN-Habitat for urban development students and professionals, based in Nairobi.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme offers both thesis and project options. Thesis option requires 14-19 units over four semesters; project option requires 15+ units. Each semester is fifteen weeks with twelve weeks of teaching and two weeks of examinations.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, urban analysis essays, planning exercises, GIS lab assignments, policy brief writing, and seminar presentations conducted throughout each semester.
Studio Projects
Practical20% of the mark
Studio-based planning projects including land use plans, urban development proposals, spatial analysis projects, and GIS applications assessed through studio critique.
Final Examination
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering urban planning theory, management, and policy, including essay questions and case analysis.
Thesis or Research Project
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis or project on an urban development topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and urban planning theory, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Maseno University offers the programme through its School of Planning and Architecture. Moi University, Chuka University, and JOOUST are all CUE-accredited public universities.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Maseno University offers the programme through its School of Planning and Architecture. All offering institutions are CUE-accredited public universities.
Kenya Institute of Planners
Professional certification
Kenyan professional body for urban and regional planners. Graduates may pursue KIP professional certification for career advancement and professional recognition in urban planning.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Urban Planner
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Develops urban plans, land use plans, and development proposals for county governments, planning agencies, or private consultancies, shaping sustainable urban growth.
Municipal Manager
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages municipal operations and service delivery in county governments, overseeing urban infrastructure, planning, and development programmes.
County Planning Officer
High demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 300,000
Leads county planning functions including spatial planning, development control, and urban development project management for county governments.
Urban Development Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 450,000
Provides consulting services on urban development, planning, and management for government agencies, NGOs, international organisations, or private developers.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Analyses urban policy and development issues for government agencies, think tanks, or NGOs, providing evidence-based recommendations on urban governance.
GIS Specialist
High demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 280,000
Applies GIS and spatial analysis skills to urban planning, land management, and development projects for government agencies, consultancies, or international organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as urban planners, municipal managers, county planning officers, and urban development consultants in county governments, urban development agencies, NGOs, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ArcGIS
SoftwarePrimary
Industry-standard GIS software for spatial analysis, urban mapping, land use planning, and geographic data management in urban development.
QGIS
SoftwarePrimary
Open-source GIS software providing spatial analysis, mapping, and geographic data processing capabilities for urban planning applications.
AutoCAD
Software
CAD software for urban design, site planning, and technical drawing in urban development and spatial planning projects.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for quantitative research in urban studies, including demographic analysis, survey data, and urban indicators.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Urban development is just about building houses and roads.
The programme covers comprehensive urban management including governance, finance, environmental planning, social development, policy analysis, and sustainable development, going well beyond physical infrastructure.
This programme is only for architects and engineers.
The programme is multidisciplinary, accepting graduates from geography, sociology, economics, planning, and public administration, as urban management requires diverse perspectives.
Urban development has limited relevance in Kenya.
Kenya is rapidly urbanising, with county governments needing trained urban managers to address growing challenges of housing, infrastructure, service delivery, and environmental sustainability.
Urban planning is the same as architecture.
While related, urban planning focuses on the spatial, social, economic, and governance dimensions of cities, while architecture focuses on building design and construction.
GIS is too technical for social science graduates.
The programme teaches GIS from foundational levels, making it accessible to students from diverse backgrounds who want to apply spatial analysis to urban management.
Urban development graduates can only work in government.
Graduates work in county governments, NGOs, international organisations like UN-Habitat, private consultancies, research institutions, and real estate development companies.