Environmental Science

Master of Science in Urban Environmental Planning and Management

The Master of Science in Urban Environmental Planning and Management is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in urban planning, environmental planning, environmental management, and sustainable urban development. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in urban planning, environmental management, city management, and sustainable development.

Core areas include urban planning, environmental planning, environmental management, urban governance, land use planning, environmental impact assessment, urban infrastructure, climate change, GIS, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical urban environmental planning applications.

The programme is offered by Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), with Catholic University of East Africa as a college. JOOUST offers MSc Urban Environmental Planning and Management with full-time and part-time modes at Main Campus (Bondo), Kisumu Campus, Nambale Campus, and Kisii Learning Center.

Students develop competencies in urban planning, environmental assessment, land use management, GIS, climate adaptation, and research. The programme includes coursework, studio practicals, field projects, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years. JOOUST postgraduate application fee is KES 3,000. JOOUST postgraduate fees are estimated at KES 150,000/year. Entry requires Bachelor's degree in relevant field with Upper Second or Lower with experience.

Graduates pursue careers as urban planners, environmental planners, environmental managers, city managers, and consultants in government, municipalities, planning firms, and environmental organisations.

Skills Required

Urban Planning and Land Use Management
Environmental Planning and Impact Assessment
Environmental Management and Sustainability
Urban Governance and Policy Analysis
GIS and Spatial Analysis
Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
Urban Infrastructure Planning
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Urban Environmental Modelling
Urban Environmental Research Methods

Key Subjects

Urban Planning
Environmental Planning
Environmental Management
Urban Governance
Land Use Planning
Environmental Impact Assessment
Climate Change Planning
Urban Infrastructure
GIS and Spatial Analysis
Urban Environmental Research Methods

Certifications

NEMA EIA Lead Expert Certification
ISOCARP Urban Planning Certification

Specializations

Urban Planning

Focuses on urban planning, land use planning, zoning, urban design, master planning, development control, and planning and managing urban areas.

Environmental Planning

Examines environmental planning, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment, environmental zoning, and planning for environmental sustainability.

Environmental Management

Covers environmental management, EMS, ISO 14001, environmental auditing, waste management, pollution control, and managing environmental systems and quality.

Climate Change Planning

Focuses on climate change adaptation, mitigation, urban resilience, green cities, low-carbon planning, and planning for climate change in urban areas.

Urban Governance

Examines urban governance, urban policy, decentralisation, citizen participation, urban management, and governing and managing urban areas.

GIS and Spatial Planning

Covers GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis, land information systems, urban modelling, and using GIS and spatial tools in urban environmental planning.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 150,000
Private, up to: Ksh 0
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: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Urban Planning
Environmental Planning
Environmental Management
Urban Governance
Land Use Planning
Environmental Impact Assessment
Climate Change Planning
Urban Infrastructure
GIS and Spatial Analysis
Urban Environmental Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Urban Planning Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines urban planning theory, urban planning history, planning models, land use planning, zoning, urban design, and understanding urban planning theory and practice.
Environmental Planning and Impact Assessment
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers environmental planning, EIA process, scoping, impact identification, mitigation, EMP, SEA, and planning for environmental sustainability.
Environmental Management Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines EMS, ISO 14001, environmental auditing, waste management, pollution control, water management, environmental quality, and managing environmental systems.
Urban Governance and Policy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers urban governance, urban policy, decentralisation, citizen participation, municipal management, urban management, devolution, and governing and managing urban areas.
Land Use Planning and Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines land use, land allocation, zoning, density, mixed use, transit-oriented development, land tenure, land administration, and planning and managing land use.
Climate Change and Urban Resilience
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers climate adaptation, mitigation, urban resilience, green cities, low-carbon planning, flooding, heat, drought, and planning for climate change in urban areas.
GIS and Spatial Analysis for Urban Planning
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis, land information systems, urban modelling, ArcGIS, QGIS, and using GIS and spatial tools in urban environmental planning.
Urban Infrastructure and Services Planning
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers transport, water, sanitation, energy, housing, solid waste, drainage, and planning and managing urban infrastructure and services.
Sustainable Urban Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines sustainable development, SDG 11, green cities, eco-cities, smart cities, sustainable transport, green building, and developing sustainable urban areas.
Urban Environmental Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for urban environmental planning, survey design, data collection, GIS analysis, SPSS, and conducting urban environmental research, preparing students for their thesis.
Urban Environmental Economics and Finance
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines urban economics, environmental economics, project finance, cost-benefit analysis, land economics, municipal finance, and financing urban environmental planning.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an urban environmental planning and management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Urban Planning
Focuses on urban planning, land use planning, zoning, urban design, master planning, development control, and planning and managing urban areas.
Environmental Planning
Examines environmental planning, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment, environmental zoning, and planning for environmental sustainability.
Environmental Management
Covers environmental management, EMS, ISO 14001, environmental auditing, waste management, pollution control, and managing environmental systems and quality.
Climate Change Planning
Focuses on climate change adaptation, mitigation, urban resilience, green cities, low-carbon planning, and planning for climate change in urban areas.
Urban Governance
Examines urban governance, urban policy, decentralisation, citizen participation, urban management, and governing and managing urban areas.
GIS and Spatial Planning
Covers GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis, land information systems, urban modelling, and using GIS and spatial tools in urban environmental planning.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Urban Environmental Planning and Management programme begins with morning lectures on urban planning, environmental management, or GIS. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical urban environmental planning applications. Urban planning sessions cover land use planning, zoning, urban design, master planning, development control, neighbourhood planning, and planning and managing urban areas. Environmental planning sessions examine environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment, environmental zoning, ecological planning, and planning for environmental sustainability. Environmental management sessions cover EMS, ISO 14001, environmental auditing, waste management, pollution control, water management, and managing environmental systems. Urban governance sessions examine urban policy, decentralisation, citizen participation, municipal management, urban management, and governing and managing urban areas. Land use planning sessions cover land use, land allocation, zoning, density, mixed use, transit-oriented development, and planning and managing land use. EIA sessions examine EIA process, scoping, impact identification, mitigation, EMP, EIA report, and conducting environmental impact assessments. Climate change sessions cover climate adaptation, mitigation, urban resilience, green cities, low-carbon planning, flooding, heat, and planning for climate change. Urban infrastructure sessions examine transport, water, sanitation, energy, housing, solid waste, and planning and managing urban infrastructure. GIS sessions cover GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis, land information systems, urban modelling, ArcGIS, QGIS, and using GIS and spatial tools in urban environmental planning. Studio practicals provide hands-on experience with urban planning projects, environmental assessments, GIS analysis, and plan preparation. Field projects provide hands-on experience with urban case studies, site visits, community engagement, and real-world planning challenges. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering urban environmental research methods, survey design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from JOOUST faculty, NEMA officials, Ministry of Lands planners, UN-Habitat experts, and international urban planning experts provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's rapid urbanisation, environmental degradation, climate change, county devolution, and infrastructure development create high demand for qualified urban environmental planning professionals.
JOOUST offers MSc Urban Environmental Planning and Management with full-time and part-time modes at multiple campuses, providing flexible and accessible training.
Career opportunities with NEMA, Ministry of Lands, county governments, municipalities, planning firms, and international organisations like UN-Habitat and ISOCARP.
Programme addresses Kenya's urban planning, environmental management, climate resilience, sustainable cities, and devolved governance needs.

Against it

Programme requires environmental science, geography, planning, or related background, which may exclude some graduates.
Studio and GIS work requires access to computer labs, GIS software, and planning studios, which may be limited.
Specific fee structures for this programme at JOOUST and CUEA could not be independently verified.
Only one public university (JOOUST) listed as primary offering, limiting options for students.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 181 environmental science courses

Public150k to 150k

150k at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology150k at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology

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

JOOUST 300,000/2yr=150,000/yr (eafinder.com). No private.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UN-Habitat supports urban planning capacity building. NEMA supports environmental management. ISOCARP supports urban planning professional development. The programme's urban environmental planning focus attracts government, UN, and international funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
UN-Habitat Urban Planning Funding
NEMA Environmental Management Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate urban environmental planning studies at recognised universities.
UN-Habitat Urban Planning Funding
GrantKsh 300,000
UN-Habitat supports sustainable urbanisation globally, providing funding for postgraduate study and research in urban planning.
NEMA Environmental Management Funding
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
NEMA supports environmental management in Kenya, providing funding for postgraduate research in environmental planning and management.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme accepts graduates from environmental science, geography, urban planning, architecture, land management, natural resources, civil engineering, surveying, and related fields. JOOUST requires Upper Second or Lower with experience. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time modes at multiple campuses.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, planning exercises, EIA reports, policy briefs, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering urban planning, environmental management, governance, climate change, and GIS, conducted at end of each semester.
Studio and Field Project Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of studio projects, planning reports, GIS analysis, field studies, EIA reports, and practical work.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an urban environmental planning and management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JOOUST offers MSc Urban Environmental Planning and Management with full-time and part-time modes. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate urban environmental planning and management training. NEMA regulates environmental management in Kenya, and UN-Habitat and ISOCARP support urban planning internationally.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JOOUST offers MSc Urban Environmental Planning and Management with full-time and part-time modes. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate urban environmental planning and management training.
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
Professional accreditation
NEMA regulates environmental management in Kenya. Graduates working in EIA or environmental management may benefit from NEMA EIA Lead Expert certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Urban Planner
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Plans and manages urban development, overseeing land use planning, zoning, master planning, and supporting sustainable urban development.
Environmental Planner
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Plans for environmental sustainability, overseeing EIA, environmental zoning, ecological planning, and supporting environmental planning.
Environmental Manager
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages environmental systems, overseeing EMS, auditing, waste management, pollution control, and supporting environmental management.
City Manager
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages city operations, overseeing municipal services, urban governance, infrastructure, and supporting city management and development.
Planning Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Provides planning consultancy, overseeing planning studies, EIA, urban assessments, and supporting planning and development projects.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches urban environmental planning in universities, conducting research and training future planning professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as urban planners, environmental planners, and environmental managers in government, municipalities, and planning firms.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ArcGIS
SoftwarePrimary
GIS software for urban planning, land use mapping, spatial analysis, environmental planning, and mapping and analysing urban environmental data.
QGIS
SoftwarePrimary
Open-source GIS software for urban planning, spatial analysis, environmental mapping, and GIS analysis in urban environmental planning.
AutoCAD
Software
CAD software for urban design, site planning, plan preparation, drafting, and creating urban planning drawings and layouts.
SPSS
Software
Statistical software for urban environmental research, survey analysis, demographic data, and research data analysis in urban planning.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Urban environmental planning is just about drawing city maps.
The programme involves environmental planning, governance, climate change, infrastructure, EIA, GIS, policy, and research, covering comprehensive urban environmental planning and management.
This programme is only for architecture graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from environmental science, geography, urban planning, architecture, land management, and related fields.
There is limited demand for urban environmental planners in Kenya.
Kenya's rapid urbanisation, environmental degradation, climate change, county devolution, and infrastructure development create high demand for qualified urban environmental planning professionals.
Urban planning is only about buildings and roads.
Urban planning involves environmental management, governance, social equity, economic development, climate resilience, and sustainability, not just buildings and roads.
Environmental management is just about planting trees.
Environmental management involves EIA, waste management, pollution control, EMS, climate adaptation, and policy, not just tree planting.
A master's in urban environmental planning is redundant after an environmental science degree.
The master's provides specialised urban planning skills, GIS expertise, research capability, and career progression to senior planning and environmental management positions.