Program Objectives:
The curriculum is designed to develop an understanding of the complexities of urban systems and processes, and functional knowledge and skills for urban, rural and regional planning. MURP graduates will have the capacities to plan for cities, rapidly developing peripheries and small towns, and regions, and develop specialized expertise in any of the urban infrastructure, systems and services, including housing, mobility, water, waste management, economic development, livelihood promotion, environmental management and other areas. The Program fosters a public service orientation, and commitment to equity through multi-stakeholder engagement and participatory planning.

Academic Calendar:
The MURP academic year comprises three terms of 12-14 weeks each. The Summer Internship Program (SIP) is at the end of the First Year, for 8-10 weeks between Terms III and IV. The week usually has 18-20 sessions, including classroom sessions and Studios, and other segments such as the Settlement Planning and Management Practice Colloquium (SPMP), the Habitat Planning & Development Ethics Seminar (HPDE), the PlaceX, an exhibition of Studio projects. Co-curricular events including Leadership Talks and the PlanneX–the XUMG Annual Planning Conclave are often organized on weekends.

Program Structure:
The MURP Program includes core and elective courses and other learning segments of 105 credits. Each credit requires 10 hours of classroom contact or its Studio/field equivalent, and another 10 hours outside the classroom for preparatory reading and assignments. Students are thus expected to spend about 70 hours a week for their academic work, in preparation for the rigours of a career as a Planner. The core courses provide the conceptual and theoretical fundamentals of Planning, spatial analysis and development, and the analytical frameworks and tools for Studio work and field learning. Planning Internship, Planning Practice Colloquium, seminars and leadership talks are mandatory components which provide industry exposure and engagement.

Students have the opportunity to specialize by selecting appropriate electives and completing a final dissertation by research or design, in any of the following areas –

• Water and Waste Management
• Urban Mobility
• Housing Development and Financing
• Economic Development & Livelihoods