Urban Economic and Infrastructure Development IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University

Overview

This Urban Economic and Infrastructure Development degree from the IIHS (Institution Deemed to be) University covers the following set of themes:

• Urban, peri-urban, and regional development (economic and infrastructural)
• Employment, decent work, and social protection
• Land-based economies
• Economic enterprises and entrepreneurship
• Infrastructural systems and services
• Digitalisation
• Governance and finance
• Equity, informality, and inclusion
• Sustainability principles of urban transitions

This Master’s Programme has two distinct parts. The first two terms of this Programme root the study of economic and infrastructure development in a broader set of urban and peri-urban systems, including those of governance, finance, knowledge systems, institutions, as well as social and environmental systems, with an emphasis on India. It does so to ensure that learners have a foundational and interdisciplinary understanding of economic and infrastructure development within a broader set of systems across the rural–urban continuum.

It then equips learners in the theoretical foundations of thinking about economic and infrastructure development not only as dimensions of growth, but also as broader urban transitions towards more equitable and sustainable cities. Learners will be able to understand heterodox approaches towards fostering the inclusive, long-term economic, and infrastructure transformation of our urban regions.

This Master’s Programme focuses equally on theory, as well as policy, programmes, and practice. Graduates will be equipped with a core understanding of policies and programmatic interventions within economic and infrastructure development, and trained to design and implement interventions and programmes in the complex reality of Indian cities and settlements. This is done through multiple modes of applied, case-based, and experiential learning built on a foundation of taught theory courses. The final component of the Programme is rigorous training in interdisciplinary methods of urban research and practice, as well as specific training in advanced methods to engage with economic and infrastructure development.

Career opportunities:

Graduates of the MUEID will have a wide range of career options:

• Private Sector, across firms in urban and economic development, infrastructure, finance, and services, including work and livelihood promotion, skill development, enterprise, entrepreneurship promotion, and digital economy transitions; consulting and professional service firms; in line functions in key areas like feasibility, market demand analyses, project structuring, and risk management.
• Entrepreneurship, as commercial entrepreneurs, including start-ups, addressing market needs through innovative solutions; as social entrepreneurs working for the common good; or as public entrepreneurs working within and on public agencies of various types.
• Government and Public Sector, at the Centre, state, and local levels, including relevant civil services; public sector organisations; parastatal agencies and government SPVs.
• Development Sector, including domestic, UN, multilateral, bilateral, and international organisations; think tanks; development consulting firms; not-for-profit organisations; and philanthropies.
• Academia, in pursuit of higher education; or as educators, researchers, and trainers across India and internationally.