Urban Studies
The Graduate School of Urban Studies offers a unique multidisciplinary programme, allowing students to develop specific skills in global urban dynamics and city transformations at various scales.
Rooted in geography, history, sociology, urban planning, and local development, this programme addresses contemporary urban challenges in a comprehensive way. It provides the tools and methods needed to analyse urbanisation processes and their economic, social, political, and environmental impacts.
Presentation
The Graduate School of Urban Studies offers an integrated programme at the master’s and doctoral levels, drawing on the research and teaching strengths of Université Paris Cité. The Graduate School combines different disciplines to provide a comprehensive understanding of contemporary urban dynamics. By exploring key topics such as demographic inequalities, urban growth, social fragmentation, and sustainability in the context of climate transition, it prepares students to analyse the processes shaping cities today.
This transdisciplinary approach goes beyond traditional frameworks, using varied methods from urban planning to the analysis of social and environmental dynamics. It emphasises the use of spatial data, the study of urban ecosystems, and governance, addressing tensions among urban actors.
With its vast network of international partnerships (in Europe, America, Asia, and Africa), the Graduate School of Urban Studies gives students privileged access to global collaborations.
Contact
Laurent FARET
faret@u-paris.fr
Masters
Master’s programmes are offered in French and English
- Energy
- Geography, Planning, Environment, and Development (GAED)
- History, civilisations, and heritage
- Studies, consulting, and intervention (MECI)
- Social sciences
Research
The Graduate School Urban Studies is supported by eight renowned research teams at Université Paris Cité, collaborating with major institutions such as CNRS, IRD, and INALCO. This ecosystem puts master’s students and doctoral candidates at the center of an international research network, strengthened by partnerships with institutions like the École nationale supérieure d’architecture Paris-Val de Seine and Université Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne.
Research platforms, such as Géotéca and RIATE, provide advanced tools for studying geomatics, mapping, and territorial dynamics.
Laboratories
- ANHIMA – Anthropologie et Histoire des Mondes Antiques (UMR 8210)
- CESSMA – Centre d’Études en Sciences Sociales sur les Mondes Africains, Américains et Asiatiques (UMR 245)
- GéoCités – Geography-cities (UMR 8504)
- ICT – Identités Cultures Territoires (URP 337)
- LADYSS – Social Dynamics and Space recomposition Laboratory (UMR 7533)
- LIED – Paris Interdisciplinary Energy Research Institute (UMR 8236)
- PRODIG – Pôle de Recherche pour l’Organisation et la Diffusion de l’Information Géographique (UMR 8586)
- URMIS – Migrations and Society Research Unit (UMR 8245)
Doctoral schools
Executives
- Jean-Baptiste DELZANT
Lecturer of History - Laurent FARET
Professor of Geography - Matthieu GIMAT
Associate Professor in Urban and Regional Planning - Christian POIRET
Associate Professor of Sociology
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