The continuous increase in the number and size of cities and the ensuing transformation of virgin landscapes on different scales pose significant challenges for reducing the rate of biodiversity loss and related ecosystem functionality and ensuring human welfare. Probably most of the major environmental problems of the current century will result from the continuation and sharpening of existing problems that currently do not receive enough attention by the decision makers. The degree and dynamics of urbanization and changing natural environment place an excessive concern on organizations and professionals responsible for the planning and management of urban regions and natural areas.
The aim of the Environmental and Regional Development Manager Post-graduate Specialist Diploma Course is to respond to the urban growth and environmental problems from the management and planning perspectives to contribute to the development of sustainable, inclusive and resilient settlements and regions. The core objective is to understand dynamics of regions and to develop effective interventions using various decision support systems and instruments in multi-stakeholder settings. The programme is aimed at the training of professionals who are competent to identify ongoing regional and environmental processes, to recognize correlations and to determine causations by their modern theoretical and methodological knowledge. They are capable of contributing to the development of regional and environmental policies and strategies and of developing alternative solutions to arising challenges at local and regional level.
The post-graduate specialist diploma course draws on and integrates theories and perspectives in established disciplines of economics, regional development, sustainable development, and management studies into a distinctive framework of problems, issues and questions concerning the natural and urban environment, in an EU context. Themes include project management, local governmental management and development, infrastructure and regional development in the EU, performance and environmental measurement and assessment, sustainable environmental and resource management, etc.
Graduates from the Environmental and Regional Development Manager Post-graduate Specialist Diploma Course will be able to perform at government organizations such as planning and municipal agencies, regional and inter-governmental organizations, regional non-governmental organizations and in the private sector such as urban development firms and consultancies.