Hebrew University on Mount Scopus
Hebrew University on Mount ScopusHadas Parush/Flash 90

With urban areas growing dominant globally, cities are increasingly being challenged to develop the urban environment in ways that both embrace technology but also preserve and enhance urban quality of life. This motivation has popularized the idea of designing ‘smart cities’ equipped to confront the challenges and opportunities of the ever-growing city.

As such, the Department of Geography in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in cooperation with the Rothberg International School have introduced Israel’s first Master’s Program in Smart Cities and Urban Informatics. The objective of the program is to educate a new generation of urban planners, administrators and decision-makers and equip them with the ability to integrate policy and technology for the welfare of urban communities. The degree will offer courses relating to the practice of urban development, hands-on technical skills and field courses all geared towards confronting the complexities of smart urban growth .

The two-semester program is administered by the Rothberg International School and taught in English alongside students from all over the world. Students will be challenged to address real work problems and present technological and implementable solutions. Courses will focus on issues like urban transportation, climate change and its impact on cities and smart infrastructure design amongst other relevant topics.

Professor Daniel Felsenstein, Director of the Program said, “This is a program that leverages the capabilities of our University in ways that will allow students to obtain an appreciation of their potential for contributing to our cities, both now and in the future. The program will help them obtain the practical tools to make a real change in this all-important and constantly expanding field.”