Sustainable Postgraduate Degrees for Environmental and Construction Professionals

Africa stands at a defining moment. The continent is urbanizing unprecedentedly, with cities expanding rapidly in response to population growth, migration, and economic change. By 2050, it’s estimated that over 60% of Africans will be living in urban areas.

But urban growth across Africa is too often unplanned and under-resourced. Many cities are already struggling to provide adequate housing, infrastructure, clean water, waste management, and climate-resilient development. This creates a growing gap—not just in infrastructure but also in skilled professionals equipped to address these complex, interlinked challenges.

The Need for a New Kind of Professional

The challenges we face—climate change, housing shortages, infrastructure deficits, and informal settlement growth—require a new generation of professionals with a deep understanding of sustainability in Africa.

These professionals are needed across sectors:

• Urban planners who can design inclusive and resilient cities
• Construction professionals who can deliver climate-smart infrastructure
• Housing managers who can address affordability without compromising quality
• Policy thinkers who can shape long-term strategies that serve all citizens

There is no shortage of talent in Africa—but there is a critical need to strengthen and deepen specialized knowledge, especially in the areas of sustainable urbanization, housing, and environmental management.

A Response Through Education

At Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development, we’ve developed postgraduate programmes in response to this urgent need. They are designed to educate and empower professionals already working in or transitioning into the built environment and sustainability space. Each programme focuses on Africa’s realities—its cities, its communities, and its future.

Programmes Offered:

🔹 MSc in Sustainable Urbanization
Focuses on designing and managing environmentally sound, socially inclusive, and economically viable cities.

🔹 Master of Housing Development and Management
Prepares professionals to deliver affordable, sustainable, and well-managed housing in formal and informal contexts.

🔹 Mphil/PhD in Sustainable Urbanization
A research-focused programme for those seeking to influence policy, deepen expertise, or move into academic or development-sector leadership.

Looking Ahead

If African cities are to thrive—not just grow—we need engineers who understand climate risk, architects who design for social inclusion, housing specialists who work with communities, and urban managers who see beyond the next budget cycle.

The future of Africa’s cities depends not only on innovation and investment but on the people who plan, build, and manage them. Strengthening this professional base is one of our most strategic investments.

These postgraduate pathways are part of that broader response. They exist to serve a real and growing need—to prepare professionals who can lead Africa’s urban and environmental transformation from the ground up.

We are currently accepting applications for our next intake. If you’re a professional ready to contribute to Africa’s sustainable future, you can apply to the School of Post-Graduate Studies. If you want to learn more about the programmes and the requirements, visit our website.