Housing and urban issues have come to the forefront of social, economic and environmental debates in recent years as metropolitan modes of living have become even more widespread and globally pervasive.
In this three-week programme students will explore the fundamental issues that are shaping the development and evolution of cities in the 21st century. With a focus on real urban places, set in both contemporary and historical contexts, the course will examine subjects such as architecture and neighborhood design, housing finance and policy, city planning and sustainability, and the impact of household and demographic change on urban lives and spaces.
Programme information
Urban Studies: Planning and Living in Cities
In this program students will explore housing, planning and policy issues in European cities as well as consider how these apply in other regions of the world. With a focus on real urban contexts, the course will examine subjects such as architecture and neighbourhood design, housing finance and policy, urban planning and sustainability, and the impact of household and demographic change. Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most vibrant and attractive cities, providing a fascinating laboratory for the exploration and examination of urban issues.
Including lectures on the following topics:
-
Dutch architecture and urban design
- City spaces and urban places
- Homes, housing and household issues
- Neighbourhoods
- Housing and Finance
- City living and social segregation
- Non Profit Housing Associations
- Housing/urban planning/Issues in other countries
- Urban development and redevelopment in a European context
Study Load
The academic dates for the programme are 3 July - 22 July, beginning with a mandatory Orientation on Sunday 3 July. The programme schedule from Monday to Thursday includes:
morning lecture (2.5 hours)
lunch break (1 hour; provided by the University)
afternoon workshop (2.5 hours; includes site visits, museums, and walking tours).
On Fridays, participants will go on excursions (participation included in tuition fee).
Excursions
Included in the tuition price are thematic excursions that illustrate the Dutch perspectives toward urban growth. In the second weekend of the programme, students will go on an overnight excursion to Belgium. During the week, students will also enjoy 1.5 - 2 hour walking tours around Amsterdam. Site visits include:
- Visit to Housing Museum (Het Schip)
- Oosterdock and Java Island
- Belgium
- Noord Holland & Flevoland tour
Credits
As a Summer Institute student you receive a participation certificate and a transcript with an official seal from the Universiteit van Amsterdam.
Students who wish to earn credits receive an official transcript stating the courses taken, credits earned and grades obtained. The programme is the equivalent of a 6 European Credits (or 3 American credits) module. Students are responsible for ensuring that their home university will accept the credits and final credit conversions need to be made by the home university.
Tuition, Costs & Scholarships
Urban Studies: Planning and Living in Cities
Tuition
| Length of the programme: | 3 weeks |
| Tuition fee: | € 1675 |
Tuition fee includes:
- Trip to Belgium, including cost of overnight hotel stay
- All excursions (transportation, entrance fees, etc.)
- Access to all course materials on blackboard
- public transportation card
- All site visits
- Lunch on class days
- Welcome drinks and Farewell lunch
- Transcript from the UvA
The tuition fee does not include travel to and from Amsterdam nor housing.
Housing
As in many major European cities and combined with growing tourism during the summer months, there is a shortage of affordable housing in Amsterdam.
Participants can either arrange their housing through providers in the private sector such as Airbnb and Booking.com, or participants can request accommodation through the Summer Programmes Office and our housing partners. For those that would like our assistance in booking accommodation, the Summer Programmes Office reserves two types of furnished short-stay accommodation. The first type is basic dorm-style student housing, provided by the housing corporation, De Key. The second type is a hotel room at The Student Hotel (The Student Hotel functions as a both a hotel for tourists and visitors, and a short-stay accommodation for students, young professionals, and interns).
In the online application for the programme, you can choose the type of accommodation that best suits you. There is a limited number of rooms, so it is first come, first serve. If you have a strong preference on room type, you should apply early. We recommend the Student Hotel for graduate students and those over the age of 30.
For more detailed information on the two types of accommodation offered by the Summer Programmes Office, please see the table and PDFs below.
| Housing dates: | 1 July - 24 July 2016 | |
| Location: | Basic Student Housing | The Student Hotel |
| Housing fee: | € 525 | € 855 |
Cancellation Policy
Students may cancel their participation in a summer programme for a full refund, minus €250 administration fee (and potential housing costs), if the Summer Programmes Office staff is notified in writing (email is also valid) at least 30 days before the start of the programme (orientation/opening date). No refunds will be given after this date. If students know there is a chance they may have to cancel, we encourage them to contact us as soon as possible so that non-refundable items are not booked for them.
In the event that a programme must be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances or an insufficient number of students, students who have paid tuition and housing fees will be reimbursed in full. If applicable, students will be offered a spot in another programme, if a similar programme is available.
Scholarships
U21/LERU Partial Scholarship
If your university is a member of the Universitas 21 network and/orLERU network then you may be eligible for a partial scholarship of €500. You must also be a current student at that university when you apply for the summer programme. If you graduate before the start of the summer programme but were a student at the time of submitting your application, you will still be eligible for the scholarship.
Students studying at Dutch universities on these lists are not eligible for these scholarships.
You must verify that your home university is a member of the LERU network and/or the U21 network. The Summer Programmes Office GSSS will then be able to submit your application to the U21/LERU scholarship fund. The final decision on granting these scholarships is made by the UvA following acceptance of the candidates into the summer programmes. The €500 scholarship will be deducted from your tuition.
- Step 1: Check your eligibility by making sure that your home university is in the LERU or U21 network.
- Step 2: Apply to the programme and indicate that you are applying for a LEUR or U21 scholarship.
- Step 3: Upon acceptance you will hear if you have received the partial scholarship.
AUF/AUV Travel Grant Scholarship
The Amsterdam University Fund is offering three € 400 partial scholarships for students in the Graduate School of Social Sciences Summer Programmes. The scholarship will help to cover the expenses for travel to and from the Netherlands. The conditions for eligibility for the scholarship are as follows:
- You are applying to a summer programme
- You are not living in the Netherlands
Priority will be given to UvA Alumni. The grant cannot be used in conjuncture with other scholarships (i.e. LERU/U21/GEP).
If you meet the above conditions and would like to be considered for the scholarship, please write “AUF/AUV” in “scholarship” field on the online application, and write a one-page letter which states why you need the travel grant in order to participate in the summer programme.
The Amsterdam University Fund (Stichting Amsterdams Universiteitsfonds) is a joint initiative of the University of Amsterdam Alumni Association (AUV) and the University of Amsterdam (UvA). In order to apply for the travel grant, you must have a complete application on file with the Summer Programmes Office.
Further Funding
Below you will find links to scholarship databases and other known places to look for funding. There is also information for American and Canadian students who are interested in applying for a loan.
Application & Admission Criteria
Urban Studies: Planning and Living in Cities
Deadline for application
Due to the popularity of this summer programme in 2015, the deadline for application submission for the 2016 programme is March 1, 2016. After March 1, the Admissions Committee will assess all of the applications and choose the best 26 applicants from the pool of applications. All students will be informed of their admission or rejection no later than March 15, 2016.
Student profile
Applicants for this summer course must be at least undergraduate (Bachelor) students entering their 3rd or 4th year. A minimum of a 2.75 GPA is required.
Students from any major are welcome to apply but at least one class in the social sciences is required. A general interest in the social sciences and an open mind are necessary.
Graduate students and professionals are also encouraged to apply.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://gsss.uva.nl/summer-winter/summer/summer-programmes/summer-programmes/content/folder/urban-studies-planning-and-living-in-cities/urban-studies-planning-and-living-in-cities.html