Master of Urban Resilience and Renewal
MURR
Overview
In the 21st century, cities and urban areas are facing increasing challenges associated with flood risk, coastal erosion, and sea level rises. In many growing areas these are coupled with challenges of demographic growth and urban spread.
While there are many university postgraduate degrees that focus on local planning legislation, there are no other identifiable programmes that focus specifically on how communities respond to challenges that cities are facing today. This programme will be of interest to students wishing to address broader urban issues and engage with communities.
The Master of Urban Resilience and Renewal (MURR) will focus on:
- the urban renewal of Ōtautahi Christchurch, a city that faces many of these issues as it recovers from the 2010/11 earthquakes
- how communities respond to challenges that cities are facing today
- community engagement with students working with community groups and local government, within compulsory courses and through their chosen research project.
To enrol in the Master of Urban Resilience and Renewal, you will need to have an approved university degree which is relevant to urban resilience and renewal (eg, Geography, Environmental Science, planning, Sociology, or other approved subjects).
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Master of Urban Renewal and Resilience or use the admission requirements checker.
How to apply
You can apply online at myUC. Find out more about how to apply for graduate and postgraduate qualifications.
The programme comprises 180 points made up of six courses (at 30 points each).
The 180-point programme is taught over two 12-week semesters, plus a project. You can study on a full-time or part-time basis. This Master's usually takes 1 year to complete (up to 3 years part-time).
All students in the MURR take these courses:
The compulsory project GEOG697 Community Based Thesis includes an individual project in the field of Urban Resilience and Renewal, under the supervision of one or more staff members. The project will involve working with a community partner on a project of direct relevance and real value to that community.
Another 30 points of courses are chosen from 400-level courses approved by the Programme Director which have more specific interests, for example:
The MURR is part of a suite of postgraduate qualifications at UC that deal with the interactions between physical environments and human responses, with a focus on resilience and environment-society dynamics – see also the Master of Disaster Risk and Resilience.
There are multiple related subject areas available for further study as part of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (eg, Disaster Risk and Resilience, Environmental Science, Geography, Water Resource Management).
The Master of Urban Resilience and Renewal provides the skills, knowledge, and competencies to be employed professionally in any organisation involved in urban resilience and renewal. It will enable graduates to seek out careers in areas such as environmental management, disaster risk reduction, hazard management, environmental consulting, as well as local and regional government.
The project component gives you with the opportunity to work for a community/organisational partner on a research problem you have helped identify. By partnering with local organisations, graduates will have experience in how to influence, shape, and make a significant difference to the communities they live in.
Useful information:
- Read what other UC postgraduate students have gone on to achieve in their studies and careers in our student and graduate profiles.
- Te Rōpū Rapuara | UC Careers can help you to achieve the career you want, connect with employers, or find a job.
- For research into career destinations by qualification, visit Te Pōkai Tara | Universities New Zealand website.
- Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
- Come along to an upcoming information event for prospective postgraduate students.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
2024 | 180 | Fee estimate. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $13,308 |
2023 | 180 | Fee estimate. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $12,953 |
Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
2024 | 180 | Special (Set) Programme Fee | $63,300 |
2023 | 180 | Special (Set) Programme Fee | $61,500 |
Contact us
For full requirements, see the Regulations for the Master of Urban Renewal and Resilience.
For study planning help, contact Te Kura Aronukurangi | School of Earth and Environment.
Te Kaupeka Pūtaiao | Faculty of Science
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
Phone +64 3 369 4141
Email science@canterbury.ac.nz