Focusing on urban spaces becomes increasingly important for the efficiency of
humanitarian actions, but presents new challenges as humanitarian and
development traditions are usually focused on 'open spaces' and rural environments.
In urban conflicts, all lines are blurred and programming will need to take that into
account. Conflicts particularly have an impact on the way people produce,
understand and inhabit spaces and places. Rebuilding some social links and
establishing communities in locations will become one of the key elements in conflict
transformation and humanitarian programmes. Through action research methods,
issues related to urban settings and specificities of humanitarian projects can be
investigated.
The course runs from September to December each year. It is developed over 8
weeks for non-credit and 11 weeks for those taking the course for credits. This
includes 2 reading weeks, 6 interactive weeks and for those taking the course for
credits 3 weeks for finalising assessments. Most of the course is asynchronous
except for a one hour per week webinar. It is designed to be accessible for learners
working full time.

Course Description

       Course Content

TThe course has 6 key sessions:
 The urban social fabric and its relevance in a humanitarian crisis
 Understanding urban conflict and violence
 Conflict, shelter and home in the city
 Peacebuilding in the urban setting
 Forced migrants in the city
 Recovery in the city