SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Sustainable Urban Practice 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
118678  Master of Sustainable Urban Practice 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0333/25  2025-07-10  2028-07-10 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2029-07-10   2032-07-10  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
This qualification is aimed at developing urban professionals who have the necessary advanced knowledge and skills to respond to a very complex environment shaped by the particularities of urbanisation within the African context and the challenges which it presents. Some of the challenges which these professionals encounter and will have to respond to include the fragmented, sectoral, and technocratic approaches and responses which still characterise how governments at different levels respond to urbanisation. The urban professionals will therefore have to think creatively about how to design policies and formulate plans which will achieve integrated and sustainable development. They will need to be able to think carefully about how to balance a number of competing interests e.g. addressing and reducing social and spatial inequality whilst also ensuring that economic development processes are environmentally and socially sustainable.

The qualification is developed for learners who have completed an NQF level 8 qualification and are working or are interested in working as urban professionals and urban managers. It is therefore aimed at developing and training a kind of urban professional who possesses the necessary skills and knowledge to respond to this very complex environment shaped by the particularities of urbanisation within the African context and the unique challenges which it presents.

The localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a key imperative which urban professionals are tasked with, and they, therefore, need the necessary skills and training to think and work in an integrated, transdisciplinary manner. Therefore, the qualification intends to impart through a combination of theoretical and problem-based learning and applied research, to equip learners for the demand of employment in the broad sphere of urban management.

Upon the completion of this qualification, learners will be able to:
  • Apply sustainable development principles to urban development to benefit societies at large.
  • Develop an advanced capability to independently conduct fundamental urban issues related research.

    Rationale:
    Urbanisation in cities of the South is proceeding at an unprecedented rate. Africa is the fastest urbanising region in the world, with the urban population, predicted to reach 57% in 2050. This urbanisation is occurring within a context of deep structural challenges such as high levels of unemployment, particularly amongst Africa's overwhelmingly youthful population, low wages, informality, poverty, and inequality. This makes African urbanisation distinctive from urbanisation in other regions of the world in very particular ways:
  • The predominance of informality which stems from infrastructure deficits and low wages.
  • Fuels low levels of wellbeing Human Development Index (HDI).
  • Public investments in the built environment suffer from an elite/middle-class bias.
  • The vast infrastructure needs produce an indiscriminate acceptance of any investment, even if it worsens the "performance" of the built environment (Pieterse, 2017).

    The interaction of the above-mentioned factors results in dualism and splintered urbanism which is characterised by the privatisation of essential services which makes it unaffordable and inaccessible to the poor resulting in social and spatial inequality, manifesting in the growth of under-serviced informal settlements where a large proportion of urban dwellers reside. Pieterse (2014) argues that if this splintered urbanism is not addressed, African cities will face a 'polycrisis'; this means water scarcity, energy scarcity, pressure on the availability of food and the scarcity of land. We will also see the continued rise of unemployment, the degradation of ecosystem services and continued protests."

    The nature, scale, and pace of urbanisation in Africa require municipal governments and other urban management practitioners to be able to provide infrastructure and services to keep pace with the growth of urban populations. This is crucial to ensure the health and well-being of urban residents. Rapid urbanisation also exerts pressure on the environment and dwindling natural resources like land and water. This occurs within a context of constrained financial and human resource capacity as well as institutional and urban governance challenges.

    In terms of the unique dynamics that characterise African urbanisation it is useful to foreground four development imperatives to set Africa on a path of sustainable African Urbanism:
  • Environmental sustainability, which pivots us towards the green or sustainable economy.
  • Social inclusion through access to basic services such as energy, water, sanitation, waste removal, education, and health care to address the unacceptably high levels of multi-dimensional poverty that stunts the potential of Africa's youthful population.
  • Employment across the formal, informal, social sectors.
  • Institutional competence capable state, effective civil society organisations, and productive businesses.

    The need to balance a host of competing demands require a new breed of urban management professional; "it points to the need for a special kind of urban manager: a system integrator that is comfortable working across sectors and realms, including the formal and the informal (Pieterse, 2017). This new breed of urban managers and practitioners understand that "it is not just about sectoral reform but optimizing synergy" (ibid).
    The qualification provides a holistic and interdisciplinary approach required to respond to the different dimensions of urban sustainability. It is an innovative and interdisciplinary qualification that combines coursework and research aimed at providing an opportunity to town and regional planning learners and professionals operating in related fields such as Civil Engineers, Construction Managers, Quantity Surveyors, Architects, Building Scientists, and Real Estate and Valuation Specialists to advance their knowledge and careers. It will contribute immensely to national objectives, particularly the development of highly skilled and human resources that is scarce within the country, in areas such as urban planning, design, development, resources management, infrastructure planning, development and management, as well as local and national socio-economic growth, urban poverty, unemployment reduction and inequalities redress.

    As advanced theoretical and analytical concepts are essential requirements for the development of sustainable solutions and applications to complex urban problems, this qualification has been designed with a comprehensive course component and a research component. The modules will equip graduates with specialised theoretical foundations and critical thinking skills for an innovative application of knowledge. It is anticipated that this qualification will produce well-versed, academically robust, adept, and mature urban professionals with analytical and astute leadership capabilities, who would be expediently responsive to the needs of the industry and of modern society. This qualification is also recognised and endorsed by the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN). 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    This qualification may be achieved in part or whole through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal, informal, and non-formal learning and work experience. The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal and non-formal learning. RPL is applied in terms of the policy and criteria of the institution. The necessary documentary evidence will have to be provided and a formal RPL process will be followed.

    Applicants with an NQF level 7 three-year Bachelor's degree from a university or the older Bachelor of Technology degree from a university of technology need to demonstrate at least five years of relevant work experience post-qualification, as well as satisfactory academic performance deemed to be above 60% mean course mark for the entire qualification or in the final year of study to be considered. This work experience must be more than five years and must relate to urban development work, whether in the private, public or Non-Government Organisation sector.

    The institution will apply in this qualification the RPL for both access and credits in line with the National Policy and Criteria for the Implementation of RPL (Amended in March 2019).

    RPL for Access:
    Learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements of the required qualification may be considered for RPL. There are two options:
  • Advanced Standing, in which case the minimum entry requirements are waived by the admitting institution based on evidence of prior learning, work experience or any other relevant circumstances that may apply to an individual learner. No portfolio is required.
    OR
  • Applicants may provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that the applicant has acquired sufficient relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies to be able to reasonably meet the expectations for learning demanded by the qualification for which they are seeking access.
  • In instances where RPL is applied for access, no credits will be awarded for any previous learning. However, the candidate may choose the option of being assessed for credit.

    RPL for credits:
    Learners who do meet the necessary entry requirements for admission to a qualification may be awarded some or all the credits towards the qualification. There are two possibilities:
  • Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from a module or some modules by providing sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that a level of competency, equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module or modules, has been achieved. Credits will be awarded for such modules.
    OR
  • Learners may apply for RPL to be awarded all the credits required for the qualification. Sufficient evidence must be provided that demonstrates a level of competency equivalent to all the learning outcomes of the qualification.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Urban Studies, NQF level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Urban and Regional Planning, NQF level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning Honours, NQF level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Urban Development Studies Honours, NQF level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning, NQF level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning, NQF level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Construction in Urban Development, NQF level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 185 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 125 Credits:
  • Sustainable Urban Transitions, 20 Credits.
  • Sustainable Urban Infrastructure, 20 Credits.
  • Financing Sustainable Urban Infrastructure, 20 Credits.
  • Adaptive Urban Management and Co-production of Urban Systems, 20 Credits.
  • Research Project I, 25 Credits.
  • Research Project II, 20 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 9, 60 Credits (Select three modules from the following):
  • Digital Cities - Adaptive Smart Cities, 20 Credits.
  • Social Power and Spatial Justice, 20 Credits.
  • Climate Change and the City, 20 Credits.
  • Urban Health and the Built Environment, 20 Credits.
  • Creative Cities and Place Identities, 20 Credits.
  • Urban Food Systems Governance, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of urbanisation processes and their inherent challenges, particularly in the African context and the global South more broadly.
    2. Evaluate and apply specialist knowledge of urban theoretical frameworks to critically analyse and assess these from a global South perspective.
    3. Appropriately apply theory to real-life cases and complex problems to bridge theory and practice through carefully chosen cases studies for individual research projects.
    4. Integrate various disciplinary domains to respond to the different dimensions of urban challenges across sectors and realms.
    5. Demonstrate the ability to conduct interdisciplinary enquiry research appropriate to the urban context. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and engagement with theoretical and practical modules which comprise principles of sustainable urban development and urban policy approach and policy framework and design respectively.
  • Analyse and apply the empirical data to understand the different historical and spatial dimensions of urbanisation; existing levels of access to essential urban services, the backlogs in access and the gap that exists between the cost-of-service provision and the available revenue to finance these services.
  • Evaluate and apply the concepts developed to understand the nature and impacts of urbanisation in relation to the broader goals of sustainable development.
  • Respond to the diverse experiences and the implications and pressures of urbanisation.
  • Apply analytical and policy value of sustainable urbanism and the connection between colonial forms of urban planning and investment and the path-dependent dynamics of contemporary approaches to urban infrastructure provision.
  • Examine the analytical value of "hybrid infrastructure" and "sustainable infrastructure" for policy planning in cities of the global South.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Explore the potential effect of sustainability transitions regarding various infrastructure sectors and their alignment at the urban scale.
  • Analyse the three primary obstacles to achieving systemic urban transformation: path-dependency, institutional inertia, and social conflict and fragmentation.
  • Evaluate how "epistemic communities" and "policy networks" can be nurtured across the urban system to anchor and advance innovation in the direction of urban sustainability using case studies and deep reflection.
  • Examine the urban change and explore the implications for policy transfer and experimentation.
  • Analyse the personal implications for becoming active agents in advancing sustainable urbanism the trends in city finance in African cities.
  • Evaluate the implications and the limitations of the current financial models for financing local governments and urban infrastructure in African cities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Identify and mitigate risks and opportunities offered by urbanization in an African context and the role international agencies and networks play in shaping development trajectories of African cities.
  • Identify and critically assess urban risks and vulnerabilities through the selection, modification and application of suitable analytical methods and assessment tools, and propose approaches to climate changes adaptation, disaster risk reduction and resilience building at the urban scale.
  • Explore the relationship between urban form and emissions, the potential, and problems with urban "leapfrogging" and retrofitting, and interrogate and integrate principles of resilience, efficiency and effectiveness relating to mitigation planning and management.
  • Critically analyse and recommend the modes, capacities, and strategies of governing climate change at the city scale across the public, private and civil society sectors.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Demonstrate the ability to use a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems within a field, discipline or practice; and an understanding of the consequences of any solutions or insights generated within a specialised context.
  • Independently design and execute solutions to complex theoretical and practical problems.
  • Acquire strong skills and techniques in method and procedure development.
  • Demonstrate the appreciation for the tensions, trade-offs and opportunities linked to culture-based urban development.
  • Examine the urban health problems by studying examples of failed approaches and views for example the original focus on epidemiology (John Snow).
  • Evaluate the progress towards an intersectoral focus on urban health; for example, medical geographies vs geographies of health
  • Identify the range of tools for an urban health assessment and apply Urban Heart Tool and walking assessments.
  • Identify and explore continual and contemporary challenges related to the interaction between urban health and the built and/or natural environments.
  • Analyse the food system as a system and how the food system intersects with the wider urban system.
  • Explore the historical urban food and governance processes and the evolution to the current urban approaches to food systems governance.
  • Ability to conceptualise the urban food security and urban food system questions framed in global governance agendas.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Comprehend the potential of valuing arts, culture, and heritage in urban development.
  • Experiment with ways to leverage culture and creativity in place-making and examine the relationship between technology and society.
  • Evaluate and apply smart cities theory and how technology can creatively be used for e-governance; civic action; innovation; and the delivery of services.
  • Ability to engage with examples from African cities in the space of economic and spatial development and social innovation and explore propositional approaches to digital cities in Africa.
  • Analyse and apply key concepts, namely: justice, power, democracy, equality versus equity, spatial transformation.
  • Critically analyse values/assumptions that underlie practices aimed at addressing spatial injustice.
  • Identify the key actors and the various modes used by actors to engage injustice, for example,
    > Rights-based approaches versus advocacy
    > Civil disobedience
    > Social movements
  • Debate the complexities of access to land, affordable housing, employment, and socio-cultural opportunities.
  • Critically engage with the question of at what scale do we need to intervene to deal with spatial injustice.
  • Demonstrate appropriate research skills and understanding of research methodologies, particularly case study research which could be applied to their specific professional practice.
  • Engage academics and practitioners from various sectors in the production of knowledge and co-production methodology.
  • Demonstrate ethical and professional conduct which is greatly emphasised and impressed upon when conducting academic theoretical and practical work.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of ethical and professional conduct as urban professionals. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This Master of Sustainable Urban Practice is broadly comparable to the following international qualifications in terms of focus and target audience:

    Country: Netherlands
    Institution: Erasmus University
    Qualification Title: Master of Science (MSc) in Urban Management and Development and MSc on Climate-Resilient Cities.
    Credits: 120
    Duration: 18 months full time
    Purpose:
    This qualification is aimed at equipping those involved in the managing of cities with the necessary knowledge and skills to manage urban processes in a rapidly urbanising world. The qualification is open to young professionals with a few years of working experience in cities coming from different backgrounds who aspire to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge from diverse disciplines. This is a full-time qualification and draws on case studies and experiences from around the world. The South African qualification practice will also employ a case study approach, but with a much more Southern, particularly African focus. The Erasmus qualification also includes specialisation tracks.

    Cities have an enormous potential to learn, mobilize resources and respond adequately to dampen the impacts of catastrophic events. An actual example is how cities are responding to COVID-19 using 'real-time' experiences from their peer cities. The ability of cities to effectively engage in urban networks is playing a vital role here and is becoming increasingly more important as the dynamics of the drivers mentioned above are increasing. Peer learning involves individuals exchanging knowledge and experiences with one another. It also means transferring this learning back to their organizations to ensure an impact. Hence it is a collective learning process involving engagement through individual learning to organizational learning.

    Learners who successfully complete this qualification will be awarded a Master of Science in Water Science and Engineering with a specialization in Sustainable Urban Water Management.

    Entry requirements:
    Prospective learners with a wide variety of backgrounds, all related to the field of urban management and development. Each application is considered carefully, taking the individual potential of the applicant into account.

    Rationale:
    Globally, cities are increasingly under pressure as they must adapt to rapidly changing socio-economic and environmental conditions. Cities will become increasingly vulnerable to water-related hazards such as flooding, water shortages and water pollution. Therefore, cities must adapt to become more resilient to deal with emerging issues and associated uncertainties around drivers such as climate change, social inclusion, ageing infrastructure, financing, and pressures on cultural heritage.

    The Master of Science (MSc) on Climate-Resilient Cities is an international, interdisciplinary, immersive, and accredited program that aims at combining a strong theoretical background with practical skills, team building and leadership capacities to effectively engage with the variety of actors involved in urban transformation processes. Core elements of the program include academic courses, group work (design sessions), excursions, exams, and a written master thesis.

    The MSc on Climate-Resilient Cities targets young professionals with a few years of working experience in city governments who aspire to enrol in a life-long learning trajectory and who after graduation will continue to 'learn on the job' in their city to strengthen the in-city capacities to build resilience and lead change. Learners will acquire theoretical and practical knowledge from diverse disciplines (such as (urban) system analysis, planning, design, engineering, and governance) and develop key competencies in relevant sectors linked to water and climate adaptation actions in cities.

    Learning Outcomes:
    Upon graduation, learners will be able to:
  • Apply systems thinking and analysis to cities, with an emphasis on water.
  • Identify the links between the urban water cycle, urban management and governance, and urban design processes.
  • Work with a range of tools and methodologies to effectively co-discover, co-learn and co-design with both professionals and broader stakeholders, including non-specialists.
  • Achieve greater self-awareness of how to lead change in cities.

    Qualification structure:
    Core elements of the program include academic courses, group work (design sessions), excursions, exams, and a written master thesis. The approach is based on two pillars:
    Blend theory with research and design
    Apply systems thinking and analysis to cities, with an emphasis on water to identify the links between the urban water cycle, urban management and governance, and urban design processes.

    Gain stakeholder negotiation skills
    Work with a range of tools and methodologies to effectively co-develop and co-design strategies and technical solutions together with local stakeholders and communities through close interaction and knowledge exchange in response to relevant identified urban challenges.

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Introduction to Water Development
  • Hydrology and Hydraulics.
  • Introduction to Urban Systems, Planning and Management.
  • Urban Drainage and Sewage
  • Asset Management.
  • Urban Management.
  • Infrastructure and Environment.
  • Urban Water Systems.
  • Water Sensitive Cities.
  • Thesis Research.

    Elective Modules:
  • Water transport and distribution
  • Water quality assessment and monitoring
  • River basin modelling
  • Water and environmental policy analysis.

    Country: Germany
    Institution: Technische Universitat Berlin
    Qualification Title: Master of Science in Urban Management
    This programme is a full-time Masters programme, specifically focussed on city management and equipping learners to respond to and manage urban development challenges such as unsustainable environmental and land use practices and poor living conditions in cities. It is similar in that it is open to graduates from all disciplines and crosses traditional disciplinary and professional boundaries. It involves an internship.

    Country: United States of America
    Institution: George Washington University
    Qualification Title: Master of Professional Studies in Sustainable Urban Planning
    This is an interdisciplinary qualification that offers five (5) modules that focus on several aspects. They are:
  • Principles of Sustainable Urban Planning Electives.
  • Economics of Sustainable Communities.
  • Statistics and Research Methods.
  • Sustainable Transportation Systems.
  • Planning Resilient and Low-Carbon Cities.

    Themes covered include:
  • Sustainable urban development challenges.
  • Approaches to designing and conducting research.
  • Climate change.
  • Urban mitigation and adaptation responses.
  • Roles of public and private sectors in achieving sustainability.

    Comparison:
    This qualification compares favourably with international qualifications offered in the Netherlands, the United States of America and Germany. The scope of the qualification is similar in terms of the modules offered. They also include research studies as a core of the qualification.

    Conclusion:
    Best practices have been identified from leading institutions locally and abroad, ensuring that the curriculum and content are relevant and addresses the needs of both industry and prospective learners. The South African qualification is comparable to the above international qualifications in terms of content, purpose, rationale and learning outcomes. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Transport Studies, NQF Level 9
  • Master of City and Regional Planning, NQF Level 9
  • Master of Urban Design, NQF Level 9

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in City, Urban, Community and Regional Planning, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Science, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.