If you glance around the area you’re in right now, you will notice how much progress has been made. From residences to parks, infrastructure, and buildings, urban areas are carefully designed and constructed. It is not easy to develop a piece of land. Urban planners must think carefully about the environment, accessibility, transportation, and the needs of society. Here, we will look at the top countries to study urban planning.
Studying urban planning is for you if you want to be part of a field that aims to improve public welfare by putting the community’s needs first. Every urban planner approaches their tasks from a unique standpoint. Education and training can support you in advancing your career. Building your network is also valuable because communication skills are essential qualities for urban planners.
You can consider taking a program in urban planning in another country. Studying abroad can push you outside your comfort zone and provide more opportunities to learn about urban planning from different local, regional, and international perspectives.
In the article below, we list some of the best countries to study urban planning. Along with the countries are the reasons and some of the best universities for urban planning that you can consider. Make sure to read more!
Top Countries to Study Urban Planning Abroad
1. Belgium
Belgium is one of Europe’s most highly urbanized countries and, in recent World Bank-based comparisons, has the highest urban population share among European Union countries. This makes Belgium one of the best countries to study urban planning. The country continues to focus on sustainable, safe, and inclusive urban development, including policies that support employment, livability, and strong communities.
The Master of Urbanism, Landscape and Planning program at KU Leuven encourages students to develop innovative approaches to city planning through projects, plans, and policies across different scales. However, prospective students should check the latest intake information carefully, as KU Leuven states that it is not taking new students for this program in the 2026-2027 academic year because of a major program reform. KU Leuven lists the 2026-2027 tuition for Urbanism, Landscape and Planning at €9,493.90, while a limited fee waiver can reduce the fee to €5,613.12 per year for eligible students.
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel offers the MSc in Urban Studies together with the Université libre de Bruxelles. The program provides a European perspective on urbanization issues that are locally specific and globally connected. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the annual tuition fee is €1,194 for EU nationals and €5,369 for non-EU nationals, plus a €900 administrative and logistical fee.
2. Lebanon
Lebanon faces major urban planning challenges connected to population movement, economic pressure, infrastructure needs, and refugee settlement. As of July 2025, the Government of Lebanon estimated that around 1.3 million Syrian refugees were living in the country, including more than 716,000 registered with UNHCR. This context gives urban planning students a chance to study complex issues related to housing, infrastructure, equity, and public services. Universities such as the American University of Beirut and Beirut Arab University offer relevant urban planning and urban design programs in the country.
For example, the American University of Beirut offers master’s programs in Urban Planning and Policy and Urban Design. These programs introduce students to contemporary urbanization issues and possible solutions, including livability, sustainability, and equity. The programs are multidisciplinary and research-based, with a two-year full-time structure. For 2025-2026, AUB lists graduate tuition in the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at $1,232 per credit, so the total tuition depends on the number of credits taken in the MUPP or MUD program.
3. Ireland
Ireland’s planning system considers physical development as well as long-term growth and development strategies. In addition to design considerations, planners also consider a development’s impact on the community, environment, and economy. The opportunity to shape and influence future cities and regions makes Ireland a strong option for students interested in urban planning.
Ireland is one of the top countries to study urban planning because of institutions such as University College Dublin (UCD). UCD offers a Master of Regional and Urban Planning, a one-year professional planning degree. The program develops conceptual knowledge and practical skills needed in a complex planning environment. Students also study the administrative, legal, and policy frameworks in which spatial planning operates. Because tuition fees change by year and fee status, applicants should check UCD’s current fees page before applying.
4. Denmark
The Danish capital, Copenhagen, has been recognized as an exemplary model of urban planning and design. It received the European Green Capital 2014 award and is widely known for sustainable transportation and integrated urban planning. Being a student here can inspire you to raise your standards in urban planning.
The Nordic Urban Planning Studies program at Roskilde University focuses on creative methods for sustainable and livable urban planning. It is offered across three universities: Roskilde University in Denmark, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, and Malmö University in Sweden. Through these three universities, students develop an international and interdisciplinary approach to urban planning and development. For non-EU/EEA students, Roskilde University lists the tuition fee at €4,450 per semester, €8,900 per year, or €17,800 for the full 120 ECTS program.
5. Canada
The Canadian Institute of Planners highlights the role of planners in safeguarding the health and well-being of urban and rural communities. Planners address land, resources, facilities, and services while considering physical, economic, and social efficiency. You may benefit from Canada’s practical approach to urban planning in your potential career as an urban planner.
Fanshawe College‘s GIS and Urban Planning (Co-op) program can help if you are fascinated with urban planning. The program is an Ontario College Diploma that covers land use planning, land development, land conservation, and resource management in rural and urban communities. Students can access tools such as GIS, AutoCAD, 3D visualization, and presentation graphics applications. For 2025-2026, Fanshawe lists the approximate Canadian total program cost at CAD $9,302.40 for the London campus and CAD $8,758.36 for the online option. International students should check the program page for the latest international tuition summary.
Queen’s University also provides an accredited two-year Master of Urban and Regional Planning (M.PL.) program. The program helps students develop the knowledge and skills needed to become leaders in the planning field and address major planning challenges.
6. Japan
Japan offers valuable lessons in urban planning, including land use planning, infrastructure coordination, and approaches to sustainable and livable urban environments. Students can learn how planning, design, engineering, and public policy interact in dense and complex urban areas.
The University of Tokyo has a Department of Urban Engineering that includes urban planning and urban environmental engineering. Its programs are designed to train experts in the planning, design, and management of urban communities, with strong emphasis on studio and laboratory work. You can also study urban management at Kyoto University, where students learn about urban problems through core subjects and specialized subject groups such as Urban Society Planning, Lifeline Management, and Geo-Water Management.
7. United States of America
Urban planning in the United States developed as a formal field in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The first U.S. urban planning conference took place in 1898, Harvard introduced the first college course in city planning in 1909, and Harvard later established the first formal North American program in city and regional planning in 1923. These foundations helped shape the development of modern planning education in the United States. The United States remains a strong country to study urban planning because of its world-class institutions.
An advanced degree in city planning is available from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning offers the two-year professional Master in City Planning program, which requires coursework and a thesis. MIT’s standard graduate tuition for 2026-2027 is $33,360 per term. The University of Arizona also has a Master of Science in Urban Planning. Its 2025-2026 listed cost per semester is $9,151 for in-state students and $19,067 for out-of-state or international students, including tuition, program fees, and university fees.
FAQs: Studying Urban Planning Abroad
Where Can You Study Urban Planning Abroad?
There are many universities around the world that offer programs and degrees in urban planning. If you want to study in Europe, Ireland, Belgium, and Denmark are strong options because they offer relevant programs and expose students to different planning systems, urban policy frameworks, and sustainable city practices.
On the other hand, if you are considering studying in Asia, Japan is a good option. Since Japan has a strong background in urban planning, infrastructure, and urban engineering education, you can gain a comprehensive education. You can also consider Canada and the United States if you are looking for well-established universities and professional planning programs.
We hope this article on the best countries to study urban planning was informative and insightful. To know more information on studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students.
