Department of Urban System Science

Department of Urban Science and Policy

Department of Urban Science and Policy
Graduate School of Urban Environmental Sciences
Tokyo Metropolitan University

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In April, 2018,
The former Department of Urban System Science has been reorganized into the new one named the Department of Urban Science and Policy.

History

The predecessor of the Department of Urban Science and Policy was the Urban Research Group founded as an interdisciplinary group for joint urban research at Tokyo Metropolitan University in early 1960’s. The Urban Research Center was established in 1977, and, in 1994, the Graduate School of Urban Science was founded as the first graduate school for interdisciplinary research on urban science in Japan.
In 2006, the graduate school was reorganized into the Department of Urban System Science of the Graduate School of Urban Environmental Sciences, and in 2018, having been combined with the Urban Policy Course, it has turned to the current form.
The achievements of research and education over its almost half-century history have been published in the Urban Research Library and Urban Science Library. On the whole, this department is an authentic successor and front runner of comprehensive urban research in Japan.

Students Capacity

Master’s Program: 15 students
Doctoral Program: 5 students

Entrance Examinations

The entrance examination of master course and doctoral course is scheduled in summer (August) and in winter (February).

Entrance Examination Information, Graduate School of Urban Environmental Sciences

Characteristics of the Curriculum

The department provides a multidisciplinary curriculum that teaches the techniques needed to analyze urban phenomena and helps students develop a multi-faced understanding of the types of public policy that can be applied in each policy area. Furthermore, the department incorporates practical learning activities involving collaborative research with organizations such as public agencies that decide and implement urban policy, private-sector firms, nonprofit organizations, and local community organizations.
The diverse needs of graduate students, ranging from learning practical knowledge and skills to conducting research studies, are met in the complete Master’s Program by the students submitting research papers for typical policy issues instead of a Master’s thesis.
Students come to the graduate school with a broad range of specialties and experience from universities around the nation and around the globe. The Department of Urban Science and Policy provides this diverse student population lectures and practical experience in a number of academic areas. The majority of classes are small-group lectures of from three to ten students. The department has a multidisciplinary research support system that features Urban Science and Policy Seminars, a unique program in which all teachers participate to provide periodical instructions to students enrolled in the master’s and doctoral programs. Students are able to acquire degrees in Urban Science or Urban Policy Science, which is the specialty of this department, and are also able to select Engineering or Science depending on their individual specialty.

Lectures & Seminars in Master’s Program

Urban Analysis / Advanced GIS Seminar / Participatory Design Studio /
Workshop Design Studio / Study of Hazards in Society /
Cartography of Natural Environment and Tourism /
Urban and Environmental Economics / Urban Environmental Planning /
Urban Policy and Legal Affairs / Local Environmental Administrative Law /
Law and Economics / Behavioral Law and Economics /
Public Finance / Municipal Government and Administration /
Introduction to Urban Sociology / Urban Community / Civil Society Study /
Theory, Research, and Practice in Urban Health and Well-being / Other

Master’s and PhD Thesis Subjects:
recent graduates from the former departments

Relationship between the impression of streetscapes and the distribution of the sky factor: Proposal for a sky factor calculation system
Study on the spatial allocation of evacuation sites for two-step evacuation
Role of the temporary mall in the commercial revival after the East Japan Great Earthquake Disaster: A case of three cities on the south coast of Iwate prefecture
Changes in social environment and the local role of the ex-family housing of the US forces in Fussa and Mizuho, Tokyo
Study on factors and measures for realizing smart cities focusing on smart houses and electric vehicles
Study on creating a home palliative care system for end-of-life cancer patients living alone
Study on the narrow street arrangement measures aiming at the improvement in disaster prevention performance of built-up areas in Tokyo wards
An empirical study on rebuilding local landscapes and self-government in a municipality

Paths after Graduation:
recent examples from the former departments

Faculty members (Tokyo Metropolitan University, The University of Tokyo, Fukushima University, Japan Women’s University); national government officials (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism); local government officials (Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Shibuya City Office, Shinjuku City Office); Urban Renaissance Agency; Mori Trust; Taisei Corporation; Keio Corporation; Tokyu Corporation; Nihon Sekkei; Pacific Consultants; Ichiura Housing & Planning Associates; Daiwa House Industry; Aeon Mall; Recruit Jobs; other


Faculty

Annual Report

Tokyo Study Tour


Inquiries about entrance examinations:
Dept. of Academic Affairs, Graduate School of Urban Environmental Sciences,
Tokyo Metropolitan University (Minai-Osawa Campus Building No.9, 2F)
TEL: +81-42-677-1111 (Main) (Ext. 4021)
E-mail: ueswww*tmu.ac.jp (replace * with @)
Open: Monday-Friday 9:00-12:30/13:30-17:00

Other inquiries:
Office of the Department of Urban Science and Policy
(Minami-Osawa Campus Building No.9, 5F)
TEL: +81-42-677-1111 (Ext. 4271) E-mail: usswww*tmu.ac.jp (replace * with @)