The Master’s Program in Urban and Regional Planning (MPWK) at Universitas Sumatera Utara is a postgraduate program under the Faculty of Engineering (FT USU) that focuses on advancing knowledge, research, and professional practice in sustainable spatial planning. This program was established in response to the increasing complexity of regional and urban development dynamics, as well as the growing need for experts capable of formulating solutions grounded in scientific knowledge, innovation, and human-centered values. The program aims to produce professional planners and researchers who can integrate social, economic, environmental, technological, and governance dimensions in formulating policies and development strategies for inclusive, adaptive, and sustainable regions and cities.
The strength of MPWK USU lies in its contextual-local approach based on the characteristics of Sumatra and western Indonesia, with a focus on strategic issues such as urbanization, spatial inequality, coastal area development, and strengthening intermediate cities. This approach positions MPWK USU not only as an academic learning center but also as a laboratory of ideas and innovation for designing real solutions to development challenges in Indonesia. The MPWK USU curriculum is developed using an Outcome-Based Education (OBE) framework and refers to the standards of the Indonesian Association of Planning Schools (ASPI). Students are equipped with conceptual, methodological, and technical competencies through a combination of theoretical coursework, planning studios, applied research, and scientific publication, fostering transdisciplinary critical and analytical thinking. Supported by faculty members with strong professional qualifications and extensive experience in both academia and planning practice, MPWK USU is committed to producing graduates who embody the BINTANG character values (Faithfulness, Innovation, Resilience, and Integrity). Graduates of this program are expected to become agents of change in promoting equitable, resilient, and sustainable regional and urban development for Indonesia’s future.
History
Vision & Mission
To become a leading master’s program in Urban and Regional Planning with international recognition that contributes to sustainable spatial planning through the optimization of local and contextual potential.
- To establish an educational institution in Urban and Regional Planning that embodies local knowledge and upholds the BINTANG values (Faithfulness to God Almighty; Innovation with Integrity; Resilience and Wisdom).
- Menyelenggarakan pendidikan perencanaan wilayah dan kota yang adaptif terhadap standar dan isu global, serta berakar pada potensi lokal dan kontekstual
- To develop innovative and solution-oriented research in urban and regional planning with a focus on sustainable development that optimizes local and contextual potential.
- To implement community engagement activities that contribute to optimizing local and contextual potential and empowering communities responsive to sustainable development.
- To build international collaborations with academic institutions, government bodies, and industries to enhance graduates’ competencies at the global level.
- To develop an urban and regional planning program that applies sustainable planning principles while optimizing the local and contextual potential of North Sumatra.
Goals & Targets
- To become a research center in the fields of architecture and urban and regional planning in Sumatra and Indonesia in general.
- To produce scientific works and research in the fields of architecture and urban development management.
- To produce qualified graduates capable of advancing the disciplines of architecture and urban development management and applying them to development in Sumatra and Indonesia.
- To implement scientific works and research findings in architecture and urban development management as efforts to improve the quality of life of communities in Sumatra and Indonesia.
- To achieve independence that is adaptive, creative, and proactive in responding to societal needs and challenges in the fields of architecture and urban development management at both national and international levels.
- To enhance the quality of learning management in the Master's Program in Urban and Regional Planning at Universitas Sumatera Utara and strengthen sustainable national and international collaborations to achieve academic excellence and competitiveness.
Organization Structure
