Tell me about your journey before starting the master.
I did a bachelor’s in international area studies in Prague. I wanted something more practical for my master and, somehow, I came across urban planning as a field of work. I started searching for programs for Urban Studies, I also joined any volunteering opportunity or summer school focused on urban planning that I could find. In the end I got into the MUS program, I am very happy about how it turned out. Actually, I did not found many master’s programs related to urban studies where you can apply without an architectural background. I like that there is the premise of bringing people from different countries and with different study backgrounds together. Also, we were a small group, around 20-25 students when we started.
How did you experience the transdisciplinary aspect of the masters?
For me, I think it was great that we were from different countries and age groups. It was great that everyone had slightly different perspectives on the same societal issues. Although during my bachelors, I was already used to looking at challenges from multiple perspectives.
"Actually, I did not found many master’s programs related to urban studies where you can apply without an architectural background. I like [about MUS] that there is the premise of bringing people from different countries and with different study backgrounds together."
How is your work like at the moment?
I work for the Institute of planning and development in Prague. I worked there for two and a half years now, I would say my role is an expert consultant for the public participation office. That means involving the public and stakeholders in urban planning, I work mostly on big scale projects that influence the entire city. For example, big parks, a completely new neighborhood, or a revitalization of a big part of the city.
"I think this kind of work is really connected to what I do at my current job, we are always thinking about how the city works, how all the different parts are functioning together, and questioning how the inhabitants experience different neighbourhoods."
What does the master represent to you?
It was a really free time in my life. I love living in Brussels as a student. I think it is one of the best cities as a student. Back when I was living there, it was not that expensive to live compared to other larger cities. A had a beautiful room with a community of people. I found really good friends. I am still in touch with them. I did a really cool internship for Toestand, where I worked in Allee du kaai which is one of their temporary occupations. During my internship, I interviewed a lot of the people working there from the ones who created it, to some of the people who are running the workshops there and some of the participants. I think maybe that is one of the skills that I developed during the master: adapting your communication style to the person you are interviewing. Sometimes, having a set template of questions would not really work to really understand the experiences of the people.
Can you think of one key lesson that you would take away from the program?
One key lesson would be to work with very diverse people - being able to find a common ground for everyone.
"One key lesson would be to work with very diverse people - being able to find a common ground for everyone."
Can you name the main tasks that you work on?
If I would describe it in one word, I do project management. At the moment I work on a project that is located in the outskirts of Prague. We had a big participatory planning process for this area. I was managing the entire process, including the discussion with the public and local stakeholders in the area. Working on this project was a big part of my job, especially during spring and autumn - from February till June and from September till November, which are the busiest months for participatory planning. Otherwise, I do various research on topics such as new methods, strategies, grants, evaluation tools, etc. For example, right now we are deciding about using a new platform for participatory planning in Prague. It's called the Decidim. It is a free software, but it is working well. I have been researching how it works and what are its benefits and potential limitations. I also created a website that we use for participatory planning, within the website we publish case studies, and we also offer trainings for participatory planning. In my office, we are also looking to expand to academia and are currently preparing a study course in collaboration with Prague’s biggest university.
Could you relate your experience in the master to your current work?
Yes, so, I think the fact that we did project-based work during the master was a really good aspect. Especially in the module named urban criminology we always picked one area in the city where there was some kind of challenge to tackle. For example, we had night-time economy as a topic. I did a project that was about an area close to the city centre of Brussels, where there is high prostitution. During group work, we were developing solutions to make the area better. I think this kind of work is really connected to what I do at my current job, we are always thinking about how the city works, how all the different parts are functioning together, and questioning how the inhabitants experience different neighbourhoods. But, also, it has been quite a long time since I finished the master, so it is a bit difficult for me to distinguish the skills that I learned in the master and the skills that I picked up along the way.
Are you still in contact with students of MUS?
Yes, three, I would say, which were my closest friends. We see each other like once or twice a year when I come to Brussels. One of them is Belgian, the others are from Brazil.
Finally, could you describe Urban Studies?
I would say that urban studies is a mosaic of all the different parts that create the city, which is everything from the technical aspects such as transportation and the buildings to the soft parts such as cohesion of communities and all the sociological aspects. It is an academic field that is trying to be comprehensive of all of that. But it's not easy, as I would say that two years is quite a short time to actually go deep into it. That is almost impossible. You just have to pick what is the most interesting for you and then focus on that.
"I would say that urban studies is a mosaique of all the different parts that create the city, which is everything from the technical aspects such as transportation and the buildings to the soft parts such as cohesion of communities and all the sociological aspects. It is an academic field that is trying to be comprehensive of all of that."
This interview was conducted in February 2024.