What were you doing before joining the master?
I studied urban planning in Germany, where the program was strongly oriented toward practical professional work. We learned technical skills, software, and building regulations that were very specific to the German context. While this gave me a solid foundation, I wanted to broaden my perspective. I had initially applied to the 4Cities program, but it was cancelled due to the pandemic. As an alternative, I was offered the chance to join the Master in Urban Studies, and I’m very glad I took it. It took some time to settle into life in Brussels, but studying for two years in the same city helped me build meaningful connections. Before starting the master’s, I also completed an internship at a German federal organization focused on international cooperation, where I worked on topics related to urbanism and development.
What interested you the most about the Master in Urban Studies?
I wanted to widen my perspective and engage more theoretically with the study of cities. I really enjoyed studying in Brussels. Compared to Germany, the relationship with professors felt closer and more personal, which made a big difference. What fascinated me most was the economic perspective on urban development, particularly topics such as financialization and investments in urban infrastructure.
Is there a class or a topic that stood out particularly to you?
I especially enjoyed the StadsSalonsUrbains series. I liked the open format that welcomed the public—anyone could attend, and the talks were always very engaging. I also appreciated the lectures by David Bassens, which introduced an economic perspective on urban development, as well as the more theoretically oriented courses in the program.
Skill-based courses were less interesting for me because I had already completed many of them during my bachelor’s degree. My previous assignments were always project-based—designing city maps, working with urban planning methods, and approaching problems from a design perspective. What I truly valued in the master’s was the opportunity to work with classmates from very different backgrounds—not only architecture, planning, and engineering, but also sociology and other fields. Writing so many papers was something new for me, but it turned out to be a very useful skill. I learned how to dive deeply into a topic in a short period of time and to write a well-structured academic paper.
"What I truly valued in the master’s was the opportunity to work with classmates from very different backgrounds—not only architecture, planning, and engineering, but also sociology and other fields."
How was living in Brussels as an urban studies student?
Brussels is an incredibly dynamic city. Its ongoing development—sometimes positive, sometimes more challenging—makes it a fascinating place to study urban issues. In highly planned cities, it can be difficult to observe urban change, but in Brussels this complexity is much more visible, which makes it a compelling study environment.
One major benefit of studying urbanism in Brussels is that you get to know the city very well. I still love Brussels, and I enjoyed discovering the city from a professional perspective. We also did a tour focused on EU lobbying, though I believe the program could have incorporated more connections to the European Union. Understanding EU regulations related to urbanism would have been especially relevant. I now work with these topics frequently in my professional life. Interestingly, when people hear that you studied in Brussels, they often assume you have extensive knowledge of EU policy—although that’s not necessarily the case.
Are you still in contact with your cohort?
Personal connections were extremely important to me. Many of my friends today are still from my cohort. We were a very close group, and it’s great to still know people in Brussels who are working in urban-related fields.
How did the master shape your professional career?
A lot of factors influence where you end up professionally, so it’s difficult to say exactly how much the master’s or bachelor’s contributed. Still, I do see a clear thread: I studied urban planning first, then urban studies, and I consistently worked in internships and student jobs connected to this field. It was fairly obvious that I would pursue urban-related work. What’s more surprising is that I now work in the energy sector, which grew out of the internship I completed.
Energy topics were not a major focus of the master’s program, yet from today’s perspective they are central to urban transitions. The question of how cities can reduce their dependence on fossil fuels—especially for heating buildings—has become one of the key challenges for urban development.
How did you get interested in energy?
I became interested in energy through an internship at Architecture Workroom Brussels, where I worked on an EU project focused on positive energy districts. It combined urban planning and energy topics, and this connection shaped my interest. I later wrote my master’s thesis on energy communities, which anchored me even more in the field. My first job continued along this path — I worked for an energy agency in Vienna, where we supported the city in decarbonizing its housing stock.
What are you doing now?
I’m now based in Berlin and work for the German Energy Agency. Our team advises several ministries on topics related to energy policy. We prepare reports on district heating, develop strategies, and consult with ministries on how to design and implement renewables in urban energy infrastructure. The work includes both technical and political components, such as how new laws can be put into practice. In a way, my work still connects back to urbanism, because our team develops district-level solutions. I think my background in urban planning is part of why I’m in this role.
Some colleagues work more directly in the field, while my job is quite far away from hands-on work. I sometimes miss that. Working with ministries and on a policy level can feel very detached from everyday life. But I also enjoy becoming increasingly specialized in specific energy topics. It’s satisfying to develop deep expertise in a particular field.
Are there any skills you developed through the master that you are now using in your job?
The technical knowledge about heating systems mostly came from learning by doing. In my previous position, I spent a lot of time on construction sites where decarbonized heating systems were being installed, and that’s where I learned how these systems function in practice. Understanding the technology is essential, because it allows you to translate complex processes into strategic recommendations. The work is highly interdisciplinary, and that’s where the master’s program helped: people come from very different “languages”— whether economics, engineering, or other backgrounds — and you need to develop a shared language. Ultimately, that language is urbanism.
I also encountered this need for common ground in my first job. I worked with politicians, but also with representatives of large housing providers or workers on the construction side. You need to understand their interests and find ways to bring them together to develop strategies that align with the city’s climate goals. I think the master’s program really supports this ability to bridge perspectives.
"People come from very different “languages”— whether economics, engineering, or other backgrounds — and you need to develop a shared language. Ultimately, that language is urbanism."
Is there anything you would recommend to someone who’s just now starting the master?
It’s important to think early on how you want to use your skills and network after finishing the program. Especially if you have many interests, it can be challenging to identify one topic you want to dive deeper into—something you can build a profile around and apply for jobs with. Many people struggle with this. I was fortunate to find a job right after graduating, but relocating to Vienna was still a big decision. Now living in Berlin, I really have to say: Constantly moving cities can also be exhausting!
It also helps a lot to have side projects alongside your studies, especially since the master’s project is quite broad and allows you to explore different aspects of urbanism. Having a clear interest or focus can be really valuable. During my bachelor’s in Hamburg, I co-founded a collective focused on urban social design. In Brussels, I always wanted to stay involved in similar “activist” activities, but I wasn’t as engaged as I would have liked. Whether it’s housing, mobility, or another urban topic, combining your studies with “real” projects can be incredibly enriching.
How would you describe urban studies?
Oh, it’s hard. You feel like flying in a satellite over Brussels, and sometimes you dive deep into certain areas. I always imagined having a map of Brussels in front of me, trying to understand how the different parts of the city fit together and how they relate to ongoing developments. But defining urban studies is challenging because it means something different for everyone. There are countless aspects you can explore—mobility, culture, housing, governance, and so much more.
"You feel like flying in a satellite over Brussels, and sometimes you dive deep into certain areas. I always imagined having a map of Brussels in front of me, trying to understand how the different parts of the city fit together and how they relate to ongoing developments."
This interview was conducted in May 2025.