MUTS: Master’s in Urban Transport Systems

Planning 13

Program brief

The Master’s in Urban Transport Systems (MUTS) program offers comprehensive knowledge in planning, technology, design, operations, and management of urban transport. It blends theory with practical applications, equipping students with analytical and policy skills to address real-world transport challenges and develop the capacity to shape sustainable, efficient, and inclusive urban mobility systems.

Transportation significantly shapes urban form and quality of life. In India, major initiatives like Smart Cities, metro and bus investments, FAME, and GHG reduction commitments have driven diverse mobility projects, including electric mobility, multimodal integration, and TOD.

These developments have led to a re-assessment of the knowledge base and skill sets required to cater to the rapidly growing and constantly evolving urban transportation sector. Further, planning and management of urban transport is complex and requires professionals with integrated knowledge of transport systems, land use, energy, behaviour, and governance to plan sustainable, efficient and inclusive urban mobility solutions.

The MUTS program is one of its kind programs in India which is designed to provide holistic knowledge and develop analytical and practical skill sets required to study transport sub-systems, understand travel behaviour, and address urban mobility challenges. e builds competencies to comprehend the complexities of urban transport and to design sustainable, inclusive, and context-specific mobility solutions for Indian cities.

The program’s pedagogy is structured around a blend of studio-based learning, core lecture courses, and specialisation or cross-disciplinary electives. These are further strengthened through hands-on exercises, engagement with industry practitioners, and exposure to contemporary research. Students also undertake directed research projects that integrate theoretical knowledge with real-world problem-solving, preparing them to shape the future of urban transport planning and management in India.

Message from Program Chair

Nitika Bhakuni
Nitika Bhakuni Program Chair, Master’s in Urban Transport Systems
Faculty of Planning

Program Structure

Degree Title
Master of Planning (Urban Transport Systems)
Duration
Two Years | Four Semesters
Total Credits
80 across Two Years

Key Features

The program’s pedagogy is structured around a blend of studio-based learning, core lecture courses, and specialisation or cross-disciplinary electives. These are further strengthened through hands-on exercises, engagement with industry practitioners, and exposure to contemporary research. Students also undertake directed research projects that integrate theoretical knowledge with real-world problem-solving, preparing them to shape the future of urban transport planning and management in India.

Semester 1

Studio Name

Foundation Studio: Understanding the city | (14 credits)

Mandatory Course Name 1

Foundation Course 1: Urban Economics | (2 credits)

Mandatory Course Name 2

Foundation Course 2: Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis | (2 credits)

Semester 2

Studio Name

Strategic transportation plan for a city | (12 credits)

Mandatory Course Name 1

Transportation Planning | (2 credits)

Mandatory Course Name 2

Public Transport Planning, Operations & Management | (2 credits)

Mandatory Course Name 3

Foundation Course 3: History | (2 credits)

Semester 3

Studio Name

Transport Project Development & Appraisal | (12 credits)

Mandatory Course Name 1

Transport Finance & Economics | (2 credits)

Mandatory Course Name 2

Metro Rail Systems – Planning, Operations & Management | (2 credits)

Mandatory Course Name 3

Foundation Course 4: Governance | (2 credits)

Semester 4

Studio Name

Directed Research Project | (12 credits)

Mandatory Course Name 1

Transport Infrastructure Planning & Design | (2 credits)

Mandatory Course Name 2

Data Analytics in Transport | (2 credits)

Mandatory Course Name 3

Logistics & Supply Chain | (2 credits)

Transport Modeling, Street Design, Application of Spatial and Network Analysis in the Urban Sector

*The program structure and courses indicated above are based on previous years’ offerings and are subject to change.

Program Testimonials

G Pradyumna Kumar Student, Master’s in Urban Transport Systems

Program Ambassadors

Board of Review Members

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