Profiles
Manuel Kurmann
BSc Geospatial Engineering ETH
"In my Bachelor's degree in Geospatial Engineering I had already gained various insights into the topic of spatial planning. What inspires me about the Master's programme in Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems is that I can now take subjects to do with planning exclusively and choose from a wide range. This enables me to specialise in the direction I want to work in later. Many courses require you to work in groups to create a project. In doing so, you come into contact with fellow students from many different backgrounds and with a wide variety of disciplines. This is something I really like. You also learn to organise yourself along with different people in the group meetings. Since many of the courses offered are geared to school-class sizes, it is also easy to exchange ideas with the lecturers and assistants, regardless of whether you have questions about the material or want to discuss current topics from research or practice."
Sophie Hauller
BSc Geography UZH
"I'm fascinated by the interaction of people and the built environment. This main interest led me to study geography and to choose the Master's degree in Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems afterwards. Human geography and geoinformation sciences, in particular, provide an ideal foundation for the interdisciplinary projects in this Master's programme. And I can delve into my fascination for topics such as urbanisation processes, internal development and climate-friendly urban planning. What I particularly appreciate about the Master's programme in Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems is the wide range of subjects, the great supervision by lecturers, and the many group projects that enable inspiring discussions. The interdisciplinary project work deserves special emphasis here. It allows a group to pursue a spatial planning issue for an entire term in order to develop joint strategies and solutions."
Jonas Meli
BSc Civil Engineering ETH
"What I like about the Master's in Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems is on the one hand, the flexibility it offers me in terms of my specialisation and my electives and on the other hand, the interdisciplinary diversity of the students too. The fact that I chose the Master's degree in Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems after completing my Bachelor's degree in civil engineering is mainly due to the great freedom I have in choosing subjects. I can focus on what interests me most here, and concentrate fully on the topic of traffic. My tutor also helps me put together an effective and sensible schedule that will give me a good basis for my future career too. The various students bring in their unique patterns of thinking from their various Bachelor's degree programmes, and this emerges in the exciting discussions. As a result, we acquire different ways of thinking and experience various points of view in the Master's programme, which is very helpful, especially in the field of spatial planning."
Nina Dettwiler
BSc Architecture ETH
"Through the Master's degree in Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems, I was able to meet people from completely different fields. The group work interaction is very exciting and demonstrates multiple perspectives on current planning issues. There is a close relationship with the professors and other academic staff, and this provides an opportunity to deal with questions and our own project ideas and hold interesting discussions. The course offers a wide variety of exciting topics and projects – above all the interdisciplinary project work, where we had the opportunity to travel to Cologne and work out development strategies. In my Bachelor's degree in architecture, I discovered my interest in the overarching contexts that shape architecture and the built environment; this is why I appreciate the fact that this Master's programme allows me to focus on the interface between the built environment and politics, law, economics, and sociology. In addition, the Master's is practical, and I can use some of this in my part-time job in property and site development."
Benjamin Warren
BSc Environmental Sciences ETH
"What I like most about the Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems programme is meeting and working with people from different backgrounds. There are many courses that focus on group work and are highly practical. Students can benefit from one another in this way, and we can contribute our own strengths, which promotes team spirit and creativity. There is a huge range of subjects, and students can not only deepen their interests but also take broadly-based courses. I am particularly interested in the topics of sustainability in the built environment and biodiversity in urban spaces, and I was able to focus on some of this during my Bachelor's degree in environmental sciences. However, I did feel that the planning aspect and the engineering perspective were lacking there. It was possible to change to the Master's programme without any problems and I was able to catch up. I could well imagine working in a planning or environmental office or for a public authority in the future."
Ueli Isenschmid
BSc Geography UZH
"The path is not always the goal, but it is part of our everyday lives: from the grateful feeling of taking a short cut through cool alleyways to the overnight flight. The Master's in Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems allows me to make these pathways more enjoyable as an experience and to understand their function as lifelines in our landscapes, cities, and communities. My training as a geographer was an ideal introduction to this world of thinking and working: it gave me a sure eye for space, society and the environment, but also provided me with technical skills that have opened many doors for me. The free modular structure allows me to target how I build on my knowledge: I focus on the analysis, design and construction of transport systems and supporting them with urban design, social theory and spatial planning history. Only if you know where you are going will you be able to find the best path."