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Urban Studies in Morocco: Cities in Transition

Minor

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.

Urban Studies in Morocco: Cities in Transformation is an interdisciplinary joint LDE minor that explores how Moroccan cities are reshaped by infrastructure development, governance reforms, demographic growth, environmental challenges, and global positioning strategies. Using Morocco as a case study, the programme connects urban heritage, renewal, and future-oriented planning through lectures, excursions, and applied research.

Students work in interdisciplinary teams and engage directly with real urban contexts in Rabat–Salé and beyond. The minor combines theoretical reflection with field-based and challenge-oriented learning, encouraging students to bridge policy frameworks and lived urban realities. It offers both a 15 EC track (Part A) and a 30 EC track (Part A + Part B).

Maximum number of students: 35

Prospectus number: tba

Language: English

Registration: via EduXchange see More Info

19 May (13:00hrs) until 30 June 2026

Minor

Vak EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Unit A

Unit A provides the conceptual, experiential, and methodological foundations of the minor. Through lectures, excursions, and intensive workshops, students gain a broad and comparative understanding of Morocco’s urban transformations in a wider regional context and the analytical tools to study them. The three courses introduce the key historical, spatial, and social dimensions of Moroccan cities, combining theoretical learning with direct observation in the field.
By completing this unit, students will:
1. Acquire a solid conceptual grounding in urban studies and the capacity to interpret Moroccan cities within regional and global contexts
2. Develop observational and analytical skills through first-hand exploration of urban sites and infrastructures, structured by comparison between different sites
3. Become familiar with interdisciplinary research methods, integrating qualitative, and quantitative approaches
4. Learn to connect historical depth, environmental systems, and social practices in the reading of urban space
5. Cultivate critical and reflexive awareness of their role as researchers engaging with local communities and institutions, and the central administration.
Moroccan Cities in Transformation 5
Exploring and Experiencing Urban Morocco. Excursions to Fieldsites 5
Tools for Analysing Cities. Methods in Urban Studies 5

Unit B

Unit B builds directly on the analytical and methodological competences acquired in Unit A and focuses on designing and implementing applied urban research. Through the courses Research design and Field project, students move from research formulation to field execution, applying their knowledge to real-world challenges in the Rabat–Salé agglomeration.
This unit enables students to:
1. Translate theory into practice by designing feasible and context-sensitive research projects
2. Collaborate in international, interdisciplinary teams that integrate technical, social, and policy perspectives
3. Engage with stakeholders and communities through participatory approaches
4. Produce tangible outcomes: policy briefs, visual reports, and contributions to the Urban Atlas of Rabat–Salé, that demonstrate societal impact and foster long-term cooperation between Moroccan and Dutch institutions.
Designing Urban Inquiry 5
Urban Action Lab. Field Project 10

More Info

The minor is structured in two units (15 EC + 15 EC), combining conceptual learning, methodological training, and applied field research.
Part A introduces students to contemporary urban transformations in Morocco through a lecture series, guided excursions, and an interdisciplinary methods course. Students explore themes such as urban heritage, renewal, governance, infrastructure, sustainability, and the future of cities, while learning qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Part B deepens this engagement through research design and an applied field project in the Rabat–Salé agglomeration. Students develop a research proposal, conduct field-based research in interdisciplinary teams, and produce a policy-oriented output. The programme integrates humanities, social sciences, and technical perspectives within a challenge-based and field-oriented learning framework.

About NIMAR
NIMAR is the Dutch institute in Morocco. Since 2016, NIMAR has been an integral part of the Faculty of Humanities of Leiden University, complying with the high standards for education as set by the Dutch Ministry of Education. NIMAR offers courses, organises lectures, facilitates research, and actively contributes to the knowledge of Moroccan languages, cultures and society in an African and Mediterranean perspective. NIMAR’s main aim is to offer students from Dutch universities and universities of applied sciences opportunities to study and do research in Morocco and in the wider African and Middle Eastern region. It is also actively involved in collecting books, electronic and audio-visual materials form the Arab world for the libraries of Leiden University.

About Rabat
Rabat is the capital of the Kingdom of Morocco. It is a situated on the Atlantic coast, which offers a pleasant and accessible environment to acquaint students with living in North Africa and the Middle East. It has good cultural and scholarly facilities; housing major teaching and research institutions, libraries, museums, bookstores etc. Rabat has its own airport and offers good connections to all other parts of Morocco. It is about one hour by train from Casablanca, which has the biggest international airport in Morocco.

Terms / Learning objectives

By the end of the minor, students will be able to:

  • Analyse urban transformations and mayor environmental challenges in Morocco through historical, spatial, and socio-political perspectives.

  • Apply interdisciplinary methods (technical, social-scientific, and humanistic) to real urban contexts.

  • Conduct independent and team-based research combining theory, fieldwork, and policy analysis.

  • Engage with local communities and institutions, integrating top-down and bottom-up perspectives, with specific attention for sustainable development goals.

  • Produce concrete outputs such as reports, maps, and policy briefs demonstrating societal relevance.

  • Reflect critically on biases and assumptions, diverse academic traditions, ethics, positionality, and the role of research in sustainable and inclusive urban futures.

Required prior knowledge

The minor is intended for BA-2 and BA-3 students from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, including but not limited to humanities, social sciences, architecture, planning, and related fields.
No specific prior knowledge of Morocco is required. However, students should demonstrate an interest in urban studies, societal challenges, and interdisciplinary collaboration. A willingness to engage in field-based research and participatory learning is essential.

Enrollment / Good to know

Enrollment takes place via EduXchange according to the official LDE deadlines. Students from all over the Netherlands are welcome, though Leiden University, TU Delft, and Erasmus University Rotterdam have priority.

The minor includes intensive teaching weeks and field-based components in Morocco. Active participation in lectures, excursions, and group work is essential. Students should be prepared for collaborative, interdisciplinary teamwork and an applied research component.
The 15 EC option consists of the foundational courses (Part A). Students opting for 30 EC continue with research design and a supervised field project (Part B). Assessment includes written assignments, group work, presentations, and a final applied research output.