WHY US

The MA degree in Smart Cities and Urban Informatics (SCUI) offered by the Department of Geography at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, is unique within the landscape of Israeli universities. It capitalizes on the joint strengths of the existing program in Urban Planning at the Hebrew University and the GeoInformatics track in the Department of Geography. Leveraging these competences, it seeks to develop this new area of higher education and equip a new generation of urban planners and policy makers with the requisite tool box for addressing the challenges of the Smart City.

The SCUI degree offers a unique opportunity to study in and experience the City of Jerusalem. With an active technological ecosystem, the city offers the ideal backdrop for the program. The laboratory conditions that Jerusalem provides and the challenges that it faces are second to none. The program has a strong Jerusalem emphasis and will show-case the city as a unique beta-site for many of the practical courses to be offered.

While several definitions exist, the common threat uniting them is the Smart City's principal mission, namely optimizing city functions and driving economic growth while improving quality of life. This involves improving access to the city's various services, enhancing safety and reducing pollution using smart technology and data analysis. Smart cities are places with the ability to integrate information and communication technologies (ICT) and people in public areas to enhance the learning, knowledge and quality of life of their residents, facilitating social, cultural and urban development. They are perceived as geographic networks that combine technological advances with collaborative innovation between the main stakeholders in the urban environment: residents, local and central government, industry, university, and third sector organizations.

1 year MA

37 credit

Urban informatics is grounded in a suite of tools and methods that enable us to capitalize on the latest advances in technology for capturing, storing, processing and analyzing urban spatial information and presenting it as dynamic and visual entities such as 3D maps, multilayer databases and dashboards. A big part of being a Smart City is the use of new, digital technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve municipal processes and civic technology for the benefit of urban residents. Urban Informatics is crucial in this process. When applied to urban issues, geo-data is crucial for a better understanding of human interactions with the city. This is especially the case when migration to cities is rapid, creating all kinds of challenges from pandemics to traffic congestion, air pollution and poverty. Any model of the Smart City needs to rely on up to date science and technology to analyze data spatially.

Study with the best. The Hebrew University is the highest-ranked university in Israel, one of the world’s top 100, and one of the top 25 schools outside of the United States. You’ll work with internationally accomplished faculty and have access to an impressive range of resources and facilities. You will enjoy all the benefits of studying at an elite institution with a global reputation: expert faculty, advanced facilities, and extensive networks.

Join us in Jerusalem and experience the excitement of our unique city – all while immersing yourself in a challenging and supportive academic adventure. Enjoy vibrant architecture, food, and street life while walking through our historic neighborhoods. Here, East meets West, and Judaism, Christianity, and Islam thrive. Here, entrepreneurs and leaders in IT research and development push beyond what was thought possible. Here, creatives and changemakers come together. Jerusalem is a city of discovery – and your second classroom.