Department of Planning and Regional Development / PRD-UTh

The Department of Planning and Regional Development at the University of Thessaly is Greece's oldest institution specializing in urban planning, spatial planning, and regional development. Founded in 1989 and located in Volos, Greece, it has developed a strong reputation for producing skilled professionals equipped to tackle contemporary challenges in spatial planning, planning policy, urban design, climate resilience, sustainable development, environmental management, spatial economics, urban geography and demographics, real estate, transport planning, GIS and earth observation. Offering a five-year undergraduate program that grants a diploma recognized by the Technical Chamber of Greece, the department emphasizes both theoretical and practical skills. Known for its interdisciplinary, problem-based learning approach, students engage directly with communities and local stakeholders. The department also provides nine specialized Master’s programs covering tourism, cultural planning, entrepreneurship, urban regeneration, real estate, geoinformatics, advanced and applied spatial planning. Research plays a central role, with faculty and PhD candidates involved in projects supported by national and international funds across 11 research labs. The department’s advanced facilities provide students with tools for urban analysis, spatial modeling, remote sensing, and geostatistics, bridging academia and professional development. Faculty members contribute significantly to global academic discourse, actively participating in initiatives aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The department’s impact and expertise make it a leader in advancing sustainable urban and regional planning practices in Greece and beyond.