Building Sustainability in Urban Futures
Master of Business Administration

The MBA in Building Sustainability in Urban Futures prepares professionals to lead the transformation of buildings, cities, and infrastructure toward climate neutrality and social responsibility. The program develops the interdisciplinary knowledge, analytical ability, and leadership skills required to plan, manage, and implement sustainable projects in complex urban environments.

Understand and shape sustainable urban systems

Gain a comprehensive understanding of buildings and urban systems as integrated parts of sustainable development. Students learn to connect technology, economics, management, and policy to evaluate and design effective solutions across the full life cycle of the built environment.

Lead transformation processes

Strengthen the ability to guide change within organizations and projects by applying management, financial, and legal tools. The program fosters strategic and systems thinking, innovation, and responsible leadership in the context of global sustainability transitions.

Build professional and interdisciplinary competencies

Develop strong communication, teamwork, and project-management skills in international and cross-sectoral settings. Students learn to collaborate effectively across disciplines and to integrate ethical, cultural, and social perspectives into their professional practice.

The Building Sustainability in Urban Futures (MBA) develops professionals who can integrate technical, economic, and managerial perspectives to advance the sustainable transformation of buildings and cities. Graduates are equipped with the interdisciplinary skills needed to design and implement responsible solutions in international contexts.

Technical and Analytical Competence

• Evaluate the environmental, economic, and social performance of buildings and urban systems
• Apply tools from energy analysis, life-cycle assessment, and digitalization to optimize projects across the building life cycle
• Integrate renewable energy technologies and circular economy approaches into planning and operations

Leadership and Management Skills

• Plan, finance, and manage sustainability-oriented projects using business, legal, and policy frameworks
• Lead interdisciplinary teams and navigate complex stakeholder environments
• Develop strategies and business models that promote climate neutrality and long-term value creation

Ethics, Communication, and Research

• Communicate effectively across disciplines and cultures in professional and policy settings
• Apply ethical reasoning and social responsibility in decision-making
• Conduct independent research and develop evidence-based recommendations through applied projects and the Master’s thesis

Part of sustainability is quality management. Quality should not be left to chance, but should be the result of a continuous improvement process. TU Berlin has moved its focus from the accreditation of individual study programmes to the evaluation of the university as a system. The university’s quality assurance procedures are designed so that all stakeholders may develop responsibly and in dialogue with one another. System accreditation therefore leads to the accreditation of all study programmes offered by the university.

The subject of system accreditation is the internal quality assurance system of a university in the domain of teaching and learning. The structures and processes relevant for teaching and studies are examined to ensure that they achieve the qualification objectives and the required academic quality. The framework follows the requirements of the Kultusministerkonferenz (KMK), the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ESG), and the criteria of the Akkreditierungsrat (German Accreditation Council).

A positive system accreditation certifies that the university’s quality assurance system in teaching and learning is suitable for ensuring the achievement of qualification objectives and the quality standards of degree programmes. Degree programmes that are designed and managed under the specifications of the accredited system are thus accredited. (Own translation after Akkreditierungsrat, 20 February 2013.)

TU Berlin’s system accreditation by the Zentrale Evaluations‐ und Akkreditierungsagentur (ZEvA) was confirmedfor a period of six years following a positive review in July 2021 by the Central Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (ZEvA).

Building Sustainability in Urban Futures (MBA) is included within this accreditation framework and is currently in its final phase of certification.

Further information: Systemakkreditierung TU Berlin

Sustainability and Built Environment Expertise

The program equips students with a deep understanding of how buildings and cities can contribute to sustainable development. It combines knowledge of building physics, energy systems, and life-cycle assessment with insights into urban resilience, climate adaptation, and the role of digitalization in the building sector, including an introduction to Building Information Modeling (BIM) and related data concepts.

Innovation and Management Skills

Students learn to lead projects and organizations through the transition toward climate-neutral and resource-efficient practices. The program strengthens strategic and financial decision-making, project and portfolio management, and the ability to design innovative, circular business models in the built environment.

Communication and Collaborative Skills

Successful sustainability management relies on clear communication and cooperation across disciplines. The MBA develops leadership, negotiation, and intercultural skills that enable graduates to work effectively in international, interdisciplinary teams and to engage stakeholders with confidence and empathy.

Research and Analytical Skills

The program fosters analytical thinking and evidence-based problem-solving. Students gain the ability to conduct applied research, evaluate complex data, and present findings clearly in professional and academic contexts, supporting innovation and policy development in the built environment.

The Building Sustainability in Urban Futures (MBA) is a full-time program comprising 90 ECTS credits completed over three semesters. It combines core modules, electives, and an independent master’s thesis that integrates academic research with practical application.

During the first two semesters, students complete the mandatory core modules in technology, economics, business, law, and management. These modules provide the interdisciplinary foundation necessary to understand and shape the sustainable transformation of buildings, cities, and energy systems.

In the third semester, students choose two electives to deepen their expertise in selected areas such as circular business models, sustainable construction, project management, or international energy systems. The program concludes with the Master’s Thesis, an 18-ECTS research project that allows students to apply their knowledge to a topic of professional or academic relevance.

Learning takes place in small, international cohorts through lectures, seminars, group projects, and applied case studies. The program emphasizes real-world contexts, teamwork, and interaction with academic experts and industry practitioners on TU Berlin’s EUREF Campus.

Program structure

Each module in the Building Sustainability in Urban Futures (MBA) is assessed individually through a combination of written exams, portfolio work, group projects, and presentations. This approach allows students to demonstrate their analytical, managerial, and communication skills across different contexts. The final component of the program is the Master’s Thesis, which is evaluated based on academic quality, methodological rigor, and practical relevance.

All study and examination procedures of the Building Sustainability in Urban Futures (MBA) are governed by the General Study and Examination Regulations (Allgemeine Studien- und Prüfungsordnung – AllgStuPO) of Technische Universität Berlin, available here:
General Study and Examination Regulations (AllgStuPO) – TU Berlin

The General Study and Examination Regulations contain the overarching rules and procedures that apply to all degree programs at TU Berlin. These cover topics such as enrollment, re-registration, part-time studies, leave of absence, termination of studies, and examination procedures.

In addition, each program is governed by its own study and examination regulations (Studien- und Prüfungsordnung – StuPO), which define the specific structure, curriculum, assessment methods, and requirements for the master’s thesis.
Link to BuSu-specific Study and Examination Regulations (StuPO) – [placeholder]

There are also supplementary application and admission regulations (Zulassungs- und Zugangsordnung – ZZO) for master’s programs, which describe the requirements and procedures for admission to each program.
Link to BuSu-specific Application and Admission Regulations (ZZO) – [placeholder]

The legal foundation for these regulations is provided by the Berlin Higher Education Act (Berliner Hochschulgesetz – BerlHG), which establishes the framework for all universities in Berlin. The BerlHG ensures the quality and comparability of study programs, guarantees academic freedom, and regulates key aspects such as admission, examinations, student rights, and degree recognition.

Together, these frameworks ensure that the Building Sustainability in Urban Futures MBA meets the high academic standards of TU Berlin and the requirements of the State of Berlin, providing transparency, fairness, and quality in all aspects of study and examination.

Please note that the German versions of all official regulations are legally binding. English translations are provided for informational purposes only.

Practical, Applied Learning

The Building Sustainability in Urban Futures (MBA) combines academic rigor with practical application. Students engage with real-world case studies, interdisciplinary group projects, and interactive seminars that connect theory with current challenges in sustainable building, real estate, and urban development. The program’s applied orientation enables participants to translate analytical and technical knowledge into actionable solutions for climate-neutral cities and buildings.

International and Interdisciplinary Learning Environment

Study alongside professionals from diverse backgrounds in engineering, architecture, economics, and policy. The interdisciplinary approach fosters the ability to integrate multiple perspectives when addressing sustainability challenges. Courses are taught entirely in English and take place in small groups of up to 30 students, ensuring close interaction with lecturers and peers. The program is based on TU Berlin’s EUREF Campus, a leading hub for energy, mobility, and urban innovation, where research, teaching, and industry meet.

Networking and Career Development

Students benefit from direct exposure to companies, research institutions, and organizations located on the EUREF Campus and across Berlin’s sustainability ecosystem. Guest lectures, workshops, and project collaborations create strong connections with industry and policy professionals. Graduates of the Building Sustainability in Urban Futures (MBA) are well-prepared for leadership and advisory roles in real estate and construction firms, energy and environmental consultancies, international organizations, and public institutions.

There is a growing demand in Germany and Europe for professionals who can combine technical expertise with strategic, managerial, and intercultural skills. The Building Sustainability in Urban Futures (MBA) opens pathways to careers focused on the sustainable transformation of buildings, cities, and infrastructure worldwide.

Testimonial

At the Advanced Masters Programs, we celebrate diversity as a source of strength, innovation, and collaboration. Our Charter of Intercultural Understanding affirms our shared commitment to respect, empathy, and open dialogue across cultures. It guides how we learn, teach, and work together in an international academic community, fostering mutual understanding and preparing future leaders for a globally connected world.

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