SIT Study Abroad Logo

IHP Europe

Comparative Cities

(Filling; Apply by May 15, 2026)
APPLY NOW REQUEST INFO

Urban Europe: Explore cities, understand urban challenges—what shapes them, what threatens them, what’s next.

At a Glance

Credits

16

Prerequisites

None

Courses taught in

English

Dates

Aug 31 – Dec 13

Program Countries

Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom

Program Base

Netherlands, United Kingdom, Italy

Visa

Varies

Critical Global Issue of Study

Development & Inequality

Program Cost

Contact a Former Student

APPLY NOW QUESTIONS? ASK US!

Overview

Why a comparative study of Europe's cities?

This program offers a unique, hands-on exploration of three vibrant European cities, diving into their design, culture, and the challenges they face today. Students will compare how history, politics, culture, and environmental issues have shaped each city, and how these urban centers influence the broader European landscape.

Key topics include public infrastructure, affordable housing, sustainability, and preserving cultural heritage while adapting to change. The program also explores current issues like aging infrastructure, rising inequality, and housing shortages, alongside challenges such as globalization, climate change, and overtourism.
Through immersive experiences, site visits, guided excursions, and conversations with local experts, students will gain real-world insights into the complexities of urban life. They’ll also analyze innovative policy responses and community-driven solutions, helping cities become more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive. By the end, students will walk away with practical skills and knowledge to navigate the evolving dynamics of urban Europe, preparing them for careers in urban development, sustainability, policymaking, and beyond.

Highlights

  • Examine how London, Amsterdam, and Milan reflect historical, cultural, and political forces shaping urban Europe today.
  • Analyze housing, infrastructure, sustainability, and identity in London, Amsterdam, and Milan through a comparative, interdisciplinary lens.
  • Explore how social inequality, overtourism, and climate change impact the vitality and resilience of these three cities.
  • Engage in site visits, interviews, and projects to study innovative urban policies and local solutions.

Prerequisites

None.

program map

Program Sites

Amsterdam, Netherlands

With its complex blend of history, cultural diversity, and cutting-edge urban innovation, Amsterdam offers valuable lessons in urban evolution. The city’s history provides a compelling backdrop for exploring contemporary city life, especially in relation to its ongoing challenges with social integration and inequality. Amsterdam’s efforts to address modern urban issues such as climate change, housing, and overpopulation through sustainable practices like green infrastructure, cycling-friendly design, and Smart City technologies make it a leader in urban innovation. This combination of historical depth, cultural complexity, and forward-thinking sustainability offers students a unique opportunity to study the interplay of past, present, and future challenges in European cities.

London, UK

London’s rich history as the heart of the British Empire and its industrial transformation offers a context for deep understanding of urban growth. The city’s vibrant, diverse population creates a dynamic mix of idealized images and real-life experiences. London faces challenges like housing inequality, social exclusion, and wealth disparity, while also working to become more sustainable through green spaces, low-carbon transportation, and urban regeneration. These complexities make London an ideal city for exploring how competing city narratives shape urban policies and everyday life.

Milan, Italy

A city renowned for its fashion, design, and economic innovation, Milan blends cultural vibrancy with cutting-edge urban planning. Its evolution from a Renaissance cultural center to an industrial and economic powerhouse highlights the city’s adaptability and resilience. Despite its prosperity, Milan faces important urban challenges, including affordable housing, gentrification, and the integration of migrants. The city’s efforts to balance economic growth with social inclusion, while fostering sustainability, make it an essential case study in how cities can address both economic development and social cohesion.

Please note that SIT will make every effort to maintain its programs as described. To respond to emergent situations, however, SIT may have to change or cancel programs.

Academics

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

  • Identify the historical and cultural forces that have shaped urban development in European cities.
  • Analyze contemporary challenges to urban well-being, including gentrification, housing affordability, climate change, and tourism pressures.
  • Compare how different cities integrate future-oriented urban strategies—including smart technologies and green infrastructure— in their response to social and environmental challenges.
  • Interpret how cultural narratives and media representations shape urban identities and influence perceptions of European cities.
  • Analyze how patterns of inclusion and exclusion have shaped European urban development, and how marginalized groups have responded to, resisted, or reimagined city life over time.
  • Critically reflect on the ethical and intercultural dimensions of engaging with communities and local stakeholders in diverse urban contexts.

Read more about Program Learning Outcomes.



Coursework

The following syllabi are representative of this program. Because courses develop and change over time to take advantage of dynamic learning opportunities, actual course content will vary from term to term.

The syllabi can be useful for students, faculty, and study abroad offices in assessing credit transfer. Read more about credit transfer.

Please expand the sections below to see detailed course information, including course codes, credits, overviews, and syllabi.


This is SIT

  • We value active togetherness, reciprocity, and respect as the essential ingredients for building a sustainable community.
  • bullet list icon
  • With open minds, empathy, and courage, we facilitate intercultural understanding and respect for the commonalities and differences between people.
  • bullet list icon
  • We champion social inclusion & justice in all that we are and all that we do, from ensuring our community and our programs amplify the voices, agency, and dignity of all people to deliberately instilling the principles and practices of inclusion in all of our work.
  • bullet list icon
  • We are committed to human and environmental well-being through sustainability and contributing to a better world for all living and future generations.

Urban History of Contemporary Europe

Urban History of Contemporary Europe – syllabus
(URST-3000 / 4 credits)

This course examines the historical evolution of Amsterdam, London, and Milan, focusing on how each city became a significant urban center shaped by economic, political, and cultural forces. Students will examine Amsterdam’s rise as a trade hub during the Dutch Golden Age, London’s evolution into the heart of the British Empire and its role in industrialization, and Milan’s transformation from a Renaissance center to an industrial powerhouse and global leader in fashion and design. By studying key historical turning points, students will gain a deeper understanding of how cities have adapted to external pressures and reinvented themselves over time. The course highlights how migration, colonialism, war, and globalization shaped the cultural and economic identities of these cities and their impact on European history.

Cities of the Future

Cities of the Future – syllabus
(IDST-3050 / 4 credits)

This course explores the future of cities in the face of climate change, demographic shifts, affordable housing, and aging infrastructure. Through a comparative study of Amsterdam, London, and Milan, students will examine how these cities are leveraging Smart technology, green infrastructure, and urban planning to address challenges like traffic congestion, pollution, and overpopulation. The course will explore how urban innovation is fostering resilience and sustainability while tackling issues such as inequality and accessibility. Students will analyze the role of cities in adapting to environmental and social stressors, focusing on creating inclusive, livable spaces that support diverse populations and enhance quality of life in an ever-evolving urban landscape.

City Life: Representations and Realities

City Life: Representations and Realities – syllabus
(EURO-3030 / 4 credits)

This course examines how representations of iconic European cities and their cultural institutions popularized across the mediascape perpetuate dominant discourses of inclusion and exclusion in urban life. By contrasting idealized and commercialized narratives with the lived experiences of residents in the center and on the outskirts, students will explore how perceptions of the city and its denizens are constructed and challenged. Special attention will be paid to the role of underground cultural movements and marginalized communities in offering counter narratives. Through field visits, readings, and media analysis, students will contrast competing narratives of the city and its people, exploring how alternative stories challenge mainstream portrayals and reshape the identity of European metropolises.

Project Cities: Community Engagement and Ethical Inquiry

Project Cities: Community Engagement and Ethical Inquiry – syllabus 
(URST-3500 / 4 credits)

This course combines community engagement and self-directed inquiry to deepen students’ understanding of the field of urban studies and the significance of cities. At each program site, students collaborate with local organizations on community-initiated projects while developing intercultural communication and ethical engagement skills. Simultaneously, they pursue an individual, inquiry-based project on a topic related to course themes – such as gentrification, cultural heritage, accessibility, or urban sprawl—through field research and expert interviews. The course culminates in a final integrative project and presentation, fostering a holistic, comparative perspective on global cities.

Housing

Housing

Student accommodations will include a mix of homestays, hostels, guesthouses, and small hotels/dorms. Students may experience homestays and will be oriented as they move from place to place.

Career Paths

Potential career paths include:

  • Urban planner

  • Cultural heritage manager

  • Urban policy analyst

  • Social impact consultant

  • Urban experience curator

  • Community development specialist

  • Sustainability consultant

  • Smart City technologist

  • Destination marketing manager

  • International urban development expert

Faculty & Staff

IHP Europe: Comparative Cities

Jonathan Key, MA bio link
Jonathan Key, MA

Discover the Possibilities

  • Cost & Scholarships

    SIT Study Abroad is committed to ensuring that international education is within reach for all students. We believe in the transformative power of immersive, intercultural experiences and are dedicated to supporting students in their educational journey.

    See All Costs

  • HEALTH, ACCESS &
    IDENTITY

    A critical step in preparing for your study abroad program is planning how you will maintain your health and wellbeing. Please review the following information carefully and contact [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

    Learn More

  • Visa
    Requirements

    Depending on your passport of origin, you may need a visa for this program. Please contact your admissions officer for more information.