SHORT DESCRIPTION
INHABITAT – MSc in Intelligent Sustainable Habitats is a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary program designed to meet the rising global demand for professionals capable of shaping smart, climate-resilient urban environments. Delivered through an innovative blend of physical and virtual mobility across leading European institutions, the program fosters a unique competence mix at the intersection of sustainability, digitalization, and engineering. Graduates emerge with expertise in Internet of Things (IoT) applications for sustainable cities—an area of strategic importance to governments, businesses, and civil society.
INH-A.1 Urban sustainability (12 ECTS)
This module explores the principles and strategies essential for promoting sustainability in urban environments. It covers a range of topics, including circular and regenerative construction, biophilic design, and sustainable value chain management. Digital tools, such as IoT and GIS, are applied for data-driven urban planning and environmental monitoring, enhancing the ability to make informed decisions for sustainable city development. Through life cycle assessments, material and energy flow analysis, and feasibility studies, students will gain insights into evaluating and improving urban systems from economic, social, and environmental perspectives. Additionally, assessment and design of sustainable urban systems, analysis of real-world cases and exploration of innovative urban solutions, from smart infrastructure to green building practices, are part of the course. System analysis methodologies and holistic approaches in order to evaluate urban sustainability are implemented. Through challenge-based learning, students will apply their knowledge in practical contexts, fostering skills in model analysis, sustainability assessment, and the design of sustainable value chains aligned with modern urban challenges.
INH-A.2 Climate change and built Environment (9 ECTS)
The course explores the relationship between climate change and the design, construction, and management of sustainable urban environments. With increasing awareness of climate change’s impacts on urban infrastructure, this course provides students with the knowledge and skills to develop buildings and cities that are resilient, resource-efficient, and environmentally sound. The course also covers fundamental concepts of climate science and resilience, delving into the challenges that urban areas face in adapting to and mitigating climate change. Key topics include green building standards, renewable energy integration, and life cycle assessment (LCA) of construction materials and processes. Students will explore innovative approaches to sustainable construction, including the use of IoT and GIS for environmental monitoring, as well as policies and financial incentives that support green buildings. Through practical projects, case studies, and policy analysis, students will learn to design and evaluate climate-resilient buildings and infrastructure, apply green building certifications, and employ sustainable design principles. By the end of this course, students will be equipped to make informed decisions that contribute to reducing the built environment’s carbon footprint and enhancing urban resilience to climate impacts.
INH-A.3 Waste Treatment (9 ECTS)
The course provides an in-depth exploration of sustainable waste management practices, focusing on recycling, e-waste management, and wastewater treatment. As global waste generation continues to increase, effective treatment and recovery of waste materials are essential to minimize environmental impacts and support resource efficiency. The course prepares students to understand, evaluate, and implement advanced waste treatment methods aligned with circular economy principles. It also covers fundamental concepts in waste management, examining the challenges and opportunities in recycling different waste streams, including plastics, metals, and electronic waste. Students will learn about the environmental and health implications of e-waste, and explore advanced recycling and recovery techniques aimed at maximizing resource recovery while reducing hazards. Through case studies, practical labs, and policy analysis, students will develop competencies in life cycle assessment (LCA), waste prevention, and the application of sustainable design principles. By the end of this module, students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to design effective waste treatment strategies, promote circular economy practices, and contribute to sustainable development in waste management.
INH-Β.1 Data Acquisition and IoT (12 ECTS)
This course focuses on data acquisition circuits and systems, an essential part of control networks. Sensors used in urban planning and remote sensing in a smart city environment, such as particulate matter and air pollutants sensors, humidity, precipitation and temperature sensors, water ion sensors, pH, ORP and conductivity sensors, sound, ultrasonic and pressure sensors as well as modern sensoring systems are analyzed together with their connectivity with modern diagnostic systems. The course is also accompanied by laboratory sessions to familiarize the students with hands on exercises. The course includes topics such as basics of networking, architectures, protocols and interfaces presenting standard solutions for requirements analyses, design and implementation, rules in the service, platforms and system integration, enhancement and service provisioning. The overall knowledge of the sustainable design of the smart implementations and applications in different sectors in a distributed or centralized, edge or/and cloud computing based, mobile and fixed, wired, and wireless networks is important. The sectors stressed in the laboratory classes without being limited are smart agriculture, smart cities, smart water, smart transport, smart utilities.
INH-Β.2 Energy Efficient Cities (9 ECTS)
The first part of the course consists of a general introduction to Renewable Energy Systems (RES) including the basic facts and figures, policies and measures to promote RES as well as types and key characteristics of Renewable Energy Systems. Introduction, in-depth technical and socioeconomical analysis of various RES, like solar energy production, heating and cooling, wind and bio-energy systems, as well as RES in urban transportation. The second part of the course focuses on smart transportation systems, their applications and the technologies used for their implementation. Communication protocols used to facilitate the implementation of intelligent transportation systems (VANETs, V2V, V2I, V2P, V2X), autonomous driving systems (autonomous vehicles, control algorithms), smart applications like street lights and traffic lights management are among the topics of the course. Significant part is devoted to algorithms appropriate for route optimization as well as artificial intelligence based on constraints that can be incorporate diverse applications and mainly the fleet management of utility vehicles that form a great percentage of the vehicles in an urban environment.
INH-Β.3 Sustainable Business I (6 ECTS)
The course examines international sustainable development policy frameworks and environmental law, designed for a global student cohort. It focuses on universal principles, international agreements, and comparative policy approaches, enabling students to apply learning to their local contexts. The course provides an interdisciplinary exploration of sustainable development, focusing on policy, and law. The course examines the complex interactions between environmental and social factors, equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address sustainability challenges in various contexts. Through theoretical analysis, case studies, and practical exercises, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of sustainable development principles and their application. In the second part of the course, the basic principles of identifying and seizing opportunities for sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship within their urban sustainability context, as well as the flow of the mega trends of digitalization and smart systems will be conveyed to the students. They will learn proven methods for creativity, opportunity identification and concretization. They will also learn key principles of a successful and sustainable innovation culture on both a small team and huge enterprise scale. With respect to the latter, they will learn about entrepreneurship and corporate entrepreneurship as principles for innovating within a complex corporate context. In terms of practical tools and methods, the course focuses on proven practicable ones, such as the business model canvas as a basis for creating a business plan, as well as creativity methods like Design Thinking, Six Thinking Hats, etc. Infrastructures and strategies for financing an entrepreneurial activity will also be treated.
INH-Β.4 Local culture and language: Lithuanian (3 ECTS)
The course is designed for foreign students seeking to develop essential skills in the Lithuanian language and a deep appreciation of Lithuania’s rich cultural heritage. This module introduces the fundamentals of Lithuanian, including basic vocabulary, grammar, and conversational skills, empowering students to engage in everyday interactions with confidence. In addition to language instruction, the module offers a comprehensive overview of Lithuanian culture, covering traditional customs, festivals, and social norms. Students will explore Lithuania’s history, significant landmarks, and contributions to art, music, and literature. Through interactive workshops, cultural immersion activities, and practical exercises, students will gain a deeper understanding of Lithuanian society and values.
INH-C.1 Remote Sensing and Geodata Management (12 ECTS)
The course includes a general introduction to WSN with an overview of use-cases, applications, and current technologies. Besides the fundamentals of wireless communications, the course consists of descriptions and analysis of the PHY and MAC layers of WSN systems. Case studies like the multi-hop WSNs with the corresponding addressing systems and routing protocols and end-to-end transmission technologies will be studied. In the end, the students will be acquainted with WSN operating systems and simulators, network and service architectures for WSN as well as platforms for data storage, processing and visualization. The course also includes sections related to the structure, building blocks, communication modules, flight planning, experiment planning while implementing in different sectors, test specifications and quality of service. Students will design, develop, and implement of drones in complex IoT systems. Knowledge of the drones knowledge in hardware and software design, sensors, actuators, cameras, communication technologies, data structures and data transmission, motion, kinematics, flight scheduling, as well as legislation, security, data management. At the end of the course students will have a basic knowledge of how drones work, are built and could be implemented in different industrial sectors, how the drones could be used in the integrated sustainable solutions and be interoperable with other systems. The Geodata Management Systems part is covered by a problem based approach. Starting from a real world problem in environmental sciences related to urban planning students will learn to retrieve and process freely available open geo-spatiotemporal data from ground based measurements including data from the students’ own data acquisition as well as remote sensing data from satellites, planes or drones, e.g. from the European earth observation program COPERNICUS and other regional sources. The data analysis will focus on the EU member states. The course is accompanied by interactive online software laboratory sessions. The homework assignments comprise mainly problem based mini-projects. In their final project the students will implement a solution using the full processing chain from data acquisition / retrieval via data engineering and geo-database to final data analysis with GIS.
INH-C.2 Data Processing and AR/VR (9 ECTS)
The course consists of sections for design, development, and implementation of virtual reality and augmented reality solutions in different sectors. Basic parts of the models and how to organise and simulate/ test them are included. Some technological challenges in medical applications, deep water, harsh environment, special industries implementations are becoming more and more important nowadays due to the high requirements for sustainability and reliability. The students will be able to implement the knowledge in integrating AR and VR in IoT platforms, build and enhance the systems using VR and AR and how to make them sustainable and interoperable with other systems. The Data Processing and Blockchain module provides students with advanced knowledge and practical skills in managing, analyzing, and securing urban data using modern data processing techniques and blockchain technology. Students will develop expertise in data quality assurance, data cleansing, and handling large datasets through tools like MATLAB and OpenRefine. They will enforce the ability to analyze complex urban datasets, extract key insights, and propose data-driven solutions for sustainable urban development. Additionally, students will assess and design blockchain-integrated frameworks to enhance data security and transparency, promoting innovation in smart urban systems.
INH-C.3 Sustainable Business II (6 ECTS)
The first part of the course explores the economic principles and policies essential for achieving sustainable development. Students will examine foundational theories in environmental and resource economics, the economics of climate change, and the role of innovation and technology in sustainable economic growth. The course covers topics such as green growth, circular economy models, and the social dimensions of sustainability, including equity and justice. By analyzing real-world cases and engaging in collaborative projects, students will gain the skills needed to design and evaluate economic policies that support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and foster resilience and inclusivity in global and local economies. In the second part of the course, fundamental insight into basic business management is given to the students. It deals with business strategies, strategic thinking and planning, as well as best practices for implementing and continuously evaluating and improving business strategies. For this, the course will deliver a basic understanding of the role of a business manager with its related functions, tasks, and responsibilities. It will deal with the functions of a company, the roles to be aware of. It will show different types of managers and how their work affects the company. It will elaborate on how successful business managers think, act, and motivate their collaborators.
INH-C.4 Local Culture & Language (Italian) (3 ECTS)
Lectures will deal with the history of Italy from unification (1861) to the present days, in order to provide a chronological frame for the main cultural movements and events. Students will have an opportunity to discuss crucial cultural problems, spanning politics, ecological issues, Italian literature, cinema and local customs. Special attention will be paid to social imaginaries and narratives, which will be used as an entry point for a critical approach to the investigation of identities and cultural trends. The course will make extensive use of Italian cinema for introducing students to the main cultural challenges of modern and contemporary Italy and to its geographical and environmental variety and beauty. The course will also offer some basics of Italian Language (A0/A1), which will enable students to lay the groundwork for further potential study of Italian (in form of courses or self-study).
INH-D.1 Master’s Degree Final Project (30 ECTS)
During this course, students will develop and defend their final master theses: consolidate all the knowledge acquired and competences developed during their previous studies, demonstrate the ability of creativity, skills of oral and written communication. Students will analyse various issues of sustainability, and related engineering areas in the field of business, other organizations or regional context. From the scientific approach, students demonstrate their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to analyse real-life situations and to formulate summarized methods and proposals for problem solving based on the results of their research.
Significant part of the theses will be elaborated within the one month internship of the students.
VALUES
Leader-Recognized Knowledge
Students gain access to an internationally recognized curriculum co-developed by academic leaders and industry pioneers in sustainable urban innovation. The program is backed by a robust network of European partners, ensuring quality through peer-reviewed modules, external accreditations, and continuous professional stakeholder feedback.
Creating Study Experience
INHABITAT goes beyond the classroom with a challenge-based learning model anchored in real-world cases from municipalities, tech companies, and environmental organizations. Students engage in cross-border collaborative projects and immersive labs that translate directly into societal impact.
New Freedom of Choice
The program offers a highly flexible and modular structure. Students from varied academic and professional backgrounds—including civil, electrical, environmental, or software engineering—can tailor their study paths through elective modules and mobility tracks across multiple European universities.
Inspiring Study Environment
Learners benefit from a dynamic and international study ecosystem featuring hybrid teaching formats, cutting-edge labs, living labs in partner cities, and access to innovation hubs. This fosters not only academic excellence but also intercultural and interdisciplinary collaboration essential for future urban leaders.
CAREER
Graduates of the INHABITAT MSc program are uniquely positioned to respond to the urgent and growing demand for professionals capable of designing and implementing intelligent, sustainable solutions for urban living. Their cross-sectoral expertise and mobility-acquired experience make them highly attractive to a wide array of stakeholders, including municipalities, environmental agencies, urban technology firms, utility providers, NGOs, and research institutions. Employers value their ability to operate at the nexus of sustainability, digital innovation, and policy.
Career Pathways:
- Current Opportunity – Urban Sustainability Technologist
Graduates contribute to deploying and optimizing digital technologies such as IoT and AI in urban infrastructure, supporting smart mobility, energy-efficient logistics, and resource monitoring systems.
2. Current Opportunity – Environmental Innovation Strategist
Professionals work with public and private organizations to co-design and implement integrated solutions that enhance urban resilience and circularity, aligning with EU Green Deal and local climate targets.
3. Future Opportunity – Systems Architect for Regenerative Cities
As cities transition from sustainability to regeneration, demand will grow for experts who can holistically integrate technology, nature-based solutions, and social innovation into next-generation urban planning.