The world is currently experiencing a significant rate of urban growth, accelerating year by year and now encompassing 55% of the global population. According to UN projections, this proportion is expected to reach 60% by 2030 and could double by 2050 (UN-Habitat, 2007). This urban explosion predominantly affects cities in developing countries, with an even more alarming situation in Africa, where cities are undergoing the fastest growth and transformation globally. In response to this rapid urban growth, initiatives to implement new paradigms of smart cities are emerging across Africa. These initiatives face intrinsic challenges that hinder their success. It is imperative to establish the role of smart cities as drivers of sustainable and resilient urban development in Africa. There is a tangible and growing demand today from African urban actors and highly qualified researchers for expertise in smart cities. This is particularly evident in all areas of the continent's digital transformation, especially in the use of artificial intelligence and open data, not only for urban planning but also as technologies for smart city strategies adapted to the African context. Several smart city projects have emerged in Africa in recent years, but they often lack the technical and strategic expertise needed to address local realities and ensure their successful implementation. To address this need, the Center of Urban Systems (CUS) and UM6P, as part of the African Cities Lab (ACL) project by the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), have designed the "Executive Master's in Smart City Strategies in Africa."

Objectives

The objectives of this program are to:

• Train professionals capable of designing, implementing, and evaluating intelligent urban development strategies in Africa.
• Develop the skills needed to integrate information and communication technologies (ICT) into urban infrastructure management.
• Promote the adoption of sustainable and resilient practices in urban planning and management.
• Encourage collaboration among various urban sector stakeholders in Africa for a holistic approach to smart city development.

• Leveraging Digital Methods and Data Management for African Cities: Participants will gain solid expertise in emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and urban data management. They will learn to use these technologies to address challenges specific to African cities, including infrastructure management, urban mobility, and energy optimization. Mastery of these digital tools will enable them to design and implement innovative solutions for developing smarter and more sustainable cities.
• Building Capacity to Design Sustainable Development Strategies: The program will emphasize the challenges of sustainable development in African cities, particularly in the face of rapid urbanization, limited access to resources, and insufficient infrastructure. Participants will be trained to design integrated strategies that align with sustainable development goals, balancing economic growth, environmental protection, and social inclusion within the African context.

• Industrial Experience: The program includes a dedicated module focused on immersion in smart city projects across Africa (e.g., Green City of Benguerir, Ecocité of Zenata, Casa Finance City, etc.). This immersion provides participants with the opportunity to:
  • Discover best practices in urban management and explore solutions tailored to the local context.
  • Gain hands-on exposure to smart city technologies and solutions, such as data centers (e.g., UM6P’s Atlas Cloud), renewable energy initiatives (e.g., Green Energy Park), startup incubators (e.g., STARTGATE), and smart solution development hubs (e.g., Center of Urban Systems, DICE, Ecole 1337, etc.).
• Skill Enhancement: The program strengthens participants' professional competencies, enabling them to become leaders in urban planning, spatial development, and the digital transformation of cities. This skill enhancement can open opportunities in public, private, and academic sectors.

Eligibility for this Executive Master's program is open to individuals whose professional activities are related to urban planning in Africa, architecture, African cities, urban management, urban planning, or any related field. In addition to this requirement, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in both French and English and meet one of the following conditions:

• Hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) or higher (Bac+5).
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree (Bac+4) with at least 2 years of professional experience.
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree (Bac+3) with at least 4 years of professional experience.

M0: Program Introduction

• Presentation of the Master's Program / Center for Urban Systems (CUS) / African Cities Lab (ACL) – EPFL / SADV

M1: Introduction and Definition of the African Smart City

• Overview: Smart Cities in Africa and Globally – Current Status, Opportunities, and Challenges
• SDGs and Integration into Smart Cities
• Territorial Intelligence
• Smart City Stakeholders: Users, Authorities, Private Sector, etc.

M2: Urban Challenges of African Smart Cities

• Resilience and Sustainability of African Smart Cities
• Energy Transition, Renewable Energies, and Adaptation of Smart Cities
• Air Pollution Management
• Natural Risk Management

M3: Urban Technologies

• IoT for Smart Cities (African Context)
• Digital Transformation
• Cybersecurity, Video Surveillance, and E-Governance of Smart City Information Systems
• Reality Capture and 3D Modeling – Introduction to Digital Twins

M4: Urban Data, Analysis, and Applications

• Big Urban Data & Spatial Big Data for Smart Cities
• Crowdsourcing, Open Data, and Citizen Participation (Data Collection)
• Socio-Economic Data (Surveys, Interviews, etc.)
• Introduction to GIS / Modern GIS for Urban Planning
• Web-based GIS (Web GIS)
• AI Technologies and Their Integration into African Smart Cities

M5: Case Studies and Field Visits

• UM6P Ecosystem: SADV / Green City Visits / GEP / Atlas Cloud
• UM6P Ecosystem: Pedagogical Farm / 1337 / STARTGATE
• Agadir Smart City (to be confirmed)
• Other Smart City Projects in Morocco
• Casablanca: Workshop with Expert Testimonials on Smart City Success Stories

M6: Governance and Economy

• Intelligent Management of Infrastructure, Education, and Health in Smart Cities
• Intelligent Waste Management and Sanitation
• Intelligent Water and Resource Management
• Intelligent Mobility and Transport Management (ITS Integration)
• Land and Cadastre Management, Taxation, and Legislation in Smart Cities

M7: Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Comprehensive Smart City Project Design

• Entrepreneurship and Circular Economy
• Attractiveness and Marketing of Smart Cities
• Smart City Project Design and Management
• Economic and Financial Structuring (Funding Plans) for Smart Cities
• Drafting Urban Planning Documents

M8: Final Projects (Capstone)

• Introduction to Personal Work
• Drafting Reports and Final Project Documents
• Defense in Front of a Jury

M9: MOOC

• ACL Platform: Completion of a MOOC between the program start date and the final project submission deadline.

This comprehensive curriculum combines theoretical knowledge, technical skills, and practical experience, preparing participants to lead the development and management of African smart cities.

Pr. Jérôme Chenal is the Director of the Center of Urban Systems (CUS).

Dr. Jérôme Chenal is a full professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, an affiliated professor at UM6P, and the Director of the Center of Urban Systems (CUS) since its official inception in October 2020. Trained as an architect, he holds a PhD in Urban Planning. Dr. Chenal also serves as the Academic Coordinator of the Executive Master's Program.