In fulfillment of its vision, the Department shall seek to;

1. Promote diversity in urban planning education using practically-oriented, problem-solving, interactive research, teaching and learning methodologies and outreach programmes
2. Train holistic middle-level and/or urban planners grounded in theory and practice, equipped with relevant tools and techniques and with the requisite attitude to facilitate urban planning as a necessary input in the integrated urban transformation process
3. Guarantee continuous relevance of the programmes to the national development agenda through periodic review of curricular as well as teaching and learning processes and development of new programmes to meet the changing needs of Northern Ghana in particular and beyond
4. Ensure and forge collaborations and networks with planning and development-oriented organisations and institutions in and outside of Ghana for the mutual benefit of the organisations and institutions involved and for the advancement of planning education and research in general for a transformed local, national and global development

The Department will be guided by the following core values:

• Excellence: DUDIS is committed to creating quality teaching and learning environment through continuous improvement of service delivery to meet clients’ needs
• Professionalism: DUDIS focuses on developing the skill sets of its staff and students expected from contemporary urban planners
• Innovation: The Department is committed to finding solutions to urban problems using improved and new approaches/tools of urban planning
• Creativity with integrity: The Department is committed to training urban planners who would be imbued with the values of fairness, honesty and morality as well as ingenuity
• Cooperation: DUDIS endeavours to interact and work together with identifiable organisations, groups and individuals whose knowledge, skills, strength or resources are needed for the attainment of collective goals
• Inclusion: The Department believes in providing equal access to opportunities, irrespective of gender, age, colour, religion, ethnicity or economic status

Admission into the programmes of the Department is open to a broad group of applicants: direct entry applicants, matured applicants, foreign applicants, and HND/Diploma applicants (particularly the BSc programme).

Diploma Programme (Direct Entry Applicants)

Bachelor of Science Programme (Direct Entry Applicants)

Three (3) categories of applicants are considered within the direct entry applicants:
a) Category 1: SSCE/WASSCE applicants must obtain passes in three (3) core subjects (A-D/A1-C6) at the Senior Secondary/Senior High School level. In addition, all applicants from General Arts background must pass at least three (3) of the following elective subjects – Geography, Economics, Government, or History, elective Mathematics and ICT
b) Category 2: SSCE/WASSCE applicants must obtain passes in three (3) core subjects (A-D/A1-C6) at the Senior Secondary/Senior High School level. In addition, all applicants from Technical background must pass at least three (3) of the following elective subjects – Technical Drawing, Building Construction, and Carpentry and Joinery, or Elective Mathematics and ICT
c) Category 3: SSCE/WASSCE must obtain passes in three (3) core subjects (A-D/A1-C6) at the Senior Secondary/Senior High School level. In addition, all applicants from Visual Arts background must pass at least three (3) of the following Elective subjects – Graphic Design, Painting, Pottery, or Elective Mathematics and ICT

Mature Applicants

Mature applicants must have attained at least 25 years of age at the time of the application. Candidates must also be prepared to sit for a written and oral entrance examination to be conducted by the University. Relevant working experience in the field of planning will be an added advantage to prospective applicants. Applicants must come from the following main groups of disciples opened to the programme:

1. General Arts – geography, economics, government/history, elective mathematics; Technical – technical drawing, elective mathematics, building construction, carpentry and joinery; Visual arts – graphic design, general knowledge in art, painting, ceramics/sculpture; and Business – business management, accounting, costing and business mathematics.
2. General arts – geography, economics, government/history, elective mathematics; Technical – technical drawing, elective mathematics, building construction, carpentry and joinery; and Visual arts – graphic design, painting, pottery/sculpture

International Applicants

Prospective international students and Ghanaian applicants with foreign certificates applying for admission into the Diploma or BSc programmes are expected to have the Ghanaian SSCE/WASSCE qualifications or their equivalence from accredited/recognised institutions abroad.

Diploma/HND Applicants

Applicants with Diploma and HND in a relevant field with at least a Second Class Upper or its equivalent can apply for a placement at level 200. In addition, graduates of the Diploma in Integrated Urban Planning programme who graduate with at least a Second Class Upper can apply for a placement at level 200 to pursue a degree programme in Urban Design and Planning, all in the Department of Urban Design and Infrastructure Studies

• Metropolitan, Municipal District Assemblies (MMDAs),
• Local Government Service,
• Departments of Local Government,
• Regional Coordinating Council (RCC),
• Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs),
• Real Estate Agencies and Architectural firms,
• the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority at regional levels,
• Physical Planning Department,
• Academic institutions and research institutes,
• Community-based/development-based organisations,
• Private consultancy firms in urban planning and design,
• International, national and regional NGOs and financial institutions (including those requiring middle-level human resources), etc.

Staff