Each student’s experience in the Master’s in Urban Management and Development at IHS is different. As they navigate through the programme, they encounter new ideas, challenges, and perspectives that help shape their understanding of urban issues. In this student reflection, Diona shares her experiences at IHS so far, reflecting on the Urban Data Analytics 1 and her thoughts on studying in Rotterdam.
Meet Diona
Diona Shen is currently pursuing her second master’s degree, building on her interdisciplinary academic and professional background. With three years of experience working in a Chinese think tank, she has developed an interest for urban studies, particularly on how vulnerable groups experience urban development. Diona’s curiosity about urban justice issue originates from her own upbringing in Hangzhou, a city rapidly transformed by the growth of the internet and e-commerce industries. She discovered IHS while searching for a programme that blends practical and theoretical knowledge, finding it the perfect fit for her aspirations.
Introducing quantitative data analytics
The first module of Urban Data Analytics introduces students to quantitative data analysis, an important skill for urban planners and managers. With the increasing availability of diverse data on urban areas, students learn to prepare, visualise, and analyse this data to derive meaningful insights for policy decisions.
Dr Paula Nagler, programme coordinator explains, "For many students pursuing careers in policy-related environments, this knowledge is essential. Even if they aren’t working directly with data, they will often need to understand the findings of quantitative studies to support evidence-based policymaking."
A beginner friendly approach
The quantitative data analytics course is designed with inclusivity in mind, for students from all academic backgrounds. Starting from fundamental concepts, no in-depth understanding or prior experience of data analytics is required. However, a basic understanding of high school calculus is expected. Diona, who had a more qualitative background, explains that the course allowed her to explore the ‘power of data’ in uncovering social phenomena and in the identification of trends.
The course starts with descriptive statistics and data visualisation before moving on to simple and multiple regressions. After mastering these concepts, students explore how their skills can be applied to real-world policy decisions. To accommodate all students, the course utilised user-friendly and accessible Stata software. For those interested in further exploring data analysis, there is the option to transition to open-source alternatives such as R.
All of the instructors and tutors were extremely supportive. They understood that some of us were beginners, so they were very patient with us. They made sure to explain things step-by-step, which made a big difference.
Diona Shen
Course structure and assessments
The course offered a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, workshops, and group assignments. During the workshops, students used a World Bank dataset on firm performance in Bangladesh’s major cities, which helped them resolve various research questions. Diona reflects fondly on the use of real-world examples during the course, as it made the learning experience more meaningful. She explains how the policy implications and recommendations were grounded in a real social context, increasing their relevancy and impact.
The group assignment of this year's cohort used scraped data of property prices in various Dutch cities. Students had the opportunity to explore how factors such as property size, number of rooms, or energy labels explain price variations. The workshops were a great practice for the group assignment and covered in detail how the students could tackle it
Life in Rotterdam
The international atmosphere at IHS, along with the broader inclusivity in the Netherlands, made her transition to studying here smooth. Diona notes that the Netherlands offers a welcoming environment for people from various backgrounds, which enhances her experience living there. Rotterdam's central location further adds to its appeal, making it convenient to travel to other Dutch cities like The Hague or Amsterdam, giving Diona the opportunity to explore all that the country has to offer.
