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IHS's approach is based on the cross-fertilization of our main three activities: education, advisory services, and applied research. By being involved in different core activities simultaneously, IHS urban specialists can create strong links between theory and practice. IHS staff members spend a substantial amount of time working in the field, and they possess relevant expertise within the context of different countries they have worked in. This way, they provide support, training, and relevant services for course participants and clients. Inputs drawn from the advisory and research activities are also reflected in the classroom, where course participants benefit from the lecturers' rich knowledge and professional background. The Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS) is an education, advisory, and research institute of Erasmus University Rotterdam. For 60 years, it has been our mission to develop human and institutional capacities, reduce poverty, and improve cities' quality of life. Looking at cities from different perspectives, we educate urban professionals with diverse backgrounds, consult national and local governments from the Global South, and engage in cutting-edge urban research. Bringing practical experience from real-life projects back to the classroom, we inspire collaboration and co-creation of urban knowledge. Together with our partners, we work at the forefront of urban development to improve people living in cities. IHS is about making cities work. IHS' approach to the problems faced in reducing poverty and improving the quality of life in cities is based on the cross-fertilization of three activities: education, advisory services, and applied research. IHS strongly believes in linking theory and practice: staff members spend a substantial amount of time working in the field, possessing relevant expertise within the context of different countries they have worked in, and thus providing support, training, and services that are relevant for course participants and clients. Our alumni network includes over 9000 active urban experts worldwide, ranging from architects, social scientists, economists to public administration workers, civil servants, and government officials. View full university