Zeynep Iqbal
Student spotlight details
After working as an architect with a focus on heritage-sensitive and community-oriented projects, Zeynep pursued the MSc in Sustainable Urban Development to gain a broader, interdisciplinary understanding of the social, environmental and institutional forces shaping contemporary cities.
'Before enrolling on the MSc in Sustainable Urban Development, I was working as an architect in a London-based design studio. My work focused on heritage-sensitive projects, community-oriented programmes, and adaptive reuse, alongside residential developments in and around London.
'My background is in architecture and traditional arts, and as my work shifted more towards cultural heritage, I realised I needed a broader understanding of how cities function and develop. The MSc offered a way to engage critically with the social, environmental and institutional challenges shaping contemporary cities. The part-time structure was also valuable, as it allowed me to keep working while developing this broader perspective.
'The main challenge was balancing professional work alongside academic study. The MSc requires sustained engagement with reading, interdisciplinary discussions and critical debate across multiple fields, which demands both intellectual proactivity and careful time management.
'The most rewarding aspect was the intellectual environment created by the programme. Engaging with a diverse cohort of professionals from different geographical and disciplinary backgrounds enriched discussions around contemporary urban challenges.
'My work is increasingly moving away from conventional architectural practice towards cultural heritage and urban development. Most recently, I curated an international conference in Qatar, bringing together discussions on policy, education and economic frameworks that link traditional knowledge with sustainable urbanism.
'I would strongly recommend the course to anyone looking for a critical and interdisciplinary understanding of urban challenges. The MSc provides a way to situate professional work within wider sustainability and urban development debates, while also opening doors to new ideas and collaborations.'
