Master’s in Waterfront and Port-City Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in waterfront and port-city engineering. 12 modules covering coastal and river dynamics, maritime works, coastal law, waterfront planning, public space design and climate adaptation, applying the Spanish Coastal Law, the Water Framework Directive and MIKE 21, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Analyse the evolution and regeneration models of waterfronts.
Apply knowledge of coastal and river dynamics to urban design.
Interpret the legal framework of the coast and the port domain.
Plan the transformation of urban port waterfronts.
Design resilient waterside public spaces.
Integrate coastal climate change adaptation strategies.
Manage the coexistence between port activity and the city.
Who it's for
- Waterfront planners working on the transformation of port and river edges.
- Coastal and maritime works engineers moving into urban waterfront projects.
- Port-city urban planners balancing port operations with city life.
- Coastal climate adaptation consultants.
- Port authority technical staff.
- Urban regeneration project managers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the port sector.
What you'll work with
- Law 22/1988 on Coasts (amended by Law 2/2013) (Spanish Coastal Law)
- Royal Decree 876/2014 (General Coastal Regulations)
- Royal Legislative Decree 2/2011 (State Ports and Merchant Navy Law)
- Directive 2000/60/EC (Water Framework Directive)
- Maritime Works Recommendations ROM 1.1-18
- Directive 2007/60/EC (floods)
- Directive 2014/89/EU (maritime spatial planning)
- UNE-EN 206 (concrete, marine exposure classes)
- MIKE 21
- QGIS
- Autodesk Civil 3D
- SketchUp
- SMC (Coastal Modelling System)
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Evolution of maritime and river waterfronts1.2Port deindustrialisation and urban voids1.3The Baltimore, Barcelona and Bilbao models1.4River and lake waterfronts1.5Landscape and social value of water1.6AIVP principles for port-city relations1.7Risks of coastal gentrification1.8Success indicators1.9Critiques of regeneration models1.10Case study: comparative analysis of two waterfronts
2.1Waves, tides and currents2.2Sediment transport2.3Coastal erosion and retreat2.4River dynamics and floods2.5Sea level and climate change2.6Wave overtopping2.7Numerical coastal modelling2.8Oceanographic data and buoys2.9IPCC climate scenarios2.10Lab: overtopping calculation for a seafront promenade
3.1Breakwaters and quays3.2Rock armour and revetments3.3Seafront promenades and walls3.4Pontoons and floating structures3.5Materials in the marine environment3.6Durability of concrete in the marine environment3.7Dredging and reclamation3.8Spanish Maritime Works Recommendations (ROM)3.9Inspection and maintenance3.10Practical exercise: preliminary design of a rock armour revetment
4.1The Coastal Law and its regulations4.2Maritime-terrestrial public domain4.3Protection and transit easements4.4The State Ports Law4.5Delimitation of urban port spaces4.6Release of port land from public use4.7Concessions and authorisations4.8Public water domain in rivers4.9Coordination between coastal authorities4.10Case study: permitting a project in the public domain
5.1Port special plans5.2Land-use programme5.3Mixing residential and tertiary uses5.4Cultural and sports facilities5.5Mobility and connection with the city5.6Public space and routes5.7Phases and scenarios5.8Real-estate viability of the plan5.9Public participation in the waterfront5.10Workshop: master plan for a port waterfront
6.1Seafront and riverside promenades6.2Urban beaches and regeneration6.3Quays as squares6.4Access to the water and steps6.5Halophytic and resistant vegetation6.6Street furniture in saline environments6.7Lighting and night-time safety6.8Universal accessibility to the waterfront6.9Events and temporary uses6.10Practical exercise: design of a waterside promenade
7.1Sea-level rise scenarios7.2Strategies: protect, accommodate and retreat7.3Green dikes and hybrid solutions7.4Multifunctional floodable spaces7.5Resilient buildings on waterfronts7.6Coastal urban drainage7.7Coastal adaptation plans7.8Insurance and risk management7.9The experiences of Rotterdam and New York7.10Case study: adaptation strategy for an urban waterfront
8.1Coastal and estuarine ecosystems8.2Restoration of salt marshes and riverbanks8.3Port water quality8.4The Water Framework Directive8.5Management of contaminated sediments8.6Biodiversity on artificial structures8.7Port noise and air quality8.8Waste management8.9Environmental assessment of projects8.10Lab: water quality assessment of a harbour basin
9.1Port operations and urban uses9.2Cruise and ferry terminals9.3Port security and permeability9.4Noise and vibration from port activity9.5Logistics and heavy traffic9.6Shore power at quays9.7Fishing and traditional activities9.8Recreational boating9.9Conflict management9.10Workshop: coexistence plan between a cruise terminal and a neighbourhood
10.1Nautical and coastal tourism10.2Ship repair industry10.3Innovation and the blue economy10.4Fishing and aquaculture10.5Marine energy in ports10.6Scientific facilities and aquariums10.7Retail and food service10.8Local employment in port activities10.9Maritime clusters and innovation10.10Case study: blue economy strategy for a port city
11.1Waterfront management companies11.2Collaboration between port and city council11.3Infrastructure funding11.4Land value capture11.5European funds for coastal regeneration11.6Maintenance of coastal space11.7Monitoring indicators11.8Urban marketing of the waterfront11.9Participatory governance of the space11.10Practical exercise: management model for a renewed port waterfront
12.1Selection of the waterfront12.2Physical and functional diagnosis12.3Climate risk analysis12.4Spatial planning proposal12.5Public space design12.6Adaptation and environmental measures12.7Management and viability12.8Conclusions and future lines of work12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it is compatible with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MIKE 21, QGIS, Autodesk Civil 3D, SketchUp and SMC (Coastal Modelling System), in free, academic or evaluation versions. You work on real procedures for overtopping and coastal risk analysis, waterside public space design and port-city land-use compatibility studies. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Law 22/1988 on Coasts (amended by Law 2/2013); Royal Decree 876/2014; Royal Legislative Decree 2/2011; Directive 2000/60/EC; Maritime Works Recommendations ROM 1.1-18; Directive 2007/60/EC; Directive 2014/89/EU; UNE-EN 206.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with MIKE 21, QGIS, Autodesk Civil 3D, SketchUp and SMC (Coastal Modelling System), using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent professional experience, plus a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
Related programmes
Master’s in Urban Mobility Engineering, ITS & V2X
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in urban mobility, ITS and V2X engineering, structured in 12 modules covering ITS systems, demand modelling, V2X communications, connected vehicles,…
Master’s in Infrastructure Project Management Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in infrastructure project management engineering. 12 modules covering project management frameworks, feasibility and strategic planning, scope, schedule, cost control, risk,…
Master’s in Wind Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in wind engineering: 12 modules covering wind meteorology, extreme wind statistics, bluff-body aerodynamics, wind actions under EN 1991-1-4 and CTE…
More in Civil, Rail & Smart Cities
All Civil, Rail & Smart Cities programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships