In 2026, the HSE Institute for Transport Economics and Transport Policy Studies (ITETPS), part of the Faculty of Urban and Regional Development, celebrates its 15th anniversary. Over this period, a small team has grown into an independent unit working on transport policy, transport economics, and transport modelling, with federal and regional clients. In this interview, Mikhail Blinkin, the institute’s founder and Academic Supervisor, explains how the institute came into being, what goals and objectives it was originally set up to achieve, and why its work has gradually expanded far beyond its initial specialisation.

From July 20 to 27, 2026, the HSE Faculty of Urban and Regional Development (FURD) is hosting a summer school for students from Tianjin University dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage. Throughout the week, participants have attended lectures, practical workshops, and field visits to some of Moscow’s most iconic heritage sites. The summer school is the faculty’s first international programme of this kind and forms part of the expanding educational cooperation between Russia and China.

A development project for Novy Urengoy, prepared by the Vysokovsky Graduate School of Urbanism at the HSE Faculty of Urban and Regional Development (FURD), has beenshortlisted for the Guangzhou Award for Urban Innovation, one of the world’s leading international competitions in urban planning.

In 2026, a new Bachelor’s programme in Development and Urban Planning will be launched at HSE University’s Faculty of Urban and Regional Development. The educational programme’s key partners are the MR development company and the A101 Group of Companies.

HSE University in 2025

The HSE Faculty of Urban and Regional Development (FURD) and India’s leading research centre, the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), have agreed to strengthen their partnership comprehensively in the study and analysis of urban development across BRICS countries. In addition, students and experts from Russia and India will take part in joint academic events and research projects.

The annual Student Research Paper Competition (SRPC) offers students the chance to showcase their work, such as term papers or theses. It is a valuable opportunity to receive expert feedback and recommendations aimed at improving research, as well as to take the first steps in an academic career. Below we outline the key features and deadlines for submitting entries.

In the context of intensifying global geopolitical and technological competition, leading Chinese educational institutions—Zhejiang International Studies University and Peking University—organised an International Summer School. Their joint programme focused on studying global, regional, and urban development strategies. The HSE Faculty of Urban and Regional Development took part in this event.

The first international joint summer school of the Vysokovsky Graduate School of Urbanism (GSU) at both the HSE Faculty of Urban and Regional Development and Brest State Pushkin University (BrSU), hosted by BrSU, has come to a close. The programme focused on studying buffer zones along the railway lines encircling the city centre. Participants included students from the GSU’s Urban Planning degree programme, as well as students from BrSU and Brest State Technical University.

At the end of June, 2025, Shukhov Lab hosted the graduation ceremony for the first cohort of the online Master’s programme Digital Urban Analytics offered by HSE University. The programme trains interdisciplinary professionals—team leaders who are equally well-versed in both the analytical and managerial aspects of urban projects.

Experts from the HSE Faculty of Urban and Regional Development (FURD) took part in the international forum ‘The SCO in the Era of Digital Diplomacy: Scientific Initiatives for Global Balance.’ The event, held in Astana, was organised by the Eurasian Association for International Studies and the Institute for the Study of Regional Integration (Kazakhstan).

On March 2, an HSE Open Day for prospective undergraduates and specialist students will take place — one of the largest and most significant events for applicants, their parents, and the entire university. Visitors will have the opportunity to speak with students and representatives of educational programmes, plan their admission process, and immerse themselves in the HSE University atmosphere for a day. The event will be held in Russian.

A team from HSE University's Faculty of Urban and Regional Development took part in the Global Mayor’s Forum—a global event in urban development. Held in December 2023 in Guangzhou (PRC), the largest congress of urban planners brought together more than 800 guests from 65 cities and 37 countries, as well as nine international organisations.

An international consortium of research organisations from China, India, and Russia, including HSE University’s Faculty of Urban and Regional Development represented by experts from the Vysokovsky Graduate School of Urban Studies and Planning and the Centre for Social Research and Technological Innovation (CITY), is developing an index of technological and spatial urban development (the Urban & Innovation Environment Index). Recently, a list of the top 10 largest cities of the BRICS countries was published on the project’s website. The Russian capital took the first place in the ranking, followed by Beijing, Shanghai, Sao Paulo, and Guangzhou.

On September 1st, a new season of the open Student Research Paper Competition (SRPC) started. This competition is aimed at developing the potential of university students who are interested in academic activities. Students, as well as 2023 graduates of Russian and foreign universities, can submit their papers for the competition until October 15^th, 2023. This year SRPC turns 20 years old, throughout the competition’s history, Vadim Radaev, HSE University’s First Vice Rector, has been the chair of the organising committee. In today’s interview, he talks about the history of the competition and the key stages in its development.

Nikita Anisimov was appointed Rector of HSE University two years ago. In his interview with Ernest Mackevičius, Director of the HSE University Institute of Media, journalist, and television presenter, the HSE rector talks about how he came to the university, its achievements and development plans, and how to tell the difference between AI-produced and human texts.

More than 650 faculty members were named Best Teachers

On June 4, HSE University’s Faculty of Urban and Regional Development met with representatives of Kunshan Industrial Technology Research Institute (KSITRI, China) in the HSE University building on Pokrovsky Bulvar. The faculty management and the Chinese delegation discussed the development of project, scientific, technical and educational cooperation.

The Rediscovering Russia project invites universities, commercial and non-profit organisations to apply to organise and conduct student expeditions in 2023. Candidates can apply until June 15^th, and the winning expeditions will receive financial and organisational support.

On March 12, HSE University will hold a university-wide Open Day for prospective students of bachelor’s and specialist programmes. The event will be held in the Pokrovka Building and will feature presentations by faculties and campuses, a talk by the Admissions Office, activities from student organisations, a tour of the university’s historical buildings and much more. Those interested in attending must register in advance.