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Taught by experts from five IDEA League universities, this course emphasizes transdisciplinary collaboration for sustainable urban and regional transformation.
After a course session ends, it will be archived.
This online course offers foundational theories and practical examples to understand the transdisciplinary principles behind creating environmentally friendly, resilient, and liveable cities and regions. Emphasizing the importance of collaboration across diverse fields, the course explores the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address the complex challenges of building sustainable futures. Themes include urban planning and design, mobility, energy, governance and community engagement, technological innovation, and management studies. Led by experts from five prestigious IDEA League universities – RWTH Aachen University (RWTH), Delft University of Technology (TUDelft), Chalmers University of Technology (Chalmers), Politecnico di Milano (Polimi), and ETH Zurich – this course equips participants with the basic knowledge needed to drive positive urban and regional changes, considering spatial, environmental, social, and economic factors. Participants in the verified track must complete specific assignments to earn a certificate. This course is developed by the Chair and Institute for Urban Design and European Urbanism at RWTH Aachen University, under the leadership of Prof. Christa Reicher and coordinated by Dr. Ceren Sezer
This course is open to all and does not require specific prerequisites. It is suitable for Students, academics, practitioners and policymakers who wish to gain foundational knowledge on sustainable urban and regional transformation processes from a transdisciplinary perspective.
M1: Introduction
13 January 2025
Introduction to the course, pathways to sustainable and resilient urban development, preparing for urban transformation towards 2050.
M2: Concepts for Future Cities and Regions
20 January 2025
Spatial Strategy for the Rhenish Coal-Mining Region, Eco-city concepts, the idea of The Just City.
M3: Mobility
27 January 2025
Fundamentals of travel mode characteristics and sustainable mobility strategies.
M4: Energy
3 February 2025
Energy transformation, the evolving grid, automation, and power forecasting.
M5: Circularity
10 February 2025
Theory and concepts in circularity, tools for implementation, circular buildings, neighborhoods, and cities.
M6: Governance
17 February 2025
Governance's role in planning, types of governance for contemporary urban challenges, grassroots initiatives.
M7: Digitalisation
24 February 2025
Big data in urban design, digital twin systems, digital twins as planning tools.
M8: Modes of Transition
3 March 2025
Business model innovation, sustainable transitions, individual perspectives on sustainable change.
Research Group Leader – Community Collaboration Laboratory for Sustainable Campus Development • RWTH Aachen University
Head of Chair of Urban Design and Institute for Urban Design and European Urbanism • RWTH Aachen University
Professor of Climate Design & Sustainability • TU Delft