All Things Urban

This digital summer school approaches the sustainable city from a profoundly interdisciplinary perspective - bridging natural sciences, urban technology and social sciences and humanities. It examines the relationship between the introduction of new types of analysis and new technologies, on the one hand, and social, economic and political dynamics, on the other.

This digital summer school takes place from 22 August - 29 August 2022 and is preceded by a preparatory module from 15 - 19 August, during which primary insights will be given so participants can duly prepare for the course.

This digital summer school aims to address the sustainable city from an interdisciplinary perspective. We assess how we can transform contemporary cities towards more sustainability. The focus is on only technology-driven innovation, socioeconomic and political issues, spatial planning and social justice. All this is moreover put in historical perspective.

In concrete terms, we focus on specific environmental issues such as water and air quality, mobility, the urban metabolism and resilience, and address them in interdisciplinary seminars in which specific types of new technology are discussed in the presence of sociologists, planners, economists, historians, and practitioners.

The summer school's aim is for participants to interact with each other and engage with speakers from academic and professional backgrounds. There will be a variety of lectures and discussion sessions, which are designed in a way that everyone gets involved.

Sociologists, planners, economists, historians, and practitioners.

Online learning environment

The digital summer school will be hosted via Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, the collaborative online learning platform of the University of Antwerp. Participants need to have a stable internet connection, a headset, a computer and a webcam (Google Chrome Browser is highly recommended). The summer school offers a variety of teaching methods. Most sessions will be held “live” between 1.00 and 5.30 p.m. in the CEST time zone (UCT +2) (you can find the time schedule here). Some theoretical or introductory sessions may be recorded and shared beforehand.

For the digital edition of the summer school, the fee includes all online lectures, tutoring and interactive workshops, course material and virtual social activities. Technical set-up (stable internet connection, headset, computer and webcam) has to be provided by the participant.

The Urban Studies Institute is a platform and laboratory for the development of interdisciplinary research and education on cities, urban development and urban challenges. The Institute also functions as a contact point and interface for exchanges with non-academic players, such as policy-makers and people from civil society, and for services related to urban development and policy.