Smart Sustainable Cities

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the majority of the world population has lived in urban areas, since cities are attractive places where more and more people want to live, work and relax. Cities are increasingly becoming the ‘engine of our economy’; cities are the creative spots where you can develop yourself; and cities offer art, entertainment, and culture.

However, there are also important challenges for the cities of the future. How do we solve problems related to energy, mobility and waste in the city? How do we ensure that new innovative business will provide sufficient employment in the city? How do we ensure inclusiveness, participation and tolerance in the city? How can we solve that in a smart way, for example with the help of ICT?

These questions challenge us to develop integrated sustainable solutions for economic, social and environmental problems. The future of humankind depends to a great extent on whether we will be able to boost the sustainable development of cities.

Going abroad

During this minor you will get the unique opportunity to go abroad for a short period. You will work on one of the 'Sustainability Challenges' in the municipality of Alcoy (Spain), Turku (Finland), Manchester (UK), Bochum (Germany) or Utrecht. You will have to fund the cost for travel and accommodation.

Would you like to know more about this programme or do you have a specific question? Please contact the programme coordinator, Yvette Lanting.

The minor consists of a 15 ECTS course and a multidisciplinary 'Sustainability Challenge' (15 ECTS).

In the general course you will learn more about energy, mobility and circular economy in various workshops, and finally you'll learn how to apply relevant methods and techniques for researching, designing and advising on/about Smart Sustainable Cities. This includes, for example: building blocks for social design, business model canvas, entrepreneurial skills, co-design techniques, research skills. Excursions to best practices are also part of the programme.

During the Sustainability Challenge, you work independently in a team on behalf of a real commissioner (for example the municipality). You will explore the sustainability challenge that they are facing, you will design smart, creative and innovative solutions for this challenge and advise how this can be converted into a viable commercial proposition. You are of course also responsible for the project management. These assignments all have a multidisciplinary character. You can therefore contribute to the solution from your own discipline.

Example projects

Examples of past projects are:

•  Alcoy (Spain): How can a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions from traffic in the city of Alcoy be achieved?
• Utrecht (the Netherlands): How can we optimise zoning measures to reduce energy use at the HU buildings at the Utrecht Science Park?
• Soesterberg (the Netherlands): How can an autonomous Shuttle bus become a feasible transport option for the Soesterberg area?
• Utrecht (the Netherlands): How can the municipality of Utrecht utilise their plastic waste in the public space to add value as a circular city?
• Turku (Finland): How can the charging system of an electrified public bus network in Turku be arranged in order to contribute efficiently to the carbon neutrality goals?
• Manchester (United Kingdom): How can an effective marketing campaign to promote cycling in the Greater Manchester region be designed?

In our Course Guide you can find all relevant information about the programme in one practical document.

This multidisciplinary minor is open to all students who are interested in the development of smart sustainable cities. Your previous education is related to the themes People (inclusiveness, participation, policy), Planet (energy, mobility, circularity), Profit (business models, marketing/communication), or Smart (big data, ICT).

English CEFR level B2.

Please note: You may be asked to take a language assessment test before the start of the programme. If your English language skills are below the required level, you may not be able to enter the course, as you need to be able to actively participate in (parts of) the programme. In all cases, the programme manager makes the final decision.

The minor Smart Sustainable Cities has been developed within the ERASMUS+ project ESSENCE (European Sustainable Solutions for Existing and New City Environments) by the five partners in the CARPE network:

• TUAS (Turku, Finland),
• UPV (Valencia, Spain),
• MMU (Manchester, United Kingdom),
• HAW (Hamburg, Germany), and
• HU (Utrecht, the Netherlands).

Check www.essence.hu.nl for more information.