The “Transformative Cities from a European Perspective” lecture series brings together leading scholars from EPICUR partner universities to explore critical urban challenges and innovative responses shaping the future of cities. With an interdisciplinary lens, this series examines the intersections of climate change, urban planning, sustainable development, socio-ecological justice, and post-neoliberal economic models.

Spanning multiple sessions from November 2025 to February 2026, the series invites master's students, doctoral candidates, early career researchers, and urban practitioners to engage with diverse perspectives on how cities are being reimagined to respond to contemporary crises and transitions. Each lecture delves into a unique aspect of urban transformation — from adaptive climate strategies and sustainable architecture to mobility, water systems, collaborative housing, and new economic imaginaries.

Scope and Objectives

This lecture series aims to:

Foster interdisciplinary dialogue across urban studies, architecture, geography, environmental science, and political economy

Highlight pioneering research and practices from different cities across Europe

Encourage critical reflection on dominant urban development paradigms and the pursuit of inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban futures

Support cross-campus collaboration among EPICUR universities, enriching students’ understanding through transnational and comparative perspectives.

The lecture series is hosted by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany) in cooperation with other EPICUR partner universities.

Learning outcomes

Participants in this lecture series will gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles driving urban transformation, including sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity. They will explore interdisciplinary approaches, analyse case studies and evaluate strategies for addressing challenges such as mobility, climate adaptation, and digitalisation. The series fosters strategic thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and the ability to apply global insights to local contexts.

Additional information

Please note: The lecture series is targeted to Master's students, doctoral candidates, and early career researchers.

Passing requirements: Attendance & final paper

Grading: pass/fail

Registration is possible for the complete series or for individual lectures. 

Sign up here and receive the Zoom link!

The lecture series is a cooperation between the Institute of Regional Science at KIT, the KIT Graduate School Cultures of Knowledge and the European University Alliance EPICUR (European Partnership for an Innovative Campus Unifying Regions) and is hosted by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany) in cooperation with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece), the University of Strasbourg (France), the University of Freiburg (Germany), and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (Austria).