NCU News
Social sciences
On the Cities of the Future
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń hosted an international academic conference entitled “City of the Future – Visions and Strategies for Sustainable Development", which took place on 17–18 September as part of the “YUFE CONNECTS – Nicolaus Copernicus University's European Platform for Academic Cooperation" project.
The conference 'City of the Future – Visions and Strategies for Sustainable Development' served as a conclusion to the YUFE CONNECTS project, the aim of which was to develop and strengthen our university's international cooperation with foreign institutions affiliated with the YUFE alliance. The meeting in Toruń provided an opportunity for researchers and representatives of partner universities to exchange experiences, form new teams and plan joint research and teaching projects. The event was held under the patronage of His Magnificence the Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University, prof. dr habil. Andrzej Tretyn.
A particularly important example of the educational cooperation developed within the framework of YUFE is Urban Sustainability Studies – a joint international degree programme dedicated to the issues of sustainable urban development. The programme is delivered through collaboration between YUFE's partner universities, combining their teaching expertise, academic experience and diverse research perspectives on contemporary urban challenges. The 'City of the Future' conference provided a platform for further strengthening this cooperation, exchanging experiences between partners and developing further joint activities in the areas of education, research and academic mobility.
The conference programme focused on issues of particular importance for the future of European cities: sustainable and smart development, the resilience of cities and regions, urban biodiversity, ecosystem services, urban green spaces, mobility, urban regeneration and residents' quality of life. The concept of the 'Caring City' – a city that cares for its residents and responds to their needs in the context of the current multi-crisis – was also introduced into the discussion.
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At the same time, the conference had a very strong focus on networking and project work. The discussions centred not only on identifying the problems facing modern cities, but also on how the collaboration initiated and developed through the YUFE CONNECTS project might be continued after its completion. A key element of the two-day event was the use of Toruń as a 'Living Lab'. During the Living Lab Session – Urban Walk / Field Exploration, participants ventured beyond the traditional conference venue to analyse specific phenomena and processes directly within the urban environment. Toruń thus became a place where scientific concepts were tested against the real-world challenges of urban development.
Representatives from YUFE partner universities and academics from other international academic institutions accepted the invitation to Toruń. World-class researchers – Prof. Etienne Nel from the University of Otago in New Zealand and Prof. Nicholas Wise from Arizona State University in the United States – also shared their knowledge and experience with the participants. Their presence in Toruń reinforced the international dimension of the event and engaged Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń and the region in a global debate on the future of cities and the most pressing contemporary social, environmental and spatial challenges. The event culminated in a panel discussion entitled 'From Vision to Implementation: Future Steps in Networked Collaboration', dedicated to translating shared experiences into new projects, research and teaching initiatives, and lasting partnerships between universities.
The international academic conference 'City of the Future – Visions and Strategies for Sustainable Development' was organised as part of the project YUFE CONNECTS – European Platform for Academic Cooperation at Nicolaus Copernicus University, implemented under the NAWA programme 'Support for European Universities'. The YUFE CONNECTS project is coordinated by the Vice-Rector for International Relations dr habil. Magdalena Barwiołek, NCU Prof., dr habil. Jadwiga Biegańska, NCU Prof., dr habil. Elżbieta Grzelak-Kostulska, NCU Prof., dr habil. Stefania Środa-Murawska, NCU Prof. from the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management and prof. dr habil. Maria Lewicka from the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences.
The photographs in the gallery were taken by: Elżbieta Grzelak-Kostulska, Michał Kwiatkowski, Stefania Środa-Murawska and Eryk Szulc.
