The course explores the use of drones for data collection, analysis, and monitoring in environmental sciences and urban planning, emphasising their role in mapping, resource management, and sustainable development.

The physical mobility section of the BIP will take place between 1-5 June 2026, in Sinaia, Romania. The five-day intensive learning experience focuses on practical exercises, applications, and discussions.

The teaching staff will provide input and lead smaller working groups dedicated to deepening learning experiences. These include:

• drawing lessons from interdisciplinary theoretical approaches and problematizing them in terms of practicability (case studies about using drones);
• building micro-projects related to using drones for different case studies;
• experimenting with drones in urban planning and management (air pollution, urban biodiversity, land use and land cover, urban climate);
• meet stakeholders from local governments, NGOs, private companies, administrations, and citizens, and learn about their interests, needs, and recommendations for urban planning and management;
• participating in excursions to analyse the challenges related to using drones.

The online part of the course will start in February 2026:

• February 2025: Course 1 – Introduction to drones as Robotics and Automatic System
• March 2025: Course 2 – Legislation and rules related to drones
• April 2025: Course 3 – Drones’ data collection and processing
• June 2025: Course 4 – Challenges of using drones for environmental science.