Cities, Spaces, and Mobilities: Collaborative Approaches to Global Challenges

The Cities, Spaces, and Mobilities: Collaborative Approaches to Global Challenges BIP aims to create a permanent framework for doctoral training, where universities within Hub 4 take turns organizing and designing sessions.

These sessions address key topics essential to the field, including advanced research methodologies, case study analysis, exchange of practical experiences, exploration of emerging issues, and the discussion of shared challenges. The BIP emphasizes:

• developing practical and theoretical skills for addressing urban challenges;
• encouraging collaboration among doctoral students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines;
• strengthening links between academic research and societal needs.

The course is rooted in the thematic priorities of Hub 4, focusing on cities, spaces, and mobilities, and it aims to align with CIVIS’ broader goals of sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation. The seminar is built on the active participation of member universities, enabling the incorporation of diverse perspectives and addressing specific concerns related to doctoral education in this domain.

The programme equips participants to address pressing challenges such as: 

• Climate and environmental issues for cities: training students to develop  sustainable solutions like green infrastructure and low-carbon mobility systems;
• Social and employment challenges: promoting approaches to reduce urban inequalities and enhance social cohesion;
• Resilient and sustainable urban economies: exploring strategies that balance sustainability with economic growth, particularly focusing on responsible tourism as a driver of development;
• Historical, landscape, and architectural urban issues: highlighting the importance of urban heritage, cultural tourism, and sustainable landscape management;
• Urban governance: strengthening competencies in participatory policymaking and sustainable urban planning;
• Other challenges related to Hub4 - Cities, Spaces, and Mobilities.

The BIP aims to provide participants with a set of knowledge, skills, and competencies that align with the main and secondary themes of Hub 4: Cities, Spaces, Mobilities.

Key learning outcomes include:

• advanced knowledge: understanding methodologies and concepts related to climate-resilient cities, urban governance, spatial transformations, sustainable mobility, etc.
• analytical skills: developing the ability to analyze complex urban systems, evaluate policy impacts, and assess social and environmental dynamics;
• practical competencies: gaining hands-on experience through fieldwork, site visits, and collaborative projects that link theory to practice;
• interdisciplinary collaboration: working effectively in diverse teams to address multifaceted urban and spatial challenges;
• communication skills: enhancing abilities to present research findings, engage in debates, and propose solutions to academics, practitioners, and policymakers.

This Blended Intensive Programme is based on the organisation of an international workshop hosted at the Université libre de Bruxelles from 23-27.03.2026. This workshop will gather academics, students, and practitioners from CIVIS partners, their territories and the international academic community. 

This project is based on educational and research objectives:

• 2 days of training on posters and presentations;
• 1 day of fieldwork - on-site visits for MA and PhD Students (visit to various projects) in order to improve the empirical knowledge of students;
• 1,5 days of international workshop including poster session for MA & PhD students, and scientific panels.

The second part of the programme is held in a physical setting, where students:

•  engage directly with leading experts in their fields;
•  present their research findings to peers and mentors;
•  participate in interactive debates and reflection sessions designed to foster critical thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration.

This hands-on component emphasizes active participation and enables students to connect theoretical knowledge with practical applications. It also provides opportunities to form professional networks and collaborate on shared challenges.

The virtual component of the course will be held between 12 January - 20 March 2026.

Each member university of Hub 4 organizes a virtual session tailored to its area of expertise. These sessions introduce participants to key themes and methodologies providing foundational knowledge. The virtual component ensures accessibility and lays the groundwork for deeper engagement during the in-person sessions.

There will be two main assessment methods in the BIP:

1. Virtual component: submission and approval of assignments. For each webinar, students will be required to complete a task, such as summarizing the webinar, answering open questions, or completing a questionnaire. 
2. Physical component: creation and presentation of a poster based on the research of the students related to urban mobilities, sustainable development, or urban governance, etc., applying the knowledge gained from the virtual component. Collective feedback will be provided by both professors and students during the workshop.

Motivation Letter

CV

Students should be working or showing a willingness to work on a study about cities, spaces, and/ or mobilities at Master or PhD level.

• Dimitris Gouscos (NKUA) 
  
• Alessandra Battisti (SUR)
• Carmen Hidalgo (UÁM)
• Benjamin Wayens (ULB)
• Cristian Ioja (UB)
• Ross Beveridge (UofG)