Description
The EcoCity project aims at the development of an innovative curriculum for the purpose of launching Bachelor degree EcoCity studies, which will meet the expectations of the "smart city" concept and the National Urban Policy. The main output of the project will be a module-based curriculum using the techniques of blended learning and complementary teaching materials - 3 publications that help deepen knowledge on how to shape sustainable urban development. We want to attain these results using interdisciplinary and specialist knowledge of experts and practitioners. We also plan to identify the best practices among our partners abroad. Further stage of the project provides for the launching of new course in cooperation with domestic and foreign partners (selected thematic modules, professional internships, field workshops). Additional benefits will include formal conclusion of domestic and foreign partnerships necessary to launch the course.
Summary of project results
Nowadays cities play a major role in socio-economic development, thus making them more sustainable, smart and open for citizens remains a significant challenge. Therefore, universities must meet this challenge through education of professionals that are able to integrate complex social, economic, environmental and spatial dimensions of urban development. Meeting the challenge of education of professionals in integrated urban development led us to delivery of the following results: 1) Innovative and modular curriculum for "EcoCity" studies; 2) Handbooks on sustainable, smart and participative urban development available both in print and online versions; 3) Syllabuses of selected curses; 4) Recommendations by institutional milieu on teaching processes; 5) Catalogues of professional competences in urban development; 6) Multimedia presentations. The most important project achievements are the following ones: A) Establishment of new studies "EcoCity" at University of Lodz; B) Organisation of workshops for school pupils (206 participants in 6 schools); C) Tests of 5 university courses (397 students-participants); D) Organisation of nationwide scientific conference (131 participants from 25 institutions; E) 4 academic handbooks. All these initiatives made a contribution in the growth of awareness and knowledge about sustainable, smart and participative urban development.
Summary of bilateral results