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The Norman Foster Institute (NFI) announces the three pilot cities with which the scholars enrolled in its Programme on Sustainable Cities will be working during the academic year.
Through the development, testing and simulation of local action plans, scholars will propose and implement urban interventions that will improve the quality of life in three European cities: Athens, San Marino and Bilbao.
In a unique blended learning approach, scholars will work closely with city administrators to understand the challenges and opportunities for change in each territory.
Athens, a Mediterranean capital with a rich historical heritage and international significance, offers an expansive scope for study. Scholars will explore the complexities of urban development within a dense sprawling context, gaining valuable insights into sustainable strategies at the neighbourhood level that can be applied on a global scale.
Bilbao, a medium-sized city, presents a distinctive context for analysis. The fieldwork will allow scholars to delve into the transformation of post-industrial landscapes and explore the integration of sustainability principles with cultural revitalisation.
San Marino, an enclaved microstate, offers a unique context comprised of conurbations. Scholars will have the opportunity to conduct in-depth analyses within a smaller scope, focusing on strategies for sustainable development in a close-knit community.
In this first edition of the course, the cities will be European, although the methodical approach will be adaptable to cities worldwide, as well as informal settlements and suburbia. For study purposes, the scope of the investigation will focus on selected neighbourhoods. Recognising the profound influence of the learning environment, the NFI places great importance on the role of host cities in shaping the educational experience. By immersing scholars in these urban settings, the Programme on Sustainable Cities will allow scholars to acquire comprehensive knowledge that goes beyond the classroom.
Through the NFI’s collaboration agreement with city leaders, scholars will gain valuable exposure to real-world urban challenges and the opportunity to actively contribute to the exploration and enhancement of the built environment. Scholars will foster a deep understanding of the sustainable development of cities. Examples of potential topics that scholars will analyse include the use and quality of private and public spaces, the enhancement of pedestrian activity and the impact of motor vehicles, access to public transportation, health concerns such as air quality and overheating, affordability and access to daily amenities.
During the course, scholars will work in the NFI Lab to continuously develop data models for the pilot cities, mapping the critical layers of transformation and allowing them to question the digital twins of the cities. The software of the lab will be continuously growing alongside the work of the institute, serving as a toolkit for sustainable cities’ interventions.
The lessons from these real-life experiences, along with the use of the NFI Lab’s evidence-based tools and the incorporation of sustainable metrics, will allow scholars to address a number of objectives defined by the host city. Through this collaboration in the form of a live consultancy, scholars will be advised along the way by the faculty, leading to a presentation of their proposals to the city administration at the end of the course.
The Norman Foster Institute is accepting applications for its first academic Programme on Sustainable Cities, starting in Madrid in January 2024.
To further foster diversity within its programme, the NFI awards partial and full scholarships to talented applicants in need of financial support, based on merit, distinctive competencies, background and/or academic excellence.
You can start your application here.
Norman Foster Institute
The Norman Foster Institute (NFI) is an initiative of the Norman Foster Foundation (NFF) addressed to those who wish, through practice or education, to improve the quality of life in cities worldwide. The creation of the NFI follows from the success of the NFF’s programme of workshops, bringing together experts from academia, practice and consulting to engage with top graduates from around the world. The NFI is aimed at unconventional thinkers seeking a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to the most pressing issues affecting our urban landscapes today.
Visit normanfosterinstitute.org for more information.
