UNICA universities, as intrinsically urban capital universities, are partners in addressing global urban challenges. Universities cannot act alone and partnerships are needed with public & private stakeholders on all levels: from European to local.
"Cities are today the living labs for systemic transformation" (Kurt Vandenberghe): Are research policies at universities tackling the urban challenges? Which changes and partnerships are needed to address their increasing complexity? How to shape metropolitan/urban research universities? And which role can a network of capital-based universities as UNICA play in supporting research in - for - with the cities?
These are the main issues debated at the Seminar under different angles, but all the contributions highlighted that "finding solutions to these challenges is an essential democratic exercise for our societies, and that universities should play an important role in this process" (Serge Jaumain).
The role of JRC in Urban Research by CHARLINA VITCHEVA, Deputy Director-General, Joint Research Centre
Role of cities in Urban Research by CAROLINE NEVEJAN, Chief Science Officer, City of Amsterdam & Professor of Designing Urban Experience, University of Amsterdam
The role of Universities in addressing urban challenges by CAROLINE PAUWELS, Rector, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
The European Urban Initiative by MAREK TEPLANSKY, Acting Head of Unit Inclusive Growth, Urban and Territorial Development, DG REGIO
Brussels Studies Institute & Knowledge for Brussels by JOOST VAESEN, Brussels Studies Institute (BSI)
The challenge: link between civil society & academic knowledge by BENJAMIN WAYENS, Université Libre de Bruxelles
University - City cooperation: a Warsaw Experience by KATARZYNA WOJNAR, University of Warsaw
The City region DEAL by MICHAEL ROVATSOS, University of Edinburgh
Any questions? Don't hesitate to contact Aurelie Duchateau: aurelie.duchateau@unica-network.eu