BIP: The Resilience X-factor of a City

In our increasingly complex world, cities need to adapt and bounce back stronger. Interested in how cities can thrive despite challenges? The Summer Institute 2025, “The Resilience X-Factor of a City,” will explore how cities can become more resilient. This program will give you insights into mitigating risks, responding to diverse shocks, and rebuilding cities as resilient, modern, and sustainable urban hubs. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to urban resilience and how proactive adaptation can minimize negative impacts.

 

The knowledge gained during the Summer Institute 2025 will contribute to the global conversation at the COP30 Climate Conference in Belem, Brazil.

 

The Summer Institute 2025 is organized by universities within the Ulysseus European University:

 

• Technical University of Košice (Slovakia)
• University of Seville (Spain)
• University of Côte d’Azur (France)
• University of Genoa (Italy)

 

Please be aware that your home university may set a different application deadline depending on their internal selection process.

Registration dates 17 March 2025 15 April 2025
Course dates 16 June 2025 20 June 2025
Registration is open
Apply
BIP: The Resilience X-factor of a City

Course Outline

The program will consist of several learning methods. Teamwork is expected during the Summer Institute 2025. The virtual part of the program will be focused on explaining theoretical background and providing learning materials and factsheets about the Košice city. Physical part of the program will take place in Košice and will consist of several activities for students and young scientists.

Preliminary structure of the program:

  • Meet the professors – discussion with professors during breakfast everyday activity;
  • Lectures – lectures on specific topics within the scope of the Summer Institute 2025 held by well-recognised international scholars;
  • Workshop – introductory workshop focused on initiation of case studies to be solved at the Bootcamp in cooperation with the Košice city and
    different organizations;
  • Bootcamp – Hack the City – practical case studies.

At the end of the Summer Institute 2025 it is expected from each team to present the case study solutions.

Course Content

The Summer Institute 2025 represents a hands-on approach designed to address the complex, multifaceted nature of urban resilience in an increasingly dynamic world. Over the course of the program, participants will actively engage with local and regional critical challenges and explore innovative solutions through a collaborative, hands-on bootcamp-style approach. The focus areas outlined below represent the key dimensions of urban resilience that will be explored through several active sessions, case studies, and discussions. Through collaboration, participants will address a wide range of challenges, from infrastructure and governance to social equity and environmental sustainability, with an emphasize on real-world applications and evidence-based strategies.

Focus areas are:

  • Resilient Infrastructure – strengthening physical systems to resist shocks and ensure continuity;
  • Empowered Communities – building cohesive social systems and inclusive networks for resilience;
  • Sustainable Economies – developing economic resources that adapt and succeed in times of change;
  • Innovative and Effective Governance – reinforcing institutions and governments for effective disaster response and recovery;
  • Green and Adaptive Environments – preserving and enhancing environmental systems for long-term sustainability;
  • Cultural Resilience – using cultural assets (including historical and cultural heritage) to foster identity, unity, and recovery;
  • Smart Cities – using advanced technology (incl. AI) and innovation to prepare, respond, and rebuild better.

The Summer Institute 2025 agenda will further focus on exploring, analysing, and proposing smart and effective solutions across five interconnected
dimensions of urban resilience:

  • Climate and Environmental Resilience focuses on how cities can align growth with environmental sustainability by integrating regenerative ecosystems, green infrastructure, and climate adaptation strategies. It emphasizes sustainable urban planning to build balanced relationships between urban life and natural systems.
  • Infrastructure and Spatial Resilience looks at how cities can ensure their essential systems, such as transport, energy, and water, are both adaptable and inclusive. It examines urban planning approaches that incorporate the 15-minute City model to prioritize fair access to housing, mobility, and essential services, with a focus on supporting homeless and vulnerable populations.
  • Social and Housing Resilience explores how cities can empower their populations by promoting social equity and community cohesion. It reviews policies and initiatives that address homelessness, strengthen community bonds, and support collective action in times of crisis.
  • Economic and Financial Resilience examines the critical key factors that drive stability and adaptability in urban economies. It examines various economic models, innovative financial strategies, and the role of entrepreneurship in building resilience, with a particular focus on funding affordable housing projects and equitable resource distribution.
  • Technological and Mobility Resilience explores how technology and innovative mobility systems can help cities prepare for future challenges. This dimension highlights the use of data, AI, and digital twins to improve urban preparedness and recovery, while developing efficient and inclusive transport systems to ensure accessibility for all.

Learning Outcomes

Following this course, students will be able to:

  • Master Resilience Concepts: apply in-depth knowledge of resilience frameworks and evidence-based strategies to real-world urban challenges;
  • Design Sustainable Urban Systems: utilize acquired skills to design adaptive, data-driven, and sustainable urban systems;
  • Apply Advanced Tools and Methods: live hands-on experience with advanced tools and methods to address real-world urban challenges;
  • Shape Future Urban Resilience: explore collaborative opportunities to shape future urban resilience policies, supported by the X-Factor of resilience, new insights, and practical, smart, and effective solutions.

Agenda

Day 1
Morning  
08:00 – 09:00 Registration
09:00 – 12:00 Greeting speech and introduction
Afternoon
13:30 – 16:30 Lectures
18:00 Public Debate with key-note speakers

Day 2
Morning  
08:00 – 09:00 Meet the professors
09:00 – 12:00 Lectures
Afternoon
13:30 – 16:30 Lectures
18:00 Hack the City

Day 3
Morning   
08:00 – 09:00 Meet the professors
09:00 – 12:00 Lectures
Afternoon
13:30 – 16:30 Specialised Fieldwork/Guided City tour

Day 4
Morning 
08:00 – 09:00 Meet the professors
09:00 – 12:00 Bootcamp
Afternoon
13:30 – 16:30 Bootcamp
18:00 Farewel party

Day 5
Morning   
08:00 – 09:00 Meet the professors
09:00 – 12:00 Student work presentation
Afternoon
13:30 – 16:30 Student work presentation
18:00 Evaluation and closing ceremony

Requirements

  • Participants should be Master/PhD students or young scientists in the fields of study such as Economics, Regional Science, Architecture, Urban studies, Geography.
  • Participants should be fluent in English, minimum level B2.
  • Participants should be eager to work in teams and enthusiasts for solving actual city problems.

 

Application Process

  • Deadline for accepting applications: 15/04/2025 (Please be aware that your home university may set a different application deadline depending on their internal selection process).
  • Required documents: CV, thesis proposal.

Professors

  • Peter Nijkamp, Open University, The Netherlands
  • Carlos Moreno, Paris IAE – Pantheón Sorbonne University, France
  • Karima Kourtit, Open University, The Netherlands
  • Catherine Gall, Paris IAE – Pantheón Sorbonne University, France (TBC)
  • Oto Hudec, TUKE, Slovakia
  • Neil Reid, University of Toledo, USA (TBC)
  • Alessio Tei, UniGE, Italy (TBC)
  • Claudio Ferrari, UniGE, Italy (TBC)
  • Pedro R. Palos-Sanchez, USE, Spain (TBC)
  • Paulo Carvalho Brasilio De Moura, UniCA, France (TBC)
  • Umut Türk, Turkey (TBC)
  • Tomáš Želinský, TUKE, Slovakia
  • Miriam Šebová, TUKE, Slovakia
  • Lenka Maličká, TUKE, Slovakia
  • Peter Džupka, TUKE, Slovakia

More information