Topic: Social renewal and societal change
Davor Meersman pt 2 – Wicked Problems: Migration, Housing, and Climate Change
What do affordable housing, migration, and climate change have in common? Davor Meersman explores how these interlinked crises require systemic solutions rather than isolated fixes. He shares insights from his research into urbanisation and global inequality, explaining why technological innovation alone isn’t enough—and how cities must rethink how they grow and develop.
New European Bauhaus Urban design and development Technology integration Social renewal and societal change Community engagement Systems thinkingFrank van der Hoeven pt 1 – DigiNEB and the Digital Future of the Built Environment
Frank van der Hoeven, research director at TU Delft Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment and coordinator of the DigiNEB project, discusses how digital tools are shaping the future of architecture and urban planning. He reflects on the origins of the New European Bauhaus initiative, its role in uniting sustainability, cultural identity, and social equity, and the challenges of integrating digital technologies into the traditionally hands-on field of design.
New European Bauhaus Sustainability Cultural heritage and diversity Social renewal and societal change Architectural education and practice Digitalization and innovationMarkus Reymann pt 1 – Art, Advocacy, and the Ocean
Markus Reymann, co-director of TBA21, shares his journey from theatre to contemporary art and marine conservation. He discusses the transformative power of art, the role of storytelling in advocacy, and how his organisation integrates science, policy, and artistic practice to engage with pressing environmental issues.
Art and culture Aesthetics Accessibility Environmental conservation Human-centered design Data-driven decision making Social renewal and societal changeMia Roth-Čerina pt 4 – Architectural Education and the Changing Role of the Architect
What do architecture graduates actually do? Mia Roth-Čerina shares insights from her research into the shifting roles of architects in contemporary society. She examines how architectural education must move beyond rigid structures to foster adaptability, collaboration, and problem-solving, and considers what a truly forward-thinking curriculum might look like.
Architectural education and practice Education innovation Interdisciplinary approach Sustainability Technology integration Social renewal and societal changeRoberto Cavallo pt 1 – Architecture, Education, and the European Perspective
Roberto Cavallo, associate professor at TU Delft, reflects on his journey from Italy to the Netherlands and the cultural differences in architecture and education across Europe. He explores how national identity shapes architectural practice, the evolution of European design thinking, and the growing interconnectedness of the profession.
Architectural education and practice European collaboration and policy Social renewal and societal change Interdisciplinary approach Digitalization and innovation Education innovationSheela Patel pt 1 – Informality, Migration, and the Right to the City
Sheela Patel, founder of SPARC and a leading voice on urban informality, shares how decades of work with migrant communities in Mumbai shaped her understanding of survival, resilience, and the structural barriers facing the urban poor. She discusses the politics of displacement, the failures of city planning, and why informal settlements should be seen as solutions rather than problems.
Urban design and development Community engagement Inclusion Social renewal and societal change Human-centered design Quality of life and well-beingSheela Patel pt 2 – Collective Power, Feminism, and Changing the Rules
What does real empowerment look like? Sheela Patel explains how grassroots women’s networks have transformed not only their own communities but also the way governments and institutions engage with the urban poor. She reflects on how solidarity, rather than charity, leads to lasting change and how redefining leadership can challenge entrenched power structures.
Community engagement Inclusion Social renewal and societal change Human-centered design Technology integration Local and regional solutionsSheela Patel pt 5 – Jugaad, Waste, and Lessons for Europe from the Global South
What can European cities learn from the resourcefulness of informal settlements? Sheela Patel explains Jugaad—the Indian concept of frugal innovation—and how it applies to housing, infrastructure, and urban resilience. She challenges the Western obsession with high-tech solutions and argues for a shift in mindset towards making better use of what we already have.
Inclusion Cultural heritage and diversity Social renewal and societal change Sustainability European collaboration and policy Knowledge sharing and dissemination