Topic: Sustainability
Aase Højlund Nielsen pt 1 – Sustainable Urbanisation and Citizen Engagement
Aase Højlund Nielsen, coordinator of the DESIRE project at Bloxhub in Copenhagen, discusses how citizen participation shapes sustainable urbanisation. She explores the role of public engagement in the green transition, the importance of matching expertise with lived experience, and the challenges of making systemic change feel relevant and accessible to communities.
Sustainability Community engagement Climate change and adaptation Systems thinking Interdisciplinary approach Knowledge sharing and disseminationAase Højlund Nielsen pt 3 – Aesthetics, Green Transition, and Making Change Desirable
How do we make sustainability the preferred choice? Aase Højlund Nielsen discusses the role of aesthetics in urban transformation, the power of art in community building, and the different approaches taken across Europe to integrate beauty and function into sustainable development. She explores how design can create spaces people actively want to engage with rather than feel obligated to support.
Sustainability Community engagement Climate change and adaptation Co-creation and participatory design Human-centered design Local and regional solutionsAase Højlund Nielsen pt 4 – Conflict, Collaboration, and the Principles of Change
Can disagreements drive progress? Aase Højlund Nielsen shares how conflict within collaborative projects can be a powerful force for innovation. She reflects on the challenges of aligning different perspectives in the DESIRE project, the importance of open debate, and how artistic and ecological principles can be used as shared languages to shape the built environment.
Interdisciplinary approach Sustainability Community engagement Knowledge sharing and dissemination Adaptability Co-creation and participatory designAndreja Kutnar pt 1 – Wood Science, Sustainable Construction, and the Future of Materials
Andreja Kutnar, wood scientist and professor at the University of Primorska, shares her journey from growing up in a carpentry workshop to leading cutting-edge research on renewable materials. She explores the science behind wood as a construction material, its advantages over steel and concrete, and why understanding its properties is essential for architects and engineers.
Sustainability Building materials and techniques Interdisciplinary approach Nature-based solutions Architectural education and practice Environmental conservationAndreja Kutnar pt 2 – The New European Bauhaus and Rebuilding with Nature
How do we integrate nature into our cities? Andreja Kutnar discusses the role of the New European Bauhaus in reshaping the built environment with sustainable materials. She explains how timber construction can contribute to climate change mitigation and why we need to rethink our approach to urban planning, housing, and resource use to create healthier living spaces.
New European Bauhaus Sustainability Building materials and techniques Environmental conservation Circular economy Digitalization and innovationAndreja Kutnar pt 3 – Digital Twins, Smart Forestry, and the Data-Driven Future of Wood
Can forests have digital twins? Andreja Kutnar explores how technology is revolutionising forestry and timber construction, from tracking trees via satellite to embedding sensors in buildings. She explains how digital tools help ensure sustainable forest management, prevent illegal logging, and provide real-time data on material performance.
Digital twins and simulations Sustainability Interdisciplinary approach Education innovation Human-centered design Technology integrationAndreja Kutnar pt 4 – Fire, Water, and the Misconceptions About Timber Buildings
Are wooden buildings a fire risk? Andreja Kutnar challenges common myths about timber construction, explaining why fire resistance is actually one of wood’s strengths. She also discusses the real concern—water damage—and how digital monitoring, careful construction, and skilled labour are crucial to ensuring long-lasting, safe wooden structures.
Sustainability Building materials and techniques Education innovation Technology integration Interdisciplinary approach Architectural education and practiceAndreja Kutnar pt 5 – Inclusion, Policy, and the Role of Wood in a Circular Economy
What role should policy play in promoting sustainable materials? Andreja Kutnar highlights the importance of education, regulation, and public awareness in shifting construction towards more sustainable practices. She explores the potential for material banks, circularity in timber buildings, and the policies that can help ensure that renewable resources are used responsibly.
Sustainability Climate change and adaptation Education innovation Policy-making and evaluation Technology integration Local and regional solutionsDavor Meersman pt 1 – Open Source Housing and the Future of Construction
Davor Meersman, chair of the Futurecraft Foundation, discusses how digital tools, automation, and open-source architecture can transform the way we build. He explains how the construction industry lags behind in innovation, why interoperability is crucial for sustainable urban development, and how open digital platforms can make housing more affordable and accessible.
Sustainability Technology integration Building materials and techniques Digitalization and innovation Environmental conservation Knowledge sharing and disseminationDavor Meersman pt 3 – Smart Cities, Digital Twins, and the Role of AI in Urban Design
How can AI help us build better cities? Davor Meersman explains how digital twins, LiDAR scanning, and neural networks can improve urban planning by preserving natural environments while optimising housing and infrastructure. He explores the challenges of balancing high-tech solutions with real-world urban complexity.
Sustainability Technology integration Building materials and techniques Digitalization and innovation Environmental conservation Knowledge sharing and disseminationDavor Meersman pt 4 – Carbon Sequestration, Sustainable Materials, and Open Source Design
Can the way we build houses help fight climate change? Davor Meersman discusses how wood construction can act as a carbon sink, the financial incentives behind carbon sequestration, and how open-source architecture can accelerate the shift to sustainable building practices. He also unpacks the economic models that could make nature-based materials the default choice in construction.
Sustainability Urban design and development European collaboration and policy Technology integration Climate change and adaptation Co-creation and participatory designDavor Meersman pt 5 – Should We Stop Building? A Debate on the Future of Urban Development
Do we actually need more buildings? Davor Meersman responds to the argument that we should stop new construction altogether and instead retrofit existing spaces. He examines the environmental costs of traditional materials like concrete and steel, the risks of toxic building materials, and why he believes sustainable new construction must be part of the solution.
Sustainability Building materials and techniques Climate change and adaptation Environmental conservation Resource management and efficiency Lifecycle thinking and long-term planningFrancesca Rizzo pt 1 – Design, Participation, and the New European Bauhaus
Francesca Rizzo, professor at Politecnico di Milano, explores the role of design in the New European Bauhaus. She discusses how participatory methods can empower citizens to shape their environments, why sustainability must be both functional and aesthetically appealing, and how designers can bridge the gap between policy and everyday life.
New European Bauhaus Sustainability Inclusion Human-centered design Community engagement Ecosystem approachFrank 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 innovationFrank van der Hoeven pt 4 – Sustainability, Infrastructure, and the Future of European Cities
Massive infrastructure projects—from bridges to industrial ports—pose some of the toughest sustainability challenges. Frank van der Hoeven discusses the transformation of Rotterdam’s vast petrochemical hub, the role of bio-based solutions, and the difficult balance between economic transition and environmental responsibility. He also reflects on the strange beauty of industrial landscapes and what might come next for Europe’s largest port.
Sustainability Climate change and adaptation Urban design and development Co-creation and participatory design Policy-making and evaluation Community engagementJan Bunge pt 1 – Storytelling, Simulation, and the Future of City Design
Jan Bunge, a trained landscape architect turned digital strategist, discusses the power of narrative in urban planning. He explains how real-time 3D environments and interactive simulations help decision-makers, stakeholders, and the public understand complex urban projects. With a background in both design and communication, he explores why the way we present ideas is just as important as the ideas themselves.
Urban design and development Digital twins and simulations Sustainability Data-driven decision making AI and digital tools Community engagementJan Bunge pt 2 – Digital Twins, Open Data, and Smarter Cities
Can we create a complete digital model of a city? Jan Bunge examines the promise and limitations of digital twins, discussing how data-driven urban planning can optimise resources and reduce waste. He argues that while a perfect digital twin is impossible, integrating fragmented data into a shared understanding of cities is the key to better decision-making.
Digital twins and simulations Urban design and development Resource management and efficiency Data-driven decision making Sustainability Systems thinkingJan Bunge pt 3 – The New European Bauhaus and Rethinking Urban Development
How do we build better cities when decision-making is short-term and profit-driven? Jan Bunge reflects on the challenges of property development, risk aversion, and the barriers to innovation in the built environment. He considers whether public administration could once again become a space for radical, forward-thinking urbanism, and what role the New European Bauhaus can play in shifting priorities.
Systems thinking Urban design and development Sustainability Lifecycle thinking and long-term planning Ecosystem approach Local and regional solutionsMarkus Reymann pt 3 – Cultural Diplomacy, the Cold War, and the Birth of an Art Academy
Can art shape international politics? Markus Reymann traces the origins of TBA21 to Cold War-era cultural exchanges, where art was used as a diplomatic tool. He explains how these early ideas of cultural diplomacy evolved into a contemporary art foundation with a radical commitment to environmental and social change.
Cultural heritage and diversity Environmental conservation European collaboration and policy Art and culture Aesthetics Community engagement SustainabilityMarkus Reymann pt 4 – The New European Bauhaus, Inclusion, and the Ocean as a Continuum
The New European Bauhaus isn't just about architecture. Markus Reymann discusses how the initiative can redefine inclusion—not just for people, but for non-human species and ecosystems. He explains his work on coastal governance models that incorporate "speakers for the living," ensuring that marine environments have a voice in decision-making.
New European Bauhaus Inclusion Sustainability Human Centered Design Ecosytem approach Nature-based solutionsMatti Kuittinen pt 1 – Architecture, Policy, and the Challenge of Sustainable Construction
Matti Kuittinen, professor at Aalto University and former policymaker at Finland’s Ministry of the Environment, discusses the intersection of architecture, education, and government. He reflects on the role of policymakers in shaping sustainable construction and whether the building industry can move beyond damage control to become a positive force for the planet.
Sustainability Building materials and techniques Climate change and adaptation Systems thinking Policy-making and evaluation Resource management and efficiencyMatti Kuittinen pt 4 – Beyond Borders: The New European Bauhaus and a Global Perspective
Is the New European Bauhaus a uniquely European movement? Matti Kuittinen challenges the idea of national boundaries in design, arguing that the initiative must address planetary-scale challenges. He considers how the movement can influence global construction culture, how European policies compare with international efforts, and what role architecture might play in the far future—even beyond Earth.
Sustainability Resource management and efficiency Lifecycle thinking and long-term planning European collaboration and policy New European Bauhaus Human-centered designMatti Kuittinen pt 5 – Aesthetics, Circularity, and the Case for Ugly Buildings
Can we learn to love ugly buildings? Matti Kuittinen redefines aesthetics in the context of sustainability, arguing that the most climate-friendly buildings might not always be the most beautiful by traditional standards. He explores how we can rethink materials, reuse existing structures, and create a built environment that aligns with the planet’s limits while remaining desirable.
Sustainability Climate change and adaptation Lifecycle thinking and long-term planning Circular economy Interdisciplinary approach New European BauhausMia Roth-Čerina pt 1 – Architecture, Education, and the New European Bauhaus
Mia Roth-Čerina, architect and professor at the University of Zagreb, discusses the evolving role of architectural education in addressing climate change, circularity, and inclusivity. She explores how the New European Bauhaus provides a framework for redefining design practice, particularly in South European contexts, and how architectural pedagogy must adapt to a rapidly changing world.
Architectural education and practice Sustainability Inclusion Local and regional solutions Nature-based solutions Cultural heritage and diversityMia Roth-Čerina pt 2 – Designing with Nature and the Built Environment
What does it mean to design for more than just humans? Mia Roth-Čerina explores how architecture can create spaces that respond to natural environments rather than dominate them. She discusses her work in the wetlands, the idea of "post-human" design, and how structures can serve both ecological and human needs while maintaining a delicate balance between presence and invisibility.
Sustainability Climate change and adaptation Interdisciplinary approach Human-centered design Nature-based solutions Ecosystem approachMia Roth-Čerina pt 3 – Coexistence, Speculative Design, and the Future of Architecture
Can architecture exist without the compulsion to build? Mia Roth-Čerina discusses the themes of her book Designing and Coexistence, which challenges the drive for constant newness in architecture. She explores ideas of mutualism, the importance of repurposing rather than replacing, and how speculative design can help reimagine the future of urban and rural spaces.
Sustainability Interdisciplinary approach Ecosystem approach Education innovation Environmental conservation AdaptabilityMia 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 changeMia Roth-Čerina pt 5 – Technology, AI, and the Role of Data in Design
Is the digital transformation of architecture making cities smarter or dumber? Mia Roth-Čerina discusses the role of AI, big data, and digital tools in urban planning, questioning whether an overreliance on quantifiable metrics risks erasing lived experience. She also explores the balance between technological innovation and the fundamental principles of good design.
Technology integration Sustainability Urban design and development Cultural heritage and diversity Adaptability New European BauhausRoberto Cavallo pt 3 – The New European Bauhaus: Connecting People, Places, and Professions
How can architecture address not just sustainability, but also aesthetics and inclusion? Roberto Cavallo breaks down the principles of the New European Bauhaus and how they shape the built environment. He discusses how designers must navigate economic realities, policymaking, and community engagement to create meaningful change.
New European Bauhaus Sustainability Inclusion Local and regional solutions Art and culture Aesthetics European collaboration and policyRoberto Cavallo pt 6 – What Comes After DigiNEB? The Future of the NEB Academy
What happens when EU-funded projects come to an end? Roberto Cavallo considers the long-term impact of DigiNEB, the potential of the NEB Academy, and how digital knowledge-sharing can support the future of sustainable design. He also discusses how European initiatives can foster lasting collaborations and new ways of thinking about architecture and urbanism.
New European Bauhaus AI and digital tools Knowledge sharing and dissemination Education innovation Sustainability Interdisciplinary approachSelma Harrington pt 1 – Architecture, Advocacy, and Heritage
Selma Harrington, an architect and educator, discusses her career spanning architecture, design, and advocacy for sustainable built environments. She reflects on modernist heritage in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the impact of post-war neglect on architecture, and her research into the transformation of the Historical Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A fascinating look into the intersections of architecture, history, and European identity.
Architectural education and practice Sustainability Heritage preservation Art and culture Aesthetics Interdisciplinary approach Cultural heritage and diversitySelma Harrington pt 2 – European Architecture and the New Bauhaus
What makes architecture distinctly European? Selma Harrington explores the cultural and ideological underpinnings of European architecture, discussing modernism, internationalism, and the New European Bauhaus initiative. She highlights the role of collaboration, sustainability, and community engagement in shaping a built environment that is both functional and meaningful.
European collaboration and policy New European Bauhaus Sustainability Community engagement Interdisciplinary approach Heritage preservationSelma Harrington pt 3 – Preserving Heritage, Policy Conflicts, and Water Mapping
How do you balance historic preservation with modern accessibility? Selma Harrington discusses the complexities of architectural policy, the contradictions in conservation regulations, and the challenges of adapting heritage buildings. She also introduces "Map for Water," an initiative mapping Sarajevo’s historic drinking fountains, blending sustainability, heritage, and civic engagement.
Heritage preservation Sustainability Local and regional solutions Accessibility Water management and design Policy-making and evaluationSheela Patel pt 3 – The New European Bauhaus and the Global South
Why is a community organiser from Mumbai advising the EU on architecture and design? Sheela Patel discusses her role on the New European Bauhaus high-level roundtable and how European policies influence—and sometimes harm—communities in the Global South. She challenges Europe to rethink its sustainability goals in a way that accounts for global responsibility rather than just local impact.
Sustainability New European Bauhaus Urban design and development Inclusion Lifecycle thinking and long-term planning European collaboration and policySheela 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