Topic: Systems thinking
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 disseminationDavor 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 thinkingJan 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 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 efficiency