ENGAGE.EU Signature Course "Sustainable Cities"

Sustainable Development, Complexity, and Purpose in Cities, Vienna (WU)

This module introduces sustainable development and complexity through cities as complex systems, using Vienna as a case. Students explore how social, economic, environmental, political, and institutional factors interact, and use purpose to examine how cities define goals, identity, performance, and pathways toward sustainable development.

Smart mobily, the example of Paris (UTC)

Using Paris as a case study, this module analyses urban mobility as regulatory governance: the shift from car dependence to accessibility, the role of Île-de-France Mobilités, Grand Paris Express and MaaS, low-emission zones, autonomous vehicles and the 15-minute city, and the tensions between climate goals, social equity and democratic legitimacy

Tourism, Transport and the path to urban sustainability, Bergen (NHH)

This module uses Bergen and the wider Vestland region as a working case in urban sustainability. Three videos examine a city that leads the world in transport electrification while hosting Northern Europe’s busiest cruise port, the institutional barriers that stall sustainable mobility policy, and the conflict between tourism and nature. The recurring lesson: the binding constraint is rarely technology.

Interaction between Humans and Non-humans in an aging City, Tokyo (HU)

Population aging is a global challenge that all cities must address. Tokyo, one of the world’s largest megacities, is already facing its effects. Non-human agents—such as AI, robots, and companion animals—can support more sustainable urban systems. This module explores the concept of the aging city, reviews Tokyo’s demographic situation, and analyzes the benefits and risks of integrating non-humans into urban life.

• Each module finishes with a summative assignment

• The results are relevant for grading. Each assignment counts individually.

• Settings:

  • One attempt per assignment

  • The passing score is 60%

  • The quiz results are automatically generated from the platform

• The individual analysis is assessed by the lecturer supervising the respective student.

• As part of a City Expert Session, students briefly present the findings of their individual analysis to their supervising lecturer.

• The COIL assignment will be assessed by the group supervisor according to rubrics.

• The rubrics provide information on what the supervisors expect to be done in the group work.

• The assignment is assessed per group.

• The lecturer of your home university is responsible for grading the course.