INSTITUTE | UPDATE

Update | FEBRUARY 2024

Welcome to our first Institute Update 2024! We already started the New Year with brilliant news and have exciting activities in the pipeline - our just started research project REGEN will focus on REGENeration of neighbourhoods towards a low-carbon, inclusive and affordable built environment. Together with our trainings starting in April and our technical assistance activities, we are nicely busy: happy therefore to welcome three new staff members, Mariana Binder, Rebecca Baugh and Marco Kjaer. Welcome to the Institute Team!

INSTITUTE Research

DUST

The DUST project is now entering its second year! In the first year, we laid the groundwork for the regional experiments to come, with project partners diving into the analysis of inclusivity in just sustainability transition policies. Now, we begin to work with communities in the eight case study regions, to understand and platform the perspectives of those less heard in decision-making. Keep an eye on the DUST website for the upcoming release of our learnings from the first year and stories from our case study regions!

UP2030

As we enter the second year of UP2030, pilot cities and liaison partners are working together with consortium partners to align and define the visioning process for the cities. Cities are are now also finalising their choices in terms of tools to implement. Check out our website and social media to stay up to date!

VARCITIES

We are still seeking municipalities in Europe interested in the development of nature-based solutions! Are you interested? Check out VARCITIES City-to-City Exchange Programme!

PLUS Change

PLUS Change Project is still seeking applicants to the #AmbassadorsofChange progamme! Selected Ambassadors will contribute to discussions on equitable land use, representing the interests of groups that are often excluded from or underrepresented in land use planning and decision making in Europe. We are accepting expressions of interest in joining as an Ambassador on an open basis, until all 15 positions are filled. Please note that applicants must be based in Europe.

JUSTNature

As we navigate through the third year of the JUSTNature project, CiPeLs have been conducting Local Stakeholder Workshops to continue discussing the implementation of Nature based Solutions. The whole team is also preparing for the next project meeting to be held during the first week of April in Bolzano & Merano, Italy.

REGEN

We met with REGEN partners for the first time in Luxembourg in the last week of January! Our involvement in the project will support the design of a catalogue of urban regeneration interventions this year, and lead up to a virtual demonstration with several cases the ISOCARP Institute will be identifying next year!

INSTITUTE PRACTICE

DOWN-TO-EARTH

The first year of Down to Earth is wrapping up! Together with six regions in Europe, we investigated the link between environmental risks and depopulation and ageing population in rural areas. The outcomes from these activities have been presented this month in Patras, Greece.

INSTITUTE ACADEMY

Online Courses

The ISOCARP Institute and Think City Institute have partnered to develop Smarter, Dynamic, Greener, a series of three online courses that explores environmental and technological challenges in cities across Asia. The programme is oriented around actionable strategies to meet SDGs in the region and targets public and private sector professionals working in Asia. Drawing on up-to-date knowledge from a range of expert lecturers, each course will promote co-creative strategies for resilient development in Asian cities. Take a look at our first course on Climate Resilience and find out how to sign up in the link below!

Storytelling

In all our efforts at the ISOCARP Institute, telling the right stories to the right people helps to establish shared understanding and goals. But sometimes it is difficult to find the right stories to tell. We are currently developing an urban storytelling tool using AI software and our knowledge on story building. Interested in storytelling or the use of AI in urban planning? Get in touch with us!

our team grows

During the last three months, we welcomed three new members to our team. At the beginning of December, Mariana Binder joined as our new Communication and Design Officer. She holds an MSc in Urban Management from Technical University Berlin. In February we had two further additions: Rebecca Baugh and Marco Kjaer. Rebecca holds an MSc in Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences from Delft University of Technology and is working as a Project Assistant, whereas Marco, who is studying a BSc in Built Environment: International Spatial Development at Breda University of Applied Sciences, will be supporting us as an intern. We are pleased to have them on the team and are excited to see what they will bring to our projects!

🤝CONNECT WITH the INSTITUTE

Opportunities for new partners! We are looking for new partners with whom we can work together on capacity building, research exploration, public outreach and technical assistance both in and outside of Europe. We are always open to new connections, reach out to us via email: info@isocarp-institute.org or connect on social media.