Cologne Summer School on Environmental Studies: Sustainable Cities
Cologne Summer School on Environmental Studies: Sustainable Cities
Summer semester 2015: The 21st century is the century of cities. More than half of the world's population already lives in cities - and by 2050, it will most likely be two-thirds of the people. One of the biggest challenges for the future will be to make these cities sustainable and not let them become the result of haphazard and uncontrolled development. Rapid urban growth does not have to lead to dramatic resource depletion, the disappearance of green spaces, air pollution, energy and water shortages, waste problems, congested roads and inadequate public transportation. To ensure that environmental protection and social inclusion go hand in hand, a sustainable approach to urban growth is needed.
The Sustainable Cities approach of the Summer School on Environmental Studies at the University of Cologne shows that sustainable urban growth can be successful, using the city of Cologne as an example. The program offers an interdisciplinary view on topics such as urban waste management, public transport and urban green spaces. With speakers from different faculties of the University of Cologne, the Cologne city administration and from the private sector, as well as excursions to urban waste management, green spaces, Cologne Airport, Deutsche Bahn and the Cologne Transport Association, the Summer School offers deep insights into the mechanisms of sustainable urban planning in Germany.