Retrospective EUTOPIA Summer School in Gothenburg

The Summer School "Sustainable Cities - Infrastructure Systems and Collaboration" took place in Gothenburg from August 25 to 29, 2025 as part of the European University Network EUTOPIA. Together with the Handelshögskolan vid Göteborgs universitet, Ca' Foscari University of Venice and TU Dresden, a total of 40 students took part in the international program.

The Faculty of Business and Economics was also strongly represented with 14 students, mainly from advanced Master's or diploma programs. Prof. Dr. Michael Schefczyk and Prof. Dr. Dominik Möst also accompanied the Summer School and provided valuable insights into research and teaching.

The aim of the Summer School was to shed light on the challenges and opportunities of sustainable urban development from a scientific, economic and social perspective. In addition to intensive lectures on topics such as Renewable Energies or Business Models in the Triple Bottom Line Era, the students also gained practical insights. Excursions took them to the Renova waste incineration plant, local energy providers, social initiatives in Gothenburg and the Lindholmen Science Park - an innovation center that impressively demonstrates the transformation from a former shipyard site to a modern technology hub.

Working in international teams, the participants developed their own strategies and ideas for sustainable urban transformations, which they presented at the end of the Summer School.

In addition to the professional impulses, the intercultural and social exchange between the students from the different universities was a central component of the program. As a result, the Summer School not only offered valuable professional development, but also an enriching experience of European cooperation in research and teaching.