Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Angela Mensing-de Jong: Urban LAB Dresden 2023

Applicant: Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Angela Mensing-de Jong, Chair of Urban Design, Institute of Urbanism and Urban Studies, Faculty of Architecture | School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Period: 01.10.2023 – 07.10.2023
Participating partners: Czech Technical University of Prague (CVUT), Prague, Czech Republic | Cracow University of Technology (CUT), Cracow, Poland | National School of Architecture of Strasbourg (ENSA), Strasbourg, France

Group photo of the participants of the “Urban Lab”

As part of the international "Urban Lab" workshop, students and lecturers from TU Dresden, the Czech Technical University in Prague (CVUT), the Cracow University of Technology (CUT) and ENSA Strasbourg designed urban planning ideas for the future development of the Alberthafen/Flutrinne/Ostragehege area in Dresden in October 2023. The collaboration with university partners from neighboring countries, the Czech Republic and Poland, is characterized by shared urban planning challenges, such as dealing with the architectural legacy of socialism, managing growing cities versus shrinking rural regions, and ensuring flood protection. These challenges were considered in the urban planning visions. Together with representatives of the city, such as the Mayor of Construction of Dresden, the City Planning Office, Messe Dresden, local companies and associations, a real learning environment was created in which urban planning designs emerged from various perspectives. The "Urban LAB" not only serves to promote subject-specific skills, but also strengthens the language and intercultural skills of the participants.

For Prof. Mensing-de Jong, internationalization is both a professional practice and a personal commitment. "My childhood was shaped by many journeys and my family's eventful history between the West and East. As a result, after reunification, I developed an enthusiasm for neighboring countries to the east and southeast. The pandemic highlighted the extent to which closed borders can affect life and freedom of movement. For this reason, I am strongly committed to introducing young people to the values of the European Union and promoting the internationalization of the university and the city of Dresden in professional and personal contexts."

Participants of the “Urban Lab” in front of scientific maps

In March 2024, the results were presented at a joint exhibition at the COSMO Science Forum at Dresden's Kulturpalast, followed by presentations in Krakow in May and Prague in November. As a result of these exhibitions, there were discussions about intensifying and expanding the cooperation. This led to a follow-up workshop in February 2025 with TU Prague and TU Wrocław, in which the first steps toward a possible Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Program were discussed.

The "Urban LAB" is an example of an innovative, internationally oriented teaching format with a lasting impact. Offered regularly at TU Dresden and partner universities, it is an interdisciplinary, research-oriented course of study. For participating students, the Urban LAB is more than a traditional design project. It allows them to engage with the public and present subject-specific content in an accessible way. TU Dresden becomes visible as an active co-designer of sustainable urban development.

Contact

Coordinator

Daniela Mohrich

International Funding Programmes

Send email

Contact Information

International Office

work

Visiting address:

Fritz Foerster Bau, Office 167 Mommsenstraße 6

01069 Dresden

Show map of this location.

postal

Postal address:

TUD Dresden University of Technology International Office

01062 Dresden

work Tel.

Research Assistant

Helene Herwig