Home: The X-Factor in Future Cities
(Summer Institute 2026)
Cities have long been understood as engines of growth, innovation, and opportunity. Today, however, their future is increasingly defined by a more fundamental question: can cities still provide a home? In the context of rising
housing costs, homelessness, energy insecurity, climate stress, and social fragmentation, home is no longer a private matter alone. It has become a core urban function, shaping well-being, inclusion, talent retention, and social
stability. Cities that fail to secure access to home risk losing not only people, but trust, resilience, and long-term viability.
The Summer Institute 2026 will focus on “Home” as a central challenge and opportunity for future cities, addressing housing affordability, homelessness, energy security, well-being, and the role of young people in shaping resilient
and inclusive urban environments.
Application for Haaga-Helia students is open until 10th of April, 2026
Apply here
BIP Details:
- Virtual Component: June, 2026 (exact dates announced later)
- On-site Component: June 29 – July 3, 2026
- Location: Technical University of Košice, Košice, Slovakia
- ECTS Credits: 3
The programme will bring together Master/PhD students, early-stage researchers, and young scholars from Ulysses European University partners and beyond, representing disciplines such as urban and regional science,
economics, urban studies, architecture, geography, social work and related
fields.
Course Content:
The program will consist of several learning methods. Teamwork is expected during the Summer Institute 2026.
The virtual part of the program will be focused on explaining theoretical background and providing learning materials and factsheets about the Košicecity.
Physical part of the program will take place in Košice and will consist of several activities for Master/PhD students and young scholars.
Preliminary structure of the program:
- Meet the professors - discussion with professors during breakfast -
everyday activity.
- Lectures - lectures on specific topics within the scope of the Summer
Institute 2026 held by well-recognised international scholars.
- Workshop - introductory workshop focused on initiation of case studies
to be solved at the Bootcamp in cooperation with the Košice city and
different organizations.
- Bootcamp - Hack the City - practical case studies.
- At the end of the Summer Institute 2026 it is expected from each team to
present the case study solutions.
Selection criteria
- Master students
- Academic achievements
- Progress in studies and a motivation letter.
- Space in free-choice studies
