Interdisziplinäre Lehre: Meeting Global Challenges
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Registration
Registration takes place via RWTHonline and is possible from 01.09.2026 to 04.10.2026. Further information on the registration process can be found in the FAQs.
All students can register for one course. You can specify two preferences. To do so, please use the ‘high’ priority and the one directly below it. For instructions, please click here. If you have not been allocated a place at the end of the allocation process and are still interested in participating in a course, please contact sibel.yildirim@ipw.rwth-aachen.de.
(If you have any problems with registration, please contact Ms Sibel Yildirim (IPW) at sibel.yildirim@ipw.rwth-aachen.de, stating your matriculation number. If you have any general questions about the course, please contact the person listed below.)
We welcome your questions and comments. You can contact us here! (The ‘Leonardo’ project is also on Facebook and Instagram).
Academic Responsibility
Chair of Urban Design and Institute for Urban Design and European Urbanism, RWTH Aachen
Contact Person
Elena Maria Hörkens, M.A.
Schedule
Start
26.10.2026.
Time
Time and Zoom-link of the introductory meeting will be published soon.
Place
Digital Self-Learning
Description
Cities are directly affected by many of the world’s most pressing challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation. Currently, approximately half of the global population lives in urban areas, and this figure is expected to rise to nearly two-thirds by 2050. Given the scale of urbanization, it is essential that cities meet the needs of both current and future residents in ways that are socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable.
This objective is reflected in Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. In this online self-paced course, participants will gain an introduction to SDG 11 and its various targets while engaging with key topics such as urbanization, mobility and transportation, housing, and public spaces.
Through a series of thematic chapters, participants will explore the core concepts, targets, and indicators associated with SDG 11, as well as the challenges and opportunities involved in achieving sustainable urban development.
Participants will engage with:
- SDG 11 from national and international perspectives;
- key concepts and principles of urbanization and urban development;
- national and international case studies;
- challenges and strategies related to achieving the targets of SDG 11.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- identify and describe the targets of SDG 11;
- explain the fundamental concepts of urbanization and urban development;
- analyse national and international trends in urban development;
- explain key challenges associated with achieving SDG 11;
- explore and critically assess projects and initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable cities and communities;
- develop a reflective perspective on sustainable urban development and its societal implications.
Program
Following a general introduction to SDG 11, participants will examine its key targets through the following thematic units:
- Housing and basic services
- Transport systems, road traffic, and public transportation
- Urbanization and settlement planning
- World cultural and natural heritage
- Disaster risk and resilience
- Environmental impacts and pollution in urban areas
- Access to public spaces and green infrastructure
The concluding chapter explores the role of urban planning in achieving SDG 11, introduces key stakeholders involved in urban development, examines urban planning practices in Germany, and highlights the importance of international cooperation.
The course concludes with an outlook on advanced modules and challenge-based learning opportunities related to SDG 11.
Organization
At the beginning of the Winter Semester 2026/27, an online introductory session will be held via Zoom to address organizational matters, including course registration and participation procedures.
Students from all participating universities will take part in this meeting, fostering nationwide exchange and collaborative learning. Following the introductory session, participants will complete the online self-paced course independently through the SDG Campus platform.
Throughout the semester, additional online meetings will be offered to provide opportunities for reflection, discussion, and peer exchange. The course concludes with a final check-out session in which participants reflect on their learning experiences and discuss key takeaways.
Procedure/Working method
Depending on the course of studies, module and examination, credit points can be achieved through participation. If you would like to take an exam, please make sure beforehand how you can get credit for it in your degree program. Of course, you can also take exams without receiving curricular credit for them. Visit our FAQs for more information.
Certificate
Completing the assessment on the SDG Campus and writing a protocol with reflection (2 CP in total, ungraded)
