KAEBUP: Completed student internship at SF:ius

As partner organization of The Knowledge Alliance for Evidence-Based Urban Practices (KAEBUP), SF:ius hosted Ana Maria Pacetti from the University of Porto and Marios Tsangaris from the University of Cyprus from July 5th to September 1st, 2023. This internship served as the focal point of KAEBUP, aimed at creating an international educational approach and setting new standards in urban planning.

During the internship, students thoroughly examined the history of Zagreb's urban development, analyzing the contemporary socio-economic and urban conditions of various city districts, including Martinovka, located between the city center and the Sava River. The focus was on analyzing the challenges posed by the contemporary conditions of post-industrial urban development for this district, whose urban planning concept began in the 1960s.

Students participated in various stages of the research, including interviews with local residents, fieldwork, and collaborative learning activities. They employed diverse methods, drawing inspiration from the Situationist International movement and Unitary Urbanism. This case study resulted in publications showcasing the findings on Martinovka's urban morphology, the applied methodologies, and proposals for further research. These publications serve as a foundation for dialogue between experts and the local community, contributing to a deeper understanding of real-world challenges in urban planning and architectural design.

The internship also inspired various conceptual solutions through artistic and creative methods of communication. SF:ius contributed to the development of interdisciplinary teaching methods in the research field of urban planning and encouraged dialogue between academic theory and practical application in architecture.

Furthermore, during the internship, innovative methodologies and approaches to urban studies were developed with a special focus on the local community, social dynamics, and urban reality. This new knowledge and approaches will be integrated into the Sustainable Toolkit for the Assessment of Master Plans (STAMP), an online tool designed for professionals in the fields of architecture and urban planning, as well as academics and experts in the public and private sectors. STAMP enables a detailed analysis of the sustainability of various urban plans, with an emphasis on social, economic, and environmental aspects.

In conclusion, this project has enriched the understanding of urban challenges in Zagreb, contributed to new research and educational methods, and enhanced the dialogue between experts and the local community. These activities are crucial for creating more sustainable and functional cities in the future.

The project is co-Funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.