From December 9–13, 2024, CROSS-REIS project partners gathered at Oslo Metropolitan University for a dynamic week of collaboration, learning, and innovation. The visit featured a comprehensive program that emphasized capacity building, sustainable practices, and regenerative approaches to urban development.
The first day set the tone with a tour of OsloMet's state-of-the-art infrastructure and discussions on research goals and capabilities. The day featured a lecture by Dr. Daniel Piatkowski on "Transport Justice," exploring equity in transport systems, and a roundtable discussion led by Prof. Carlo Sessa from the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association (EMEA). The session focused on Urban Living Labs, addressing waste management, circular economy, and urban biodiversity, laying the groundwork for collaborative solutions.
On the second day, the agenda shifted to outreach, capacity building, and community engagement. Presentations by Dr. Chaoru Li on TransfUrban and Prof. Claudia van der Laag on Digital Twins highlighted innovative approaches to urban sustainability. Kay Henning Kleverud shared insights on using digital tools to drive municipal innovation. The day also included a hands-on workshop by Prof. John Östh on spatial statistics in GIS and concluded with presentations of ongoing projects, showcasing ideas advancing urban innovation.
The third day explored nature-based solutions, marketing strategies, and spatial analysis. Dr. Marta Šipulová discussed "Marketing for Circular Economy," while Dr. Isin Can Traunmüller examined "Socio-Spatial Attributes of Park Use," shedding light on the interaction between urban spaces and community well-being. Collaborative sessions in the afternoon further sparked ideas for integrating these concepts into future initiatives.
Circular economy and infrastructure economics were the focus of the fourth day. Group work sessions encouraged the development of innovative approaches, followed by presentations by Prof. Michael Getzner on Universal Basic Services (UBS) versus Universal Basic Income (UBI) and Prof. Joanna Badach. The day concluded with a thought-provoking Q&A session that explored the potential for sustainable development through these frameworks.
The final day centered on Urban Living Labs and enhancing research capacity. Working groups presented their approaches to these labs, showcasing creativity and collaboration while emphasizing practical solutions for regenerative urban development.
