Sustainability in focus: International Summer Academy in Konstanz starts!

Sustainability in focus: International Summer Academy in Konstanz starts!

The International Summer Academy “Sustainable without Limits” will take place from September 22nd to 26th, 2025 in the “Little Venice” festival area in Konstanz. The event is organized by the Binational School of Education (BiSE) of the University of Konstanz, the Thurgau University of Education and the Vorarlberg University of Education. Teacher training students from Germany, Austria and Switzerland are cordially invited to take part in this event. Admission is free, but registration is required at bise.info@uni-konstanz.de.

A central component of the summer academy are the public evening events, which offer interesting discussions and creative debates on the topic of sustainability. On the first evening, September 22nd at 7:00 p.m., a panel discussion will take place in which, among others, the mayor of Konstanz, Uli Burchardt, and the mayor of Kreuzlingen, Thomas Niederberger, will take part. Topics will include the integration of ecological, economic and social aspects into urban development as well as the associated opportunities and challenges.

Public evening events

A games evening entitled “Ecogames” will follow on September 23rd at 7:00 p.m. Here, participants can try out board games on sustainability topics. This event is organized by Spielraum Bodensee e.V. and the GameLab at the University of Konstanz. Luisa Hoffmann will give an introduction covering eco-modification of board and video games.

The evening events conclude with a theater performance with short plays by “Climate Change Theater Action” on September 25th at 7:30 p.m. The aim of this performance is to creatively address the challenges of climate change.

Climate change-friendly urban design

In the run-up to the summer academy, the Fraunhofer Society is offering further training on climate change-friendly urban design. This includes several modules that focus on the challenges and adaptation measures for climate change-resilient cities. The first module deals with the causes and consequences of climate change in urban areas, while the subsequent modules address specific adaptation measures, the practical implementation of planning and effective communication strategies in urban development. A central element of this training is training in urban climate simulation in order to enable users to independently carry out and evaluate measures.

In the current debate about sustainable urban development, the importance of ecological, economic and social sustainability is increasingly emphasized. Cities are complex systems that must serve a variety of needs. By 2050, over half of Europe's population is expected to live in cities. The United Nations therefore defines sustainability as an essential ability to meet the needs of the present without endangering those of the future. Key aspects here are social justice, environmental protection and economic vitality.

Digital twins and smart cities

Another pioneering approach in urban planning is the use of digital twins and smart city technologies. These digital models enable better monitoring of environmental indicators and more efficient use of resources. For example, parking management systems show the availability of parking spaces in real time, which reduces traffic volumes. Street lighting can also significantly reduce energy consumption through digital adjustments. Urban digital twins thus contribute to ecological sustainability and at the same time promote social participation of citizens.

For further information about the event and the training modules on climate change-friendly urban design, those interested can visit the website University of Konstanz and des Fraunhofer Institute visit. Further relevant aspects of sustainable urban development can also be found on the blog Fraunhofer Institute for Interdisciplinary Applied Research. Together, these initiatives demonstrate the importance of developing sustainable solutions for future generations.