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EC5 - Smart, Circular and Resilient Cities and Regions 

Designing data-driven, circular and climate-ready cities through digital innovation, responsible governance and inclusive urban planning.

Credits

6 ECTS

Semester

2 Semester

Delivery

Online

Duration

13 weeks

Language

English

About This Course

This is a second-semester course in the MBA in Digital Deep Tech Driven Circular Economy
This postgraduate course focuses on how cities and regions can transition towards smart, circular, and resilient development by combining digital technologies, circular economy principles, and inclusive governance. It covers key themes such as IoT and data analytics, urban resource management, policy and financing frameworks, and resilience planning, linking theory with practical urban challenges. Delivered fully online, the course equips students with the skills to design evidence-based, ethical, and future-oriented strategies for sustainable urban and regional transformation.

What You Will Learn


Smart & Circular Urban Systems

  • Foundations of smart, circular, and resilient cities
  • Urban metabolism and resource-flow analysis in city systems
  • Circular planning strategies for sustainable urban development


Digital Technologies for Smart Cities

  • Role of IoT, AI, and data analytics in urban management
  • Digital twins and urban intelligence platforms for decision-making
  • Data-driven approaches to optimise urban resources and infrastructure


Governance & Resilient Territorial Development

  • EU policies and strategies supporting circular regions

  • Governance models and stakeholder collaboration in cities

  • Financing mechanisms for circular and resilient urban transitions

Your 13-Week Journey

Here’s how your learning unfolds

Week 1 – Smart, Circular and Resilient Cities

Understanding how digitalisation, sustainability and governance shape modern cities and regions.

Week 2 – Urban Circularity Foundations

Applying circular economy principles to urban systems, planning and resource management.

Week 3 – Digital Infrastructure and Urban Intelligence

Using data, IoT and platforms to enable smart and circular city operations.

Week 4 – Architecture and Smart Urban Design

Exploring smart city concepts through architecture and contemporary urban planning.

Week 5 – Urban Resource Flow Mapping

Mapping material and resource flows to identify circular opportunities in cities.

Week 6 – Systems Design for Circular Cities

Applying systems thinking to design resilient cities within planetary boundaries.

Week 7 – Circular Ecosystems and Regional Mapping

Identifying circular activities, gaps and synergies across urban and regional ecosystems.

Week 8 – Resilient Infrastructure and Smart Mobility

Designing adaptive infrastructure, mobility and logistics for climate resilience.

Week 9 – Indicators and Monitoring Frameworks

Assessing circularity and resilience using indicators and monitoring systems.

Week 10 – Policy and EU Strategies for Circular Regions

Understanding EU frameworks supporting smart and circular territorial development.

Week 11 – Financing Circular and Resilient Transitions

Exploring investment models and funding mechanisms for urban transformation.

Week 12 – Governance and Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration

Managing circular transitions through participatory and cross-sector governance.

Week 13 – Future Pathways for Digital Circular Governance

Designing inclusive, data-driven strategies for future circular territories.


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Skills You Will Gain

Data-Driven Urban Planning

  • Applying urban-analytics tools to analyse resource flows and infrastructure systems
  • Integrating environmental, economic, and social datasets for urban decision-making
  • Designing digital monitoring systems for circular city performance

Circular & Resilient Strategy Design

  • Developing integrated strategies for circular and climate-resilient cities
  • Evaluating circularity indicators and urban sustainability metrics
  • Designing solutions for smart mobility, waste management, and resource optimisation

Governance & Territorial Innovation Leadership

  • Leading cross-sector collaboration for urban sustainability transitions
  • Managing multi-stakeholder projects in regional circular-economy initiatives
  • Balancing technological innovation with social inclusion and environmental priorities

Continue Your Journey