An innovative, multidisciplinary programme tackling real-world urban challenges.

BIP Changing Cities

The Erasmus+ BIP "Changing Cities" is a forward-thinking initiative launched in 2021 by four universities. This programme engages students in solving real urban challenges presented by municipalities. It offers 4 ECTS credits and is open to students from diverse fields such as International Business, Management, Architecture, and Urban Design.

Each year, a different city presents a challenge. In 2023, students in Rotterdam designed floating structures for repurposing old harbours. In 2024, Graz, Austria, invited students to transform a former steel factory into sustainable living spaces for global nomads.

Programme overview

Online Phase - Before Mobility

The programme begins with five online sessions where students collaborate internationally to explore smart city concepts and best practices. Activities include:

Online Kick-Off
Introduction to the programme and an interactive icebreaker game.
Intercultural Workshop & Quiz
Enhancing cross-cultural communication.
Masterclasses
Expert-led sessions on methodologies like design thinking and smart city innovations.
Assignment
Students analyze a city in their home country, identify best practices, and prepare a comparative study.
Municipality Challenge
The host city presents a real-world problem to be tackled during the physical week.

Physical Programme

The intensive on-site experience includes research, fieldwork, and design thinking. Activities include:

Welcome & Task Presentation
The hosting municipality introduces the challenge.
Fieldwork
Students explore the urban site, documenting findings through photos and videos.
Prototype Development
Teams create innovative solutions based on their virtual research.
Masterclasses
Additional expert-led workshops on urban planning and sustainability.
Final Competition
Teams present their design concepts and business plans, with the best solution winning an award.

Online Phase - After Mobility

Following the physical week, students finalise their projects and reflect on their learning. This includes:

Video Submissions
Teams create videos summarising their prototype development process.
Peer Assessment
Students evaluate their teammates' contributions.
Final Reflection
A closing online session allows students to discuss key takeaways from the programme.

Our partners

This programme is developed in close collaboration with our partners. Each year, the programme is hosted in a different city at one of the partner universities:

Centria University of Applied Sciences (Kokkola, Finland)
FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences (Graz, Austria)
CEU San Pablo University (Madrid, Spain)

"I highly recommend students to participate in a BIP, as it’s a great way to make new friends quickly. You meet people you normally never meet, such as management or architecture students from abroad. Overall, I see it as a very positive experience.”

Jonah van den Beukel, third-year Business Studies Management & Policy

BIP - Changing Cities in a Nutshell

What? This blended-learning programme (online & on-site) tackles urban sustainability challenges.
For whom? Students from International Business, Management, Architecture, and Urban Design from Inholland University of Applied Sciences and partners.
Where? Each year, the programme is hosted in a different city at one of our partners/parter universities.
When? The programme includes a virtual phase with five online sessions, a one-week on-site experience, and post-mobility activities. It takes place in March or April.
Why? Participants earn 4 ECTS credits, enhance their cross-disciplinary skills, and work on solving real-world urban challenges.
How? Apply at your BIP partner institution before January to secure your spot and to apply for Erasmus+ funding.