Be the Change - Advancing Urban Sustainability and Health in Metropolitan Regions (BIP)

Urban areas are places where sustainability and health challenges come together. Factors such as air quality, housing, mobility, green spaces, and social inclusion all play a critical role in shaping population well-being. This international, interdisciplinary course empowers students to explore how urban environments influence human health and how sustainable urban development can improve quality of life for all.

By joining this course, students will gain a deeper understanding of how urban systems and infrastructures affect physical, mental, and social health. Learning across disciplines, they will connect perspectives from public health, urban planning, education, and social work. Participants will also collaborate internationally, working with peers from across Europe and the United States to co-create ideas for healthier, more sustainable cities.

Learning Outcomes

By completing this course, students will be able to:

• Identify and explain key determinants of urban sustainability and health, including factors such as housing, air quality, and access to essential services.
• Analyze and interpret the relationships between urban living conditions and population health outcomes.
• Evaluate best practices and innovative approaches to sustainable urban development from diverse international contexts.
• Collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary and intercultural teams to design sustainable, evidence-based solutions to urban health challenges.

Monday, 18 May 2026 - Friday, 22 May 2026 (BIP)

Monday, 25 May 2026 - Friday, 29 May 2026 (German Language and Culture Course for University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth)

Accommodation Check-In on Sunday, 17 May 2026. Schedule is subject to change.

BIP Be the Change - Advancing Urban Sustainability and Health in Metropolitan Regions is open to students from all healthcare-related fields.

Eligible participants include students from Frankfurt UAS, all U!REKA partner universities, Atlantic Technological University St. Angela's, and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

The course has a maximum capacity of 50 participants.

Students will earn 5 ECTS credits upon successful completion of the course.

Students from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth will receive 6 ECTS credits upon successful completion of the course.

One ECTS credit corresponds to 25-30 hours of student workload, including class time, readings, preparation for course activities, and assessments.

Costs

The course is free of charge for all participating universities.

Registration

The course registration deadline is March 10, 2026.

Interested students from participating partner universities should register through their International Office. After the initial registration, students will receive further instructions for the final registration from the Frankfurt Summer Universities team.