In Finnish university student culture, study excursions are among the most long-awaited events as they offer the students an opportunity to meet professionals in the field and learn more about the current trends and visions. In November 2024, Urbanum ry, the Guild of Sustainable Urban Development at Tampere University, organised a study excursion abroad which took place in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Brussels. These destinations showcased diverse approaches to urban development, offering firsthand experiences of fresh and innovative solutions outside our study programme. This excursion was Urbanum’s first-ever excursion abroad, marking an important milestone in the guild’s timeline. In addition to company visits, students of Urbanum had the opportunity to go on a canal tour in Amsterdam and meet with International Students Rotterdam, who introduced us to the local student culture.
The choice of company visits reflected the multidisciplinary nature of the Sustainable Urban Development degree programme, which combines students from the fields of Administrative Sciences, Social Sciences, and Technology. In total, the students visited four companies and organisations, each representing a unique aspect of urban development and planning.
Metabolic is a consultancy and venture-building company based in Amsterdam that strives for sustainability and circular economies through systems thinking, data science, and innovation. They invited the group for a tour of De Ceuvel, a former shipyard site, which was transformed from a polluted and abandoned plot into a sustainability hub powered by community participation and recycling. By repurposing the plot, De Ceuvel exemplifies a success story of decentralised systems that enable a close-loop circulation of resources without burdening the local environment. During the tour, the students were introduced to the implemented systems, such as aquaponics greenhouse, phytoremediation, and decentralised wastewater treatment. Additionally, Metabolic provided a valuable lesson of stakeholder empowerment and community building in creating innovative, realistic, and authentic urban development.
After taking the train from Amsterdam to Rotterdam, the students were hosted by Defacto Urbanism, a firm specialising in urban and landscape design. With climate adaptation and green cities as their core guiding principles, they presented past and ongoing projects focusing on spatial strategies and designs. It was fascinating to learn how their projects, both in the Netherlands and overseas, are all connected by harnessing local- and nature-based solutions. Instead of a “one-size-fits-all” approach, Defacto Urbanism emphasises drawing inspiration from local resources and needs to ensure the longevity and continuance of the development. They also provided an insightful perspective on water management which is a topical issue in the Dutch context.
In Brussels, which was the final destination of the trip, the group had the privilege to visit the Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities (Kuntaliitto) and the European Commission. The Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities briefed on their role in bridging Finland and the European Union (EU) in the field of regional and local governance. Advocating for Finnish municipalities to Members of the European Parliament and translating EU decisions to the Finnish context, the association plays a critical role as an intermediary between local, national, and global levels. While hearing about their strategic approaches and projects, the students learnt about the value of perseverance and effective collaboration in an international working environment.
Finally, the students did their final visit to the European Commission which first gave us a comprehensive overview of the EU’s operation, followed by a presentation on their approaches to regional policy. The students had the chance to dive into the world of policymaking which marks the ultimate framework for all urban development efforts. There was a thought-provoking conversation on the EU’s efforts to promote cohesion and sustainable development equally across all member states. The presentation highlighted the role of economic balance and financial redistribution in enhancing social and environmental welfare throughout Europe, not only in major growth centres. Students were emphasised the importance of multi-level governance and transnational cooperation in promoting inclusive growth.
During the study excursion, the students of Urbanum ry created lifelong memories and gained inspiration toward their future career paths. The companies and organisations visited by the students provided real-life examples and relevant case studies in sustainable urban development, which will be important lessons to reflect on as future experts in the field. As students, it was meaningful to see the diversity of professions and careers in our field, encouraging us to follow our passions and develop our expertise to make an impact. Overall, the trip was a great success, sparking an interest in continuing the tradition of study excursions abroad in the future. Urbanum ry thanks STUE for the partnership and for making this unforgettable study excursion possible!
Ella Hyvärinen is a student in the Bachelor’s degree programme in Sustainable Urban Development. Alongside her studies, she volunteered in her guild, Urbanum ry, as an Excursion Officer, organising study excursions in Finland and abroad in 2024.
