CityStudio seeks professors to train students and create solutions for urban challenges

Concordia professors, do you want to integrate real world projects in your classroom and empower your students to have an active voice in municipal policy-making? As Montreal adapts to the emerging challenges impacting its communities, the city needs creative and original solutions from Concordia’s experts.

While the COVID-19 campus closure is rapidly changing teaching activities, it inspires new learning opportunities. Operating since 2019, Concordia’s partnership with CityStudio provides a suite of engaging opportunities within the city of Montreal. It provides students a unique chance to collaborate with a network of city professionals, gain project experience, and contribute to public decision-making.

Even with online teaching, it is possible to adapt case studies and smart city challenges for your 2020-21 courses.

How it works

CityStudio Montreal matches Concordia courses from any discipline with the city’s agenda for a customized lineup of projects promoting better living.

It’s a win-win for students and the city. Students can apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their courses to prototype projects, develop critical thinking and devise creative solutions to complex urban issues. The city will benefit from a think-tank environment for experimentation and innovation.

Last year, 150 Concordia students tackled five urban challenges ranging across pedestrian safety, urban forests, smart communities and civic tech, alternative transportation, and cultural safety and urban space.

Join the initiative

CityStudio is currently developing a list of urban projects to match with courses in Fall 2020 and Winter 2020. Tentative themes include but are not limited to:

• The impact of COVID-19 on urban public spaces
• Equipment design
• New transportation modes
• Consumer behaviour
• Evolving equity/diversity/inclusion issues
• Equitable access to city services during a pandemic

Faculty are invited to attend a one-hour zoom information session on July 7 at 2 p.m. or July 8 at 10:30 a.m. to learn more about the initiative and the concept of connected courses. Please RSVP at cities@concordia.ca by July 3. Space is limited.

Formally indicate your interest in participating by completing this form by July 10. For further inquiries, contact Maude Lecourt at m.lecourt@concordia.ca.