The POLIS project aims to help create solutions to overcome environmental and social difficulties in Latin America, through the creation of a specialised programme in urban planning. This European project involves universities in Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Portugal, with participation from UIC Barcelona School of Architecture researchers Carmen Mendoza, Marta Benages, Diego Navarro and research assistant Luzgélik Delgado.
In June, UIC Barcelona hosted the working sessions for Phase 2 of the Erasmus+ POLIS project, focused on defining the skills and profile of the planner. Phase 3, led by UIC Barcelona, will involve the development of the specialization course "Urban and Territorial Planning."
The goals of this new phase of work are to provide teachers with technical and pedagogical tools that promote reskilling and strengthen their capacity to work together with local communities. At the same time, other goals include the creation of a specialisation course focused on sustainable and smart urbanism that prepares participants for a career and for the complex challenges of Latin America.
“This new work package is a fundamental step on the road to urban planning that, in line with the principles of sustainability, planning and citizen participation, contributes to improving the quality of life in Latin American cities," explains Carmen Mendoza. The European project POLIS continues to develop a profile of the urban planner in Latin America that addresses the complex environmental and social challenges specific to each region.
UIC Barcelona is participating in the project along with the University of Piura (Peru), the Jorge Basadre Grohmann National University (Peru), the Arturo Prat University (Chile), the University of La Serena (Chile), the Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil (Ecuador), the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (Ecuador) and the Polytechnic University of Coimbra (Portugal) and the INCOMA (International Consulting and Mobility Agency) based in Spain.
