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The importance of applied research on the way to green and sustainable cities.

U!REKA European University can help cities in the climate transition. As an alliance of applied universities, U!REKA contributes to the development of specific solutions, based on a multi-stakeholder approach, with focus on education, research, innovation and service to society. That was the main message during the UIREKA workshop at the European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC) in Brussels (13-15 October), where two projects were presented as good practices of collaboration between universities of applied sciences and cities: one in Ghent, another in Helsinki. In this article, we focus on Ghent.

“When cities need academic insights related to an aspect of urban development, they mainly turn to universities and they tend to overlook universities of applied sciences”, Liesbet Cosyn says, U!REKA coordinator at HOGENT, who presented at EWCR the REWILD project, a collaboration between HOGENT and the city of Ghent. “Nevertheless, research conducted by universities of applied sciences complements the fundamental research carried out by universities and is much more focused on tangible applications and solutions”, she continues.

Soil softening and greening

The REWILD project, in which two research centres of HOGENT are involved – eCO-CITY and Sustainable Land Use and Mobility, in collaboration with the City of Ghent, proves the added value of applied research. The project, co-funded by the EU, aims to accelerate the green transformation of Ghent. More specifically, it focuses on both soil softening and greening, in places where there is an increasing need for space to work and live.

Through applied research and numerous actual projects on its campuses, HOGENT has acquired specific knowledge and experience in the areas of soil softening, water infiltration, biodiversity, and greening. “This kind of experience and knowledge is at least as valuable as the academic research of the university. It’s not one thing or the other: both approaches are complementary ànd necessary”, Liesbet claims. “Unfortunately, European funding is almost exclusively focused on the number of scientific publications and rankings rather than on the practical applicability and impact of research.”

Quadruple helix

By cooperating within the ‘quadruple helix’ – government, industry, higher education, and civil society – the REWILD project will increase the pace and scale of urban greening efforts, mobilising both public and private partners. It addresses social, technical and financial stumbling blocks and the development of a number of local pilots. The project is based on co-creation concerning innovative greening methods, financial models, cost-efficient maintenance.

The output consists of a systematic and pragmatic framework that can operate with limited resources, while maintaining a fair distribution of responsibilities and benefits. The REWILD project aims to serve as a model for other European cities. The U!REKA European University can act as a facilitator. Because thanks to its strong network and knowhow, U!REKA has already secured considerable European funding for various projects.

“European funding is almost exclusively focused on scientific publications and rankings rather than on the practical applicability and impact of research.”

Liesbet Cosyn,
U!REKA coordinator HOGENT