PIONEER SDG11 Winter School

PIONEER Alliance (Image: Universität Zilina)

The PIONEER SDG11 Winter School is an annual conference organised by the PIONEER Alliance at TH Köln that explores topics related to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 "Sustainable Cities and Communities".

The conference is specifically aimed at young and aspiring researchers from the ten PIONEER partner universities who want to gain their first experience of international conferences and scientific interaction.

The conference, which is peer-reviewed by international experts, will take place from 24-27 February 2026 at TH Köln and offers a supporting programme with key notes, excursions and workshops.

The overarching theme of the conference is inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, section 11 (SDG 11). This includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

• Inclusive, healthy and sustainable urbanisation, urban planning and development
• Environmental impacts, their measurement and reduction
• Nature in the city
• Sustainable urban mobility
• Digital transformations and smart cities
• Resource efficiency
• Civic engagement and outreach
• Disaster risk reduction and other urban resilience measures

Only members of PIONEER partner universities are eligible to participate. Participants are currently enrolled in a Master's programme, are working towards a doctorate or are postdocs working in research.

Please make your contributions available by email to pioneer-alliance@th-koeln.de.

Documents are to be submitted as pdf files.

A maximum of 20 contributions can be accepted.

We ask for approximately two contributions per PIONEER university.

The peer review will be organised by the conference management.

Cologne, famous for its Gothic cathedral, is the fourth largest city in Germany and is located in the Rhineland in western Germany. The city combines more than 2000 years of history with a lively, culturally diverse atmosphere and strong local traditions, such as the famous carnival celebrations during the so-called ‘fifth season’.

You can find more information about the city of Cologne here.

The PIONEER SDG11 Winter School at TH Köln is led by:

Prof. Dr. Eike Permin (Faculty of Computer science and Engineering Science)

Carlo Federico dall'Omo, PhD (Università IUAV die Venezia, IT)

Recognised experts from the range of SDG 11 topics will contribute to the Winter School. The lecturers come from TH Köln, its scientific ecosyste and the PIONEER partner universities.

The Technische Hochschule Köln - TH Köln for short - sees itself as a university of technology, arts and sciences. With its disciplinary and cultural diversity and openness, it shapes social innovation and makes substantial contributions to solving social challenges. We form a community of teachers and students and see ourselves as a learning organisation that breaks new ground.

The range of subjects includes Applied Natural Sciences; Architecture and Civil Engineering; Information and Communication; Computer Science; Engineering; Culture, Society and Social Affairs; and Business. In addition to the full-time model, some of the 43 Bachelor's and more than 50 Master's degree programmes also offer opportunities for dual or part-time study.

As a place for research-based learning and academic education, the university also promotes young academics through co-operative doctoral projects. Every year, around 4,700 students enrol on a degree programme at TH Köln. In total, over 21,000 students from around 120 countries contribute their potential together with 440 professors and a further 1,600 employees.

Research focuses on future issues such as climate change, energy supply, food security and demographic change; in developing solution strategies and shaping the most important issues of our time, the researchers contribute their specialist expertise in interdisciplinary cooperation. They work closely with local, national and international cooperation partners, including 290 universities abroad. The university offers its researchers an attractive working environment.

Find out more about TH Köln here.

Participation in the Winter School opens up valuable opportunities for professional and scientific development:

• Gain valuable insights into current SDG11-related research topics and trends
• Gain experience by participating in an international research conference
• Have your research paper published in a conference publication
• Learn from scientists and professionals from TH Köln and the PIONEER Alliance
• Experience the research environment at TH Köln
• Meet and exchange ideas with colleagues from TH Köln and PIONEER Alliance partner institutions
• Establish relationships for future joint research projects

How to get to Cologne

Cologne is easy to reach by train and plane.

The nearest airport is Cologne/Bonn (CGN). Alternatively, the airports of Düsseldorf (DUS) and Frankfurt (FRA) are also possible destinations.

Public transportation in Cologne

Cologne public transportation authority

Accommodations

Cologne offers accommodation at all levels of comfort and cost. Visit the usual booking portals or, for example, the ‘Kölntourismus’ internet portal.

Costs

The conference is free of charge for participants. Travel and accommodation costs may be subsidised by other measures. Please contact your university.

Catering

The Winter School offers free catering as specified in the tentative pürogramme. This includes a conference dinner, lunches and coffee breaks.

Event Location

TH Köln | Campus Südstadt | Ubierring 48 | 50678 Köln

Google Maps

Event Location Tram Stops

1.      Severinstraße

2.      Chlodwigplatz

3.      Ubierring (am nächsten)