Innovative Practice-Oriented Approach in Teaching Urban Sustainability and Energy Transition

The chapter introduces and discusses an innovative educational approach to complement new and existing architecture and spatial planning courses with a perspective focusing on the governance of urban sustainability and energy transition. The authors’ reflections are based on the development and elaboration of a teaching Curriculum on Urban Transition Energy (CUTE) within the framework of the ERASMUS+ Strategic Partnership for Higher Education LOTUS (Locally Organized Transition of Urban Sustainable Spaces). The curriculum is conceived as an adaptable and interdisciplinary framework to critically understand urban sustainability and energy transition governance in existing social, economic, and institutional contexts. To this aim, the curriculum adopts a practice-oriented approach that is based on the integration between ex cathedra lessons, the presentation of real-word cases, and the engagement of students through practical exercises and serious gaming. The chapter unfolds a number of issues in urban sustainability and energy transition to be considered in the development and integration of the CUTE, focusing more in detail on new and renovated forms of partnerships among public authorities and local actors in the pursuit of sustainable energy policies. Overall, the discussed issues are crucial for rethinking higher education paths for future planners and architects, with the long-term aim of enabling European cities and communities to implement sustainable energy transition policies and practices.