Are you dedicated to making mobility accessible for all? Do you believe in creating cities that accommodate everyone, regardless of ability, age, or background? Join us for the Inclusive Mobility Summer School 2025, brought to you by Ghent University and EIT Urban Mobility. This immersive experience focuses on building cities that promote accessibility and equity for all users.
As a participant, you'll gain hands-on experience with the challenges of providing sustainable and inclusive mobility, exploring ways to enhance physical accessibility, affordability, and information access. You will engage with these topics during expert-led lectures, workshops, collaborative projects, and numerous networking opportunities with other participants. Additionally, you can also obtain 3 ECTS upon completing the course.
Don’t miss this opportunity to drive meaningful change and advance your career in inclusive mobility!
Introduction
While sustainable mobility is often in the spotlight, “inclusive mobility” deserves more attention. Many innovative transportation solutions in cities like Ghent, tend to cater to young able-bodied adults. However, nearly a third of the population includes people with reduced mobility (PRM). This means we need to explore better ways to make mobility options like shared transport and tech-based services accessible for everyone.
Cities are starting to focus more on inclusive transportation, but challenges remain. Beyond physical accessibility, affordability and clear information are crucial factors that are often overlooked. There’s also a need to learn more about the unique needs, preferences, and travel habits of various vulnerable groups, such as how often they travel, how long their trips take, and which modes they prefer.
Through our Summer School, we aim to raise awareness and help create solutions that make mobility work for everyone.
Contents & methods
During the Summer School, participants will work closely with academic researchers, industry leaders, and government experts to explore solutions for inclusive mobility. They will learn how to enhance their technical skills with a focus on creating social value that improves mobility for vulnerable groups. The programme emphasises hands-on collaboration, where participants tackle real-world business cases from industry partners and public organisations, fostering teamwork and innovation to address pressing mobility challenges.
The Summer School offers a dynamic learning experience through lectures, workshops, and collaborative teamwork, enabling participants to engage in personalised learning while fostering valuable peer-to-peer exchanges. At the end of the programme, participants present their insights and innovative ideas to a jury, receiving feedback, guidance, and resources to support their future career growth.
The main goals that will be covered are:
- Understanding the travel needs, preferences and challenges experienced by vulnerable groups;
- Transforming inclusive urban mobility challenges into innovative value propositions;
- Building value propositions into comprehensive business solutions.
All lecture and classroom materials are included, and upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate of participation, signed by the EIT Urban Mobility.
Is this Summer School right for you?
This Summer School is for those passionate about inclusive urban mobility, whether you're a master student, PhD student, or an experienced professional. Our programme welcomes diverse backgrounds, from technical fields like engineering and computer science to social sciences such as sociology, urban planning, and policy.
If you’re genuinely interested in the Summer School but uncertain about how well you fit into the program, we encourage you to reach out to us. We’d be happy to discuss your background, interests, and goals to help determine how you can make the most of this opportunity. Together, we can explore how the program aligns with your aspirations and ensure a valuable experience for you.
Information guide and programme
Stay tuned! The programme and guide will be available on this page as soon as they're ready. Check back soon for updates!
The agenda will follow this general structure:
Dates & locations
The Summer School will take place in the historic city of Ghent, Belgium, from June 26 to July 4, 2025.
The Summer School will be held in the Sint-Baafshuis, located right next to the Saint Bavo's Cathedral, in the heart of the historical city centre, in walkable distance from all major attractions in Ghent. This venue offers an ideal environment to stimulate exciting discussions and facilitate a collaborative learning experience..
Accommodation
Hotel Ibis
The 3-star ibis Gent Centrum Opera is situated in the heart of historic Ghent, just a 2-minute walk from the Flemish Opera House and a 10-minute stroll from Saint Bavo's Cathedral, the Belfry of Ghent, and Korenmarkt Square.
Each room at Hotel ibis Gent Centrum Opera features a private bathroom, TV, and complimentary WiFi, accessible throughout the hotel. A daily breakfast buffet is offered, and the 24-hour bar serves a variety of drinks and snacks, with additional dining options just a few minutes' walk away.
The hotel is close to shopping hotspots, with City Shopping Centre Gent Zuid only an 8-minute walk away and Veldstraat Shopping District just 3 minutes on foot. The Castle of the Counts is a short 10-minute walk, while Ghent Saint Peter's Train Station is conveniently located 2.6 km from the property.
Fees
The registration fees cover not only the participation in the programme, but also eight nights of accommodation, most meals, social activities, and much more. Registration options without accommodation are also available. Participants remain responsible for covering their own travel cost to/from the City of Ghent, Belgium, where the Summer School is held.
| Registration fees | Early bird 1 | Regular |
|---|---|---|
| Standard registration | EUR 1300 | EUR 1600 |
| Students from EU countries | EUR 1100 | EUR 1300 |
| Students from low/medium income countries2 | EUR 900 | EUR 1100 |
| Registration only, with no accommodation | EUR 650 | EUR 850 |
| UGent PhD students3 | FUNDED | FUNDED |
- 1 Early bird deadline is on March 31.
- 2 Countries in low/lower-middle/upper-middle categories are eligible for the reduced fee. The full list can be found here: datahelpdesk.worldbank.org.
- 3 Up to 10 UGent PhD students can participate with registration fees covered by UGent Doctoral Schools, with the support of the Flemish Government.
How to apply
To apply for the summer school, please complete this form including the requested attachments - your CV and a short motivation letter explaining your interest in participating in the programme. The deadline for applications is April 15, 2025, or until the maximum capacity is reached. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so the sooner you apply, the higher your chance of securing a spot!
For early bird fee benefits, register by March 31, 2025!
Note 1: Participants requiring a Schengen visa to travel to the EU should apply no later than March 15.
Note 2: For applications without accommodation, the registration deadline is more flexible, and late applicants could be still admitted if space in the summer school is still available. Contact the organisers by email if you want to apply after April 15.
Study credentials
The summer school has a value of 3 ECTS credits. To include the credits in the curriculum at the home institution, participants need an agreement with the responsible person at their university. A certificate of participation will be awarded at the end of the programme.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Organizing team
- Giovanni Circella, BOF Professor of Mobility, Ghent University
- Frank Witlox, Senior Full Professor and Head of Department of Geography, Ghent University
- Hannah Hook, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Ghent University
- Jana Ameye, Conference Manager, Ghent University
- Martin Pavlović, EIT Urban Mobility Programme Support, Ghent University
- Maria Alejandra Gaitan, Student Assistant, Ghent University
- Andrea González De la Cerda, Student Assistant, Ghent University
With the support of:
Social activities
Saturday – Ghent tourAs part of the social activities of the EIT Urban Mobility Ghent Summer School, participants will explore the vibrant city of Ghent, a hidden gem known for its blend of medieval history and modern energy. A highlight of the visit will be a tour of the Gravensteen, the iconic 12th-century castle with breathtaking views and fascinating exhibits about Ghent's past. Also, participants will enjoy a relaxing boat tour along the city’s picturesque canals, offering a unique perspective of Ghent’s stunning architecture and charming streets.
Participants will also enjoy a one-day excursion to Bruges, one of Belgium's most enchanting cities. Bruges offers medieval charm, scenic canals, and vibrant cultural history. Participants will enjoy a walk through the picturesque streets, visits to iconic landmarks such as the Belfry of Bruges and Market Square, and exploring the stunning views along the canals. Participants will also have time to explore local artisan shops, sample famous Belgian chocolate, and enjoy the city's warm atmosphere, creating lasting memories and fostering connections beyond the classroom.
On Monday afternoon, participants will have the choice between walk and bike tours of the city of Ghent, which will provide a great opportunity to explore the city's transport infrastructure and discuss mobility challenges in their real-world context
Necessary arrangements will be made to accommodate participants with reduced mobility.