HOS MEETING 2026 - ÅS, March 11-14
Planning Resilient Communities in Uncertain Times: Navigating Climate Change and Emerging Technologies

Global North and South

Globally, scholars have demonstrated that urban growth and urbanization have a significant impact on climate change and the environment. This impact is evident in both the Global North and the Global South, though the challenges and solutions often differ due to varying levels of development, resource access, and social priorities. In recent years, experts from various disciplines have increasingly focused on strategies to adapt to the consequences of climate change. These efforts include conserving biodiversity, protecting water resources, and improving micro-climates within cities and regions to enhance resilience and sustainability. In the EU, for example, such strategies align with the ambitious goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, a target that has inspired innovations in urban planning and technological integration. Globally, the adoption and integration of new technologies have become a key priority to achieve long-term sustainability, with tailored approaches required to address the unique needs of both developed and developing contexts in the Global North and South.

Challenges

Schools of planning play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by contributing knowledge, data analysis, strategies and practices that strengthen the adaptive capacity of the built environment in response to climate change. Alongside tackling critical environmental issues, these institutions are placing greater emphasis on the potential of emerging technologies. Planning Schools contribute to developing new tools and solutions based on technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) in fields such as green mobility, energy transitions, social and ecological innovation, and are able to educate future planners in skills and expertise required to navigate increasingly complex urban challenges. Furthermore, planning education is evolving to equip future planners with the skills and expertise needed to navigate these increasingly complex issues.

Growing complexity

In this context, the HoS event aims to foster an inspiring and dynamic debate among schools of planning. Discussions will center on the core environmental and technological topics that shape their research agendas and educational programs. Particular attention will be given to addressing the growing complexity of environmental and societal challenges, emphasizing the importance of transdisciplinary approaches. Additionally, the event will highlight the pivotal role of these institutions in preparing the next generation of planners and related professionals to navigate this complexity and tackle the environmental and technological challenges of the future.

General Program

11 March 2026
EXCO MEETING
Members will gather for a full day at the Cirkus building to discuss AESOP activities, the budget, and plans for future events.
12 March 2026
COREP MEETING
Council Representatives from various European schools will meet for a full day at Realtek building to deliberate on ongoing activities and vote on upcoming initiatives.
13 March 2026
HOS MEETING
The Heads of School will meet at the Bikuben building: keynote speeches in the morning, followed by four workshops in the afternoon.
- Oslofjord – Inter-disciplinary master project
- Oslofjord - the fringe between urban development and fjord
- Hovinbyen as an urban transformation area

EXCO MEETING | MARCH 11

Location: C213, Cirkus, NMBU Campus

Welcoming
By the Dean, Head of Department, and Local Organizers
9:30 - 10:00
ExCo meeting
10:00 - 10:30
Coffee break
10:30 - 12:30
ExCo meeting
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch
Location: First Floor, Cirkus
13:30 - 15:30
ExCo meeting
15:30 - 16:00
Coffee break
16:00 - 18:00
ExCo meeting

COREP MEETING | MARCH 12

Location: TF3 Building, Realtek, NMBU Campus

9:00 - 9:30
Welcoming
By the Dean, Head of Department, and Local Organizers
9:30 - 11:00
CoRep meeting
11:00 - 11:30
Coffee break
11:30 - 12:30
CoRep meeting
12:30 - 13:00
Lunch
Location: TF3 Building
13:00 - 15:30
CoRep meeting
15:30 - 16:00
Coffee break
16:00 - 18:00
CoRep meeting

HEADS OF SCHOOLS EVENT | MARCH 13

Location: Gullvepsen, Bikuben, NMBU campus

09.00-9-30
Welcoming
By the Dean, Head of Department, and Local Organizers
Keynote Speaker: Andrea Frank
Keynote Speaker: Siri Eriksen
11:00 - 11:30
Coffee break
11:30 - 12:30
Panel Discussion
Panelists: Andrea Frank, Siri Eriksen, and a practitioner of City of Oslo
Moderated by: Matthew Cashmore Matthew Cashmore | NMBU (NMBU)
Format: Interactive session with audience participation
Location: On the top of the auditorium at Bikuben
The QR Program by the EEB
Workshop 1: Reflecting on Interdisciplinary Masterclass as a Learning Arena Across Institutions and Planning Schools - Fostering Environmental and Technological Opportunities
Location: Admiralen, Bikuben
Workshop 2: Educating Planners for Dealing with Complex Trade-offs in Climate Mitigation and Adaptation
Location: Insikt Room, School of Veterinary
15:30 - 16:00
Coffee break
Workshop 3: Showcasing Pedagogical Practices of Awarded AESOP QR Planning Programs and NMBU's Role in Tackling Environmental and Technological Challenges
Location: Admiralen, Bikuben
Workshop 4: Teaching Planning in the Age of AI, Digital Twins, and Remote Sensing
Location: Insikt Room, School of Veterinary
18:00 - 18:45
Guided indoor tour of the historic buildings on the NMBU Campus
Location: Ås Bistro (located in front of the Ås train station)

CITY TOURS | MARCH 14

Oslofjord – Inter-disciplinary master project
Oslofjord - the fringe between urban development and the fjord
Hovinbyen as a transformation area of planning and development

Keynote Speakers

/Andrea%20Frank
University of Birmingham
KEYNOTE 1 - Urban and Spatial Planning - Leadership in the age of Super-complexity
/Siri%20Eriksen
Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
KEYNOTE 2 - Can climate resilient development be transformative? The politics of shifting technology, practice and governance

Local Organising Committee