University-City learning for sustainable and inclusive urban futures: Two community-based action research experiences in Europe
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Abstract
Universities face growing pressure to align teaching with urgent social, economic, and environmental challenges in their territories. This article examines how community-based action research (CBAR) pedagogies can foster reciprocal university-city learning through two initiatives at Roskilde University and Mondragon University. Drawing on documents, student work, surveys, interviews and field notes, the comparative analysis shows how CBAR principles were enacted through project-oriented and challenge-based work, design thinking, and shared civic infrastructures. The article shows how CBAR can reposition universities as civic partners in urban transformation while exposing tensions around time, power, and participation.
Keywords: university-city relations, community-based action research, urban transformation, PPL, design thinking
Aprendizajes sobre la relación universidad-ciudad para futuros urbanos sostenibles e inclusivos: dos experiencias de investigación-acción comunitaria en Europa
Las universidades afrontan una presión creciente para que su docencia e investigación respondan a retos sociales, económicos y ambientales de su entorno más cercano. Este artículo analiza cómo las pedagogías basadas en la investigación-acción comunitaria pueden favorecer un aprendizaje recíproco universidad-ciudad, mediante el análisis de dos iniciativas desarrolladas en la Universidad de Roskilde y la Universidad de Mondragón. A partir del análisis realizado de documentos, trabajos estudiantiles, encuestas, entrevistas y notas de campo, el artículo muestra cómo se han articulado los principios de la investigación-acción comunitaria mediante proyectos basados en problemas y retos, el pensamiento de diseño y el uso de infraestructuras cívicas compartidas. El artículo sostiene que las pedagogías basadas en la investigación-acción comunitaria pueden reposicionar a las universidades como agentes de transformación urbana, al tiempo que hace visibles tensiones en torno a los tiempos, las relaciones de poder y la participación.
Palabras clave: relación universidad-ciudad, investigación-acción comunitaria, transformación urbana, PPL, design thinking
Bibliography: Flores-Puga, Beñat/Andersen, John/Zuberogoitia, Aitor /Frandsen, Martin Severin/Delica, Kristian Nagel: University-City learning for sustainable and inclusive urban futures: Two community-based action research experiences in Europe, IJAR – International Journal of Action Research, 3-2025, pp. 242-263.
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