During 2015 and 2016 Steen Andersen was co-initiator, co-creator, and workshop lecturer of the summer school “Urban Culture in Theory and Action” in the heart of Copenhagen where students from across the world get an opportunity to move from analyzing problems in urban societies to creating possible solutions and identifying potentials in urban space by formulating and planning research-based projects.
Video by University of Copenhagen, 2015
The summer school “Urban Culture in Theory and Action” was organized in an unique privat-public collaboration with Copenhagen University (Rasmus Elling, Associate Professor at the Department for Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies), the electronic music and event organization Strøm (Frederik Birket-Smith, Director and Lars Juhl, Head of Strøm School), the co-creative working community PB43 (Steen Andersen, co-ordinator), and other partners in Copenhagen (N55, Illegal!, Det Runde Bord, Bureau Detours etc.) the summer school combines academic theory with the experiences and know-how of seasoned practitioners to help the students formulate, plan and execute cultural or social projects in urban space. The aim of the course is thus to give students the tools for translating their academic skills and knowledge into concrete projects for change in cities.
During the summer school, students immerse in theories of urban culture, the social production of space and cultural interventions in urban space. Students will be trained in identifying and discussing problems and potentials relating to culture and urban societies; formulating research-based projects for implementation; and applying knowledge about social entrepreneurship and innovation processes.
The summer school is organized around case-based learning by focusing on a specific site in Copenhagen as a laboratory for exploration. The teaching is underpinned by a do-it-yourself philosophy and a cross-cultural perspective on urban development. Through lectures, workshops, seminars, tutorials and field trips, students in groups will engage with a range of actors, including cultural practitioners, activists, social entrepreneurs, municipal authorities and private businesses, as well as with urban theorists.
For further info: Urban Culture in Theory and Action