Urban Spatial Dimension
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Spain
Conceptualizing and Assessing “Transitional Urban Spaces” through Virtual Reality Experiments
This doctoral thesis explores the concept of “transitional urban spaces” — urban environments that play a key role in helping cities adapt to new realities — and their potential to drive sustainable mobility transitions in European contexts. The research will examine how these spaces have emerged and evolved over time, and how they might shape future urban transformations. The aim is to develop a robust conceptual framework and test it through real-world case studies. To make these transformations tangible and immersive, the doctoral candidate will collaborate with the Vir2All Lab (UPM) to simulate future urban environments using virtual reality (VR). While advanced visualization tools such as CityEngine, Blender, and Unity will be employed, all technical development will be carried out with the support of an experienced VR team, allowing the candidate to focus on the urban, social, and strategic dimensions of the research. The candidate will have the opportunity to engage with case studies across Europe, participate in secondments with leading institutions, and contribute to the goals of the TRANSFORM network, which aims to foster more inclusive, resilient, and efficient urban mobility systems. This project is ideal for candidates with a background in urban studies, geography, planning, design, or related fields, who are interested in combining conceptual and applied research with the use of innovative digital tools.
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Application Deadline :
June 6, 2025