In this section, you can find audiovisual material produced by our partners during the first phase (2020–2024) and the current phase of this project, which will continue to be updated on an ongoing basis.
This fictional African cityscape is one of three regional cityscape illustrations by Uwe Lehmann. During a workshop in May 2025, the Scientific Leads of the 9 SMUS Core Partner Universities were invited to identify and discuss the wicked urban problems depicted in the cityscape of their own world region. Each group of Scientific Leads approached their cityscape differently. The Scientific Leads from Eastern and Southern Africa chose to focus on the duality of space- a dynamic urban environment in which formal and informal economies intersect, compete, and coexist.
This fictional Asian cityscape is one of three regional cityscape illustrations by Uwe Lehmann. During a workshop in May 2025, the Scientific Leads of the 9 SMUS Core Partner Universities were invited to identify and discuss the wicked urban problems depicted in the cityscape of their own world region. Each group of Scientific Leads approached their cityscape differently. The Scientific Leads from South and South-East Asia chose to focus on the shrinking availability of public transport options and its knock-on effects: environmental pressure, declining affordability, and restricted access for those who cannot pay for private alternatives.
This fictional Latin American cityscape is one of three regional cityscape illustrations by Uwe Lehmann. During a workshop in May 2025, the Scientific Leads of the 9 SMUS Core Partner Universities were invited to identify and discuss the wicked urban problems depicted in the cityscape of their own world region. Each group of Scientific Leads approached their cityscape differently. The Scientific Leads from Latin America chose to focus on the unseen city. A city in which key decisions are shaped without inclusive participation, and where essential infrastructure needs are overlooked or ignored because they lack visibility.
This timeline traces how the concept of the ecotone developed from ecology into sociology, anthropology, urban studies, and the arts. Starting from ecological boundary theory, it shows how the idea gradually expanded into a wider framework for understanding transition zones, hybrid spaces, and encounters between different systems.
In this project, three teams from Kolkata (India), Xalapa (Mexico), and Lima (Peru) co-designed KITCHENING (verb) as a collective, transversal, and intimate methodology of action-research to embark on parallel journeys through the complexities within each context, guided by their non(human) allies.
These resources were developed to offer archaeology, history and other students materials to enhance their appreciation and understanding of the Great Zimbabwe National Monument, thereby enriching their learning experience. The resources were gathered in the context of the SARDC Teaching on-site workshop which took place from October 2nd to 6th, 2023, at the Great Zimbabwe historical site. The workshop allowed students from three SMUS partner universities to acquire new theoretical knowledge, learn about responsible research practices, gain exposure to archaeological sites, interact with advanced academics and learn about the importance of stakeholder and community engagement. The workshop also benefited the more advanced researchers in the group by strengthening their teaching skills, facilitating knowledge sharing amongst peers, and facilitating greater interdisciplinary understanding and cooperation.
This 5-episode podcast special offers insights on decolonisation from Professor Ndlovu-Gatsheni a leading decolonial theorist with over a hundred publications in the fields of African history, African politics, African development and decolonial theory. We invite you to listen to the episodes and explore the accompanying resources, including reading lists, maps, and timelines, to deepen your understanding of decolonisation, The interview series is also available as an 11-part video series.
Most of the problems that urban areas are facing today are complex and interconnected. So-called WICKED URBAN PROBLEMS cannot be solved in a linear way, nor can they be addressed from one perspective or worldview. A transdisciplinary approach has become key.