The University is developing solutions to climate change in Greece
Students and faculty from the Higher Technical School of Architecture are participating in the Combined Intensive Program (BIP) in Xanthi, Greece, alongside universities from Portugal, Serbia, Turkey, and Greece in a research program research adapting cities to sustainable urban plans
28 | 04 | 2026
In March, the Greek city of Xanthi became a laboratory for architecture and urban planning after hosting the Combined Intensive Program (BIP), which brought together students and faculty from the University of Navarra and academic institutions in Turkey, Serbia, and Portugal.
Under the theme “Renovating the Contemporary City: Urban Resilience Methods for Transforming Cities Through Innovative Ideas for Adaptation to Climate Change,” researchers have participated in various seminars in which architecture and engineering students propose innovative solutions through interdisciplinary approaches.
Projects on the island of La Palma
Seven students from the University of Navarra’s School of Architecture had the opportunity to present and work on the development partnership projects partnership the island of La Palma titled “Architectural Interventions After a Natural Disaster: The Reconstruction Challenge on La Palma Island Following the Volcanic Eruption,” alongside Rubén Labiano and César Martín-Gómez, professors of architecture at the University of Navarra.
During the sessions, professors from Democritus University of Thrace (Greece), the University of Minho (Portugal), the University of Belgrade (Serbia), and Istanbul Technical University (Turkey) shared with the students their latest research on the behavior of Structures in seismic zones, on the life-cycle analysis of construction materials, and energy-saving strategies at the urban scale, explains César Martín-Gómez, Full Professor the University of Navarra.
“As students, this experience provides us with internship technical insight into cutting-edge tools for decision-making in design . Furthermore, the partnership students and professors from universities in other countries fosters exchange and encourages discussion different regulations and visions for cities. This diversity teaches us that the challenges of climate change are universal and require a collective intelligence that can only be achieved through cooperation between different countries and disciplines,” explains Nerea Rogel, a student in Master's Degree dual Master's Degree in Architecture and Real Estate Strategy and Business.