The Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology received a distinction in the prestigious international competition The UIA Award for Innovation in Architectural Education. The award was granted for the original program of design classes in the field of revitalization, which was implemented and improved for several years, led by Dr Hab. Eng. Arch. Michał Stangel, Prof. SUT.

At the Department of Urban and Spatial Planning, projects concerning realistic challenges of degraded areas, including post-mining areas, have been carried out during revitalization classes for many years on behalf of external entities. The latest version of such cooperation is the Regional Observatory of the Transformation Process (ROPT) 2.0 – a research and development initiative implemented by the Marshal’s Office of the Silesian Voivodeship, the Mining Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the University of Economics in Katowice and the Silesian University of Technology, on the initiative of Dr Hab. Adam Drobniak, Prof. UE.

The project develops scenarios for the revitalization of post-mining areas in the spirit of sustainable development and circular economy. The curriculum includes spatial and economic analyses, study visits with municipalities and the mining sector, expert seminars, and the development of project concepts, constituting an important platform for regional cooperation. The spatial part of the Faculty of Architecture, implemented under the scientific-research agreement, is led by Dr Hab. Michał Stangel. The topic is directly connected with POB4 and the topics of EURECA-PRO and HI-EURECA-PRO, and the experience of circular economy and industrial heritage processing has been used in the teaching process.

The project received an award from the International Union of Architects in the UIA Award for Innovation in Architectural Education. Out of more than 60 entries, five awards and four distinctions were granted.