24 September 2021

Linköping University has become a partner in an EU initiative working with the design of our future forms of living. LiU is a leading academic centre in Sweden for education and research in design.

The New European Bauhaus is an interdisciplinary EU initiative intended to be a meeting place for the design of sustainable and inclusive forms of living. It was set up by President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in January 2021, and is part of the EU’s green transition.

“LiU has been included as partner due to its extensive design activities with their large breadth. Our research covers urban and regional planning, handicraft and design, and design in product development. LiU can both contribute and benefit from this initiative”, says Stefan Holmlid, professor of service design in the Department of Computer and Information Science.

The concept of forms of living has traditionally focussed on urban development and architecture.

“Design will be a further component now when we investigate forms of living. The items we use and the services we build are also part of our living space”, says Stefan Holmlid.

He sees the New European Bauhaus creating opportunities for LiU to disseminate in a new arena the knowledge that has been gained here for many years.

“The New European Bauhaus can become a platform from which to influence EU policy and development programmes when it comes to forms of living.”

Stefan Holmlid believes that the initiative can also lead to design becoming more central in knowledge development within sustainability.

“This is a recognition that design is a field of knowledge that is highly relevant, one that deserves more attention.”

LiU is planning to arrange several activities in the coming year associated with the New European Bauhaus.

More information about the New European Bauhaus is available on the EU website:


Translated by George Farrants

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