Evidence for anthropogenic climate change is not only scientifically undeniable, but the hydro-meteorological consequences are plainly reflected in the day-to-day lived experience of urban and rural dwellers everywhere. The present emphasis is no longer on the ‘science’ of climate change but the social and economic consequences of policies and proposals to adapt to and/or mitigate the negative consequences of climate change. At the same time, the ecological crisis brought about by anthropogenic actions have diminished human ability to respond to climate change. The role of cities in both contributing to the problem as well as to act as engines of change are only now gaining traction. And the need to achieve such changes in an equitable, sustainable, and effective manner is now more widely recognised.

However, in the context of addressing what the UN calls the “triple crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste” urban action needs to be cognizant of three broad factors. On the one hand, there is still a mismatch in the scientific understanding of the processes that drive climate change (global) and their impact (mostly local). Despite the vital role of cities, urban-scale climates are poorly represented in global climate science (both in observations and models). It is only now that the IPCC process had begun to pay special attention to cities (with the first ever Special Report on Cities not being ready for release until the 7^th Assessment Report of the IPCC in 2026). There is thus a need to observe, model and predict urban climate – i.e. the study of the science of urban climate.

Secondly, there is a need to translate rapid developments in urban climate into relevant policy landscapes fit for urgent action. In the EU, such policy translation should be cognizant of the European Green Deal (which proposes a holistic strategy to decouple economic growth from the use of resources and achieve carbon neutrality by “mainstreaming sustainability in all EU policies”) and the New European Bauhaus (solutions that are not only “sustainable, but also inclusive and beautiful, while respecting the diversity of places, traditions, and cultures in Europe and beyond.”)  These two policy options are intricately linked, as envisaged by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission – “If the European Green Deal has a soul, then it is the New European Bauhaus which has led to an explosion of creativity across our Union”. These policy objectives seek to engage people at a neighbourhood levels, aim to provide tools and guidance and offer context-specific solutions, incorporating stakeholder views in the process of design and implementation, with the aim to prioritising people and social inclusion but also the economy to boost competitiveness and EU strategic autonomy. Thus, the policy landscape call for a more nuanced understanding of the role of urban planning in addressing climate change in a sustainable and inclusive manner.

Third, despite the overwhelming scientific evidence to, and experiential awareness of the consequences of, climate change, there is unprecedented pushback against specific policies and proposals to address climate change. It appears economic growth, marketing; and pronatalism drive this pushback. Climate action is often seen as politically polarising which is not helped in cities by the fact that much of the action needed to control greenhouse gas emissions are not within the control of cities themselves. To gain political traction and to achieve lasting change, we need better evidence, presented, and messaged in a convincing manner, led by local champions (and trusted ambassadors) to convey the message and bottom-up partnership building. In other words, urban climate action needs agents to manage and lead the change in behaviours and actions.

The current multiplication of specialists cannot answer the above-articulated three-pronged need for a professional with an overview of the issues of urban quality of life, with ability to manage the development process and give leadership. Central to this is the promotion of sustainable, climate sensitive urban growth with mutual understanding between professions. Such an inclusive and integrated education approach targeting urban and global climate change has started with the MUrCS programme, but it requires further improvement and expansion.

Considering the above, a need exists for a common qualification which allows:

• existing urban professionals to acquire new competencies in the emerging areas of data science, urban climate-sensitive design, sustainability leadership, circular and nature-based urban economy; and
• those with a multidisciplinary data, science, management, and environmental background to specialise in the sustainable leadership and management of urban climate change in an urban/built environment context.

We propose to achieve this by the integration of thematic knowledge on three professional streams (Planning and Management informed by adaptation and mitigation Science) as shown in the illustration above and fed by specific cutting-edge competencies in data science, NbS, Circular Economy and Sustainability Championing. We aim to link these into a coherent curriculum that produces the next generation of thought leaders able to manage urban climate change in a sustainable manner. Given the thematic expertise brought together by the Consortium, jointly developed and delivered curriculum through prior collaborative experience in the MUrCS Project, added strengths in the expanded consortium in emerging complimentary key areas, diverse world of work experience brought to the project by the panel of working life AP’s, unique mobility pathways that inculcate subject-specific knowledge as well as transverse skills in inter-cultural awareness, languages, entrepreneurship and employability will enable MUrCS⁺ graduates to lead and manage urban climate change based on strong scientific evidence while being able to work within the planning paradigm, leading to equitable urban growth. Additionally, transversal skills will include ability to use initiative, taking responsibility, solve problems in creative and innovative ways, make decisions in challenging situations and continuous professional development. They will be able to apply facts and concepts to real urban problems and systems – through an integrated Summer School/Placement activity in summer and a PBL approach (Problem-based Learning) in Urban Climate and Sustainability, PLUCS in Year 2, real world-oriented and AP-facilitated case studies as thesis topics and working closely with external actors to concretize the learning. Thus, MUrCS⁺ will provide professional pathways in leading sustainable urban climate change adaptation / mitigation for both existing urban professionals as well as those with multidisciplinary environmental backgrounds.

To achieve the above aim, MUrCS⁺ will focus on the following specific objectives:

1. Select and train the best possible candidates from around the world to create thought leaders in urban sustainability
2. Develop critical intellectual and practical skills in the collection, analysis, interpretation, and visualisation of data related to urban climate change and sustainability to convey a compelling sustainability story
3. Develop competencies in biologically effective, economically viable, socially cohesive, and human health and well-being focused climate-sensitive planning of future cities and other emerging areas of research relevant to sustainable cities
4. Champion local action through inclusive community engagement to normalise the complexity of urban sustainability
5. Enhance essential skills (including digital skills, artificial intelligence, sustainability championing, climate change policy-making and effective interpersonal communications) so that the graduates are competent to operate in senior positions in both public sector and in industry
6. Exploit actionable knowledge from the project for the benefit of world-wide cities and communities.