REPORT: Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) Planning and Economics of Cities

This year, the Faculty of Economics at the Prague University of Economics and Business hosted the historically first Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) within the Erasmus+ program. The international course, titled Planning and Economics of Cities, was implemented in cooperation with three partner universities: Polytechnic University of Lisbon – ISCAL Lisbon Accounting and Business School (Portugal), ISCTE – Lisbon University Institute, School of Social Sciences (Portugal), and the Bratislava University of Economics and Business, Faculty of Economics and Finance (Slovakia).

The program was led by Vice-Dean Dr. Barbora Růžičková as the academic and administrative coordinator, with Dr. Martin Lukavec and Dr. Hana Černá Silovská also participating in the teaching. A total of 28 students from the partner universities joined the program. Upon successful completion of the course, students were awarded 3 ECTS credits.

The course was designed as an interdisciplinary program linking urban economics, regional development, public finance, and spatial planning. The teaching combined theoretical lectures, interactive seminars, analytical exercises, and data work, including the use of spatial analysis and economic models of urban development. Students worked both individually and in groups, discussing current challenges related to urban development, mobility, the real estate market, and public finance.

The program also included lectures and workshops by guest academics from the partner institutions. Prof. Štefan Řehák from the University of Economics in Bratislava presented research focused on spatial economics and real estate price modeling. Dr. Paulo Fagandini from ISCAL Lisbon addressed topics of public goods, local finance, and the political economy of cities. Prof. Pedro Costa from ISCTE – Lisbon University Institute lectured on the impacts of digital platforms, urban externalities, and regulation in cities. The foreign academics also led a workshop for doctoral students focused on academic research and publishing.

The program was further supplemented by professional excursions. Students visited the Czech National Bank, where they attended the „People and Money“ educational program, and the Center for Architecture and Metropolitan Planning (CAMP), where they learned about approaches to planning the future development of Prague.

The implementation of this program represents a significant step in the internationalization of teaching at the Faculty of Economics. The experience gained and the results of the program will be shared with partner universities and the wider academic community, potentially contributing to the development of further international educational activities at the faculty.