Research projects

The city of Bruges owns a diverse and rich heritage, comprising more than 500 buildings, making it one of the largest property owners in Bruges and its surrounding areas. The city aims to be a pioneer in new developments.                                                           

In the design.nexus research group at Ghent University, a methodology was developed during a doctoral study to simplify and make the manual assembly process more intuitive, even during the product development stage.                                                                 

The Blue BALANCE project aims to create support among citizens and tourists for sustainable economic activities along the coast (including coastal protection, blue food, renewable energy, ports, and tourism).                                                                        

How does listening to music affect brain development? The KidBeats project considers music as a crucial factor in children's development, although technology isn't fully prepared to bridge the gap between musicians and children.                                                    

Internationally, there is a growing trend of cross-over collaborations between the gaming industry and the music sector, experimenting with virtual productions.                                                                                                                        

The D4E1 Lab (Design for Everyone) within the Industrial Design Center (IDC) is one of the pioneers in human-centered and participatory healthcare innovation in Flanders, with successful projects like Makerhealth and Makeability.                                                   

From conversations with partners in the construction sector, it became evident that there is untapped potential for integrating STEM into the construction industry.                                                                                                                    

A group of young people aged 14 and above will collaborate on spotlighting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through an artistic-technological intervention in their city/town. A program will be established in collaboration with local youth organizations.                   

Research and Expertise Center Vital Cities identifies the principles of child and youth-friendly heritage through appreciative inquiry.