Event

A Meeting Place for Research at the Heart of Bochum

With the new RUB Centre for City Futures (RUB CCF), research and urban society in Bochum are moving closer together. At the opening event on 15 December 2025, invited guests were given insights into how the city and the university can jointly shape Bochum’s future. Alongside welcome addresses by Mayor Jörg Lukat and Ruhr University Bochum’s Rector, Prof. Dr Martin Paul, the programme featured short keynote inputs and practical examples of innovative collaboration between urban society and academia.

“It gives me great pleasure that Ruhr University Bochum is creating an open space in the heart of the city with the Centre for City Futures – a place where urban society and academia come together. This is where voices are heard, networks are formed, and ideas are turned into solutions. Together with our municipal cooperation partners, and in particular with UniverCity, we are working to actively shape transformation in Bochum,” said Martin Paul.

Through the RUB CCF, Ruhr University Bochum will in future bundle its teaching and research activities as well as its initiatives in the field of urban development. At the same time, via the European University Alliance UNIC, it strengthens interdisciplinary and international collaboration within the city and supports new formats for participation and knowledge exchange. The aim is to develop concrete strategies and projects for a sustainable, inclusive and liveable city together with local partners.

“The establishment of the Centre for City Futures is an important contribution by Ruhr University Bochum to supporting cooperation between academia and urban society on the path towards the House of Knowledge. Together with the UniverCity Bochum association, it addresses key challenges of our time,” said Mayor Jörg Lukat.