Geography sustainability field school
July 16, 2026
By Anne MacLaurin
UVic students gain firsthand insight into innovative approaches to climate action and urban planning.
University of Victoria geography students examined leading examples of urban sustainability in Northern Europe where cities are responding to climate change, urban growth and social equity.
Held in May and June, the 2026 Geography Field School took students to Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Germany, where they met with urban planners, researchers, activists and community organizations tackling issues such as climate adaptation, active transportation, green building, ecological restoration, circular economy and placemaking.
Leadership
“The most notable aspect of the field school for me was the kindness and reliable leadership of Cam Owens and Emma Bowick, they really made the experience positive for me,” says UVic student, Gracie Kowalski.
Experiential learning
Now in its 11th year, the field school has provided experiential learning opportunities for UVic students since 2012. Developed in partnership with the City of Victoria, the program encourages students to investigate sustainability challenges abroad and share their observations with local planners through ArcGIS StoryMaps.
“You can read about sustainable cities in a textbook, but it’s a very different experience to cycle through Copenhagen or speak directly with the people shaping healthier, more livable communities,” says UVic geographer Cam Owens. “Those firsthand experiences help students connect theory with practice, challenge assumptions and imagine new possibilities for building better communities here in Canada.”
Field school highlights
Highlights included: piloting an interactive audio tour in Bergen, Norway, that invited participants to imagine the city in 2100; learning from OsloMet professor Cecilie Sachs-Olsen about the role of art in reimagining economic development through a degrowth lens; cycling Copenhagen’s world-renowned bike network, and visiting HafenCity in Hamburg, Europe’s largest sustainable urban redevelopment project.
UVic’s geography field school information and application deadlines.