The Global Development Summer School 2023: Rethinking Mobility
Between 30 August and 16 September, 60 students of ETH Zurich and KNUST from 10 countries came together in 8 multidisciplinary groups to define problems and design solutions towards sustainable mobility for a rapidly developing urban community in Kumasi, Ghana.
Experts from academia and industry provided stimulating inputs and critical feedback for the group projects within three overarching themes of decarbonization, urban resilience and inclusive mobility. Guided by a systems thinking approach to problem-solving, the students engaged road users and transport service providers to collect original data for their projects. It was an exciting moment when ETH students had their first experience of the informal minibus transport popularly known as trotro in Ghana, while their KNUST teammates provided interesting insights.
On the last day, the groups pitched their problem statements and solution prototypes including apps that streamline trotro bus routes and passenger locations for improved efficiency, student-run campus cycling stations and maintenance centers as well as security and safety installations for inclusive mobility. We as organizers, as well as the audience, were highly motivated by the passion and creativity of the students and look forward to seeing such solutions go on to be implemented!
In addition to diving deep into the topic of mobility, students had many opportunities to learn more about the history and culture of Ghana and to build new friendships that - we hope - will last beyond the Summer School.
I am really glad that I attended the Summer School in Ghana, because I had the incredible opportunity to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team, trying to solve some of the region’s specific mobility problems. For two and a half weeks, I had the chance to get to know the Ghanaian culture better and to start valuable friendships!
Mihaela Lachezarova, ETH Student
