by Morgan State U
June 13, 2025
Morgan Architecture Students Explore Sustainable Urbanism in Europe
In March 2025, students from Morgan State University's School of Architecture and Planning embarked on an eye-opening study abroad journey through Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Delft—an immersive educational experience led by Associate Professor Cristina Murphy. The weeklong trip offered students the opportunity to witness firsthand how European cities are tackling pressing urban challenges through sustainable design, participatory planning, and community-centered innovation.
Learning from Urban Pioneers
The trip began with a visit to De Warren, Amsterdam’s groundbreaking cooperative housing project on newly reclaimed land, embodying collective ownership and eco-conscious living. Students examined how architecture can serve as a tool for social equity and environmental resilience. This set the tone for a week of exploring design models that prioritize community, affordability, and sustainability.
In Rotterdam, students navigated the city by bike, guided by local urban designers and planners. Stops included Waterplein Benthemplein, an innovative water square that doubles as public space and flood infrastructure; ZOHO Maakkwartier, a mixed-use revitalization zone; and the elevated Hofbogen, a disused railway transformed into green infrastructure. Each site highlighted how repurposed urban spaces can become inclusive, multifunctional environments.
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1700 East Cold Spring Lane
McMechen Hall Rm. 635
Baltimore, Maryland 21251
Global Perspectives, Local Applications
In Antwerp, the group explored multicultural neighborhoods undergoing transformation, guided by representatives from Endeavour. A standout moment was the “Feminine City” garden project, an urban greenspace co-designed by immigrant women to foster empowerment and connection. Students witnessed how spatial justice and gender-inclusive planning intersect in diverse communities.
Back in Rotterdam, the cohort visited Hoogeschool Rotterdam, where faculty shared how the institution embeds social engagement and reciprocity into its urban curriculum. The message: students are not just learners but civic actors who co-create the cities they study.
Exploring Sustainable Futures
Site visits to Keilepand, MVRDV, and Mei Architects introduced students to visionary projects focused on climate-resilient design and circular architecture. Keilepand—once an industrial warehouse—has become a collaborative hub for innovation, while MVRDV’s “Sea Level Rise Catalogue” and rooftop activation projects offered insight into adaptable infrastructure in the face of climate change.
In Delft, conversations around co-housing illuminated how shared living models can support aging populations, reduce environmental impacts, and foster social bonds. The students also visited Vakwerkhuis, a community-oriented architectural practice that reimagines the boundary between academic and civic spaces.
A Transformational Journey
The trip culminated in conversations around the role of architects as social servants and city-makers. Whether examining historic gentrification in Antwerp or future-forward timber construction at Rotterdam’s SAWA project, students left with a profound understanding of how design shapes lived experience.
This trip marks the third international study tour within the region in five years, reaffirming Morgan’s commitment to global education. Students returned not just with photos and notes, but with sharpened critical thinking, renewed optimism, and a deeper appreciation of architecture’s power to build more equitable and sustainable futures.
Contact Information
Office of Public Relations & Strategic Communications
1700 East Cold Spring Lane
McMechen Hall Rm. 635
Baltimore, Maryland 21251