"The ideal city is dense and compact", thinks Lord Norman Foster, recently awarded an honorary doctorate by the UAM – News – CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance            [Μετάβαση στο περιεχόμενο](#main)

  ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-04-D4E6Ss3k.svg)

 ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-09-B3BMjMVU.svg)

 ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-12-DCoFnra7.svg)

[ ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg)](https://civis.eu/el)

 - [ Ανακάλυψε ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance)
    - [ Τι είναι το CIVIS; ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis)
    - [ Το έργο μας ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work)
    - [ Αποστολή, Όραμα & Αξίες ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-institutional-journey)

    - [ Διακυβέρνηση & Διαχείριση ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management)
    - [ Ποιος είναι Ποιος ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who)
    - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association)

     [Ανοιχτά εργαστήρια & Συμμετοχή των πολιτών

     ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement)
- [ Σπούδασε ](https://civis.eu/el/learn)
    - [ Μικτά Εντατικά προγράμματα ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/blended-intensive-programmes)
    - [ Ευέλικτη μάθηση ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/build-your-learning-path-with-our-modular-offer)
    - [ Μεταπτυχιακά προγράμματα ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/find-your-master-s-programme)
    - [ Εβδομάδες Κατάρτισης Προσωπικού & Παρακολούθηση Εργασίας ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing)
    - [ Σπούδασε στο εξωτερικό ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities)

     [Discover the projects led by our students in 2025-2026

     ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/student-led-projects/discover-the-projects-led-by-our-students-in-2025-2026)

     [Μουσείο CIVIS Φόρουμ Πανεπιστημίων

     ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/CIVIS-Museum-University-Forum)
- [ Δίδαξε ](https://civis.eu/el/teach)
    - [ Προσκλήσεις υποβολής προτάσεων έργων ](https://civis.eu/el/teach/civis-calls)
    - [ Καινοτομήστε στη διδασκαλία σας ](https://civis.eu/el/teach/innovate-your-teaching)
    - [ Πόροι για εκπαιδευτικούς ](https://civis.eu/el/teach/resources-for-educators)

     [Μικτά Εντατικά Προγράμματα CIVIS: Ισχυρός Αντίκτυπος και Υψηλά Ποσοστά Ικανοποίησης, σύμφωνα με Νέα Έκθεση

     ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/civis-bips-strong-impact-and-high-satisfaction-new-report-finds)

     [Όταν η Τέχνη Υπερβαίνει τους Τίτλους των Ειδήσεων: Το CIVIS Open Lab Επαναδιεκδικεί την Έννοια του Σπιτιού

     ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/when-art-speaks-louder-than-headlines-civis-open-lab-reclaims-the-meaning-of-home)
- [ Κάνε έρευνα ](https://civis.eu/el/research)
    - [ Συνεργασία στην έρευνα ](https://civis.eu/el/research/research-collaboration)
    - [ Σταδιοδρομία, Δίκτυα & Κινητικότητα ](https://civis.eu/el/research/research-careers-networks-and-projects)
    - [ Πόροι για ερευνητές ](https://civis.eu/el/research/resources-for-researchers)

     [Είμαι ακαδημαϊκός/ερευνητής/-τρια

     ](https://civis.eu/el/i-am-an-academic-researcher)

     [Αντιμέτωποι με Κοινές Προκλήσεις, Διαμορφώνοντας Κοινές Λύσεις για την Αφρική και την Ευρώπη

     ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/facing-common-challenges-shaping-joint-solutions-for-africa-and-europe)
- [ Συνδέσου ](https://civis.eu/el/connect)
    - [ Ενημερωτικά Δελτία ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/newsletters)
    - [ Ημέρες CIVIS ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/civis-days)
    - [ Κοινωνία των Πολιτών ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement)
    - [ Επικοινωνήστε μαζί μας ](https://civis.eu/el/contact)
    - [ Τύπος και Επωνυμία ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit)

     [Ποιος είναι Ποιος

     ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who)

     [Fake It Till You News It: Challenges and Solutions in Modern Media Student Innovation Forum

     ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/student-led-projects/discover-the-projects-led-by-our-students-in-2025-2026/civis-creathon-contest)

  [ Ιστορίες ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom)

   el - [ en ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/the-ideal-city-is-dense-and-compact-thinks-lord-norman-foster-recently-awarded-an-honorary-doctorate-by-the-uam)
- [ de ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/the-ideal-city-is-dense-and-compact-thinks-lord-norman-foster-recently-awarded-an-honorary-doctorate-by-the-uam)
- [ fr ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/the-ideal-city-is-dense-and-compact-thinks-lord-norman-foster-recently-awarded-an-honorary-doctorate-by-the-uam)
- [ it ](https://civis.eu/it/the-civis-newsroom/the-ideal-city-is-dense-and-compact-thinks-lord-norman-foster-recently-awarded-an-honorary-doctorate-by-the-uam)
- [ es ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/the-ideal-city-is-dense-and-compact-thinks-lord-norman-foster-recently-awarded-an-honorary-doctorate-by-the-uam)
- [ sv ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/the-ideal-city-is-dense-and-compact-thinks-lord-norman-foster-recently-awarded-an-honorary-doctorate-by-the-uam)
- [ ro ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/the-ideal-city-is-dense-and-compact-thinks-lord-norman-foster-recently-awarded-an-honorary-doctorate-by-the-uam)

 Menu

 - [Ανακάλυψε](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-29)

    - [ Τι είναι το CIVIS; ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis)
    - [ Το έργο μας ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work)
    - [ Αποστολή, Όραμα & Αξίες ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-institutional-journey)
    - [ Διακυβέρνηση & Διαχείριση ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management)
    - [ Ποιος είναι Ποιος ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who)
    - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association)
- [Σπούδασε](https://civis.eu/el/learn) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-30)

    - [ Μικτά Εντατικά προγράμματα ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/blended-intensive-programmes)
    - [ Ευέλικτη μάθηση ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/build-your-learning-path-with-our-modular-offer)
    - [ Μεταπτυχιακά προγράμματα ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/find-your-master-s-programme)
    - [ Εβδομάδες Κατάρτισης Προσωπικού & Παρακολούθηση Εργασίας ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing)
    - [ Σπούδασε στο εξωτερικό ](https://civis.eu/el/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities)
- [Δίδαξε](https://civis.eu/el/teach) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-31)

    - [ Προσκλήσεις υποβολής προτάσεων έργων ](https://civis.eu/el/teach/civis-calls)
    - [ Καινοτομήστε στη διδασκαλία σας ](https://civis.eu/el/teach/innovate-your-teaching)
    - [ Πόροι για εκπαιδευτικούς ](https://civis.eu/el/teach/resources-for-educators)
- [Κάνε έρευνα](https://civis.eu/el/research) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-32)

    - [ Συνεργασία στην έρευνα ](https://civis.eu/el/research/research-collaboration)
    - [ Σταδιοδρομία, Δίκτυα & Κινητικότητα ](https://civis.eu/el/research/research-careers-networks-and-projects)
    - [ Πόροι για ερευνητές ](https://civis.eu/el/research/resources-for-researchers)
- [Συνδέσου](https://civis.eu/el/connect) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-33)

    - [ Ενημερωτικά Δελτία ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/newsletters)
    - [ Ημέρες CIVIS ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/civis-days)
    - [ Κοινωνία των Πολιτών ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement)
    - [ Επικοινωνήστε μαζί μας ](https://civis.eu/el/contact)
    - [ Τύπος και Επωνυμία ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit)

  [ Ιστορίες ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom)

   el - [ en ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/the-ideal-city-is-dense-and-compact-thinks-lord-norman-foster-recently-awarded-an-honorary-doctorate-by-the-uam)
- [ de ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/the-ideal-city-is-dense-and-compact-thinks-lord-norman-foster-recently-awarded-an-honorary-doctorate-by-the-uam)
- [ fr ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/the-ideal-city-is-dense-and-compact-thinks-lord-norman-foster-recently-awarded-an-honorary-doctorate-by-the-uam)
- [ it ](https://civis.eu/it/the-civis-newsroom/the-ideal-city-is-dense-and-compact-thinks-lord-norman-foster-recently-awarded-an-honorary-doctorate-by-the-uam)
- [ es ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/the-ideal-city-is-dense-and-compact-thinks-lord-norman-foster-recently-awarded-an-honorary-doctorate-by-the-uam)
- [ sv ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/the-ideal-city-is-dense-and-compact-thinks-lord-norman-foster-recently-awarded-an-honorary-doctorate-by-the-uam)
- [ ro ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/the-ideal-city-is-dense-and-compact-thinks-lord-norman-foster-recently-awarded-an-honorary-doctorate-by-the-uam)

 1. [The CIVIS Newsroom ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom)
2. "The ideal city is dense and compact", thinks Lord Norman Foster, recently awarded an honorary doctorate by the UAM

  "The ideal city is dense and compact", thinks Lord Norman Foster, recently awarded an honorary doctorate by the UAM
=====================================================================================================================

CIVIS Highlights

19 Δεκεμβρίου 2025

 For *„his ability to imagine spaces that dignify life, his deeply humanistic perspective on how we inhabit the world and because his work is a lesson in humanity”*, the prestigious British architect Lord Norman Foster has become a member of the UAM's college of doctors.

![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/highlight-december-2025.jpg)photo © UAMLord Norman Foster was awarded an honorary doctorate - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid's highest academic distinction - in a solemn ceremony that focused on humanism and the importance of building a better world through our actions.

Foster began his speech by expressing his appreciation and gratitude to the universities of Manchester and Yale, where he received the education that enabled him to reach the pinnacle of architecture:

> *It was a tortuous journey that lasted five years from the time I left school at sixteen, and I was the first in my family, in fact in my neighbourhood, to enter university. The effect of this was a greater awareness and gratitude for the privilege of learning, for the gift of knowledge and skills, a truly deep respect for those who teach and share their wisdom. (...) As an architect and urban planner, I can relate what I have done since then - and continue to do now - to my years at those universities."*

### The city of the future

Lord Foster also reflected on how we need to cope with population growth - another two billion people in the next 25 years. For them, new cities should be created, and the existing ones, expanded:

*The ideal, sustainable city is likely to be dense and compact, with a historic core and nearby neighbourhoods that are safe and healthy because they are walkable, cycleable and well connected by public transport. Shops, schools, restaurants and workplaces would be within easy reach, as would parks and green spaces,* he explained.

And one way to convey this message to policymakers is the fusion of academia and practice to create new types of university courses for the civic leaders of the future. It's what's happening now at UAM, through a collaboration with the Norman Foster Foundation Institute - a unique course on sustainable cities. Each year, a network of global experts in urban planning interacts with graduates who use the most advanced digital technology to work with three selected cities on pilot projects.

The [Master's Degree in Sustainable Cities](https://uam.es/CentroFormacionContinua/nuevo_MFP_Ciudades_sostenibles/1446842938918.htm?language=es_ES&nDept=9&pid=1446755564845&pidDept=1446755610615) is a project that highlights UAM's commitment to the values of sustainable development and quality education, and the union between technological innovation and humanistic values.

His work, a lesson in humanity
------------------------------

Foster is the first architect and urban planner to be awarded this distinction at the UAM. Among the many reasons for awarding him an honorary doctorate, Rector Amaya Mendikoetxea pointed out that

> *his work exemplifies what lies at the very heart of humanism: the ability to imagine spaces that dignify life, to create places where beauty, light and harmony are at the service of people. He is a visionary who has transformed ingenuity and creativity into a legacy that inspires us all. In each of his projects we find an idea that also defines our university: that progress is meaningless unless it is directed towards expanding people's freedom, well-being and possibilities. That is why we are awarding him an honorary doctorate: because his work, beyond plans and structures, is a lesson in humanity",* she said.

In his laudatio, professor Diego Barrado - sponsor of the new doctor - defined Lord Foster as "*a professional who has taken architecture far beyond the technical, and who has been recognised many times as a humanist and for his contribution to culture in recent decades. The candidate is not only an architect, but also a designer of large infrastructures and an urban planner.",* concluded Barrado.

Honorary doctorates are awarded to individuals of extraordinary academic, scientific, cultural, technical or humanistic merit, who are recognised nationally or internationally and who contribute significantly to the development and promotion of the values of the UAM or have close ties to this institution.

**More details available in the** [**original story, in Spanish**](https://www.uam.es/uam/noticias/acto-investidura-norman-foster-2025)**.**

### Latest Highlights:

[*Scientists track adaptation of bird flu in dairy cattle*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/scientists-track-adaptation-of-bird-flu-in-dairy-cattle)

[*University of Salzburg wins Internationalisation Award for Staff Mobility and Development*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/university-of-salzburg-wins-internationalisation-award-for-staff-mobility-and-development)

[*Astronomers discover a superheated star factory in the early universe*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/astronomers-discover-a-superheated-star-factory-in-the-early-universe)

[*The University of Tübingen was awarded the 2025 Baden-Württemberg state Teaching Prize*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/the-university-of-tubingen-awarded-the-2025-baden-wurttemberg-state-teaching-prize)

[*Cutting-edge research at Stockholm University on MOFs, Nobel Prize-Winning Materials*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/cutting-edge-research-at-stockholm-university-on-mofs-nobel-prize-winning-materials)

Related news
------------

- [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/civis-coms-unit-bip-strategic-foresight2-800x600.jpg?token=063d174056736078a0b8834a436240c7)Μικτά Εντατικά Προγράμματα CIVIS: Ισχυρός Αντίκτυπος και Υψηλά Ποσοστά Ικανοποίησης, σύμφωνα με Νέα Έκθεση

    Study programmes

    2 Μαρτίου 2026

     ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/civis-bips-strong-impact-and-high-satisfaction-new-report-finds)
- [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/civis-coms-unit-details-12-800x600.jpg?token=18a67eed00f6009b77efc52af67e6ed2)Doctoral Webinar Challenges of Digital and Technological Transformations is back

    Hub 5 Digital and Technological transformation

    23 Ιανουαρίου 2026

     ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/doctoral-webinar-challenges-of-digital-and-technological-transformations-is-back)
- [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/teaching-prize-800x600.jpg?token=ebeafff97ec59b834364de70194c8e9c)The University of Tübingen was awarded the 2025 Baden-Württemberg state Teaching Prize

    CIVIS Highlights

    15 Δεκεμβρίου 2025

     ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/the-university-of-tubingen-was-awarded-the-2025-baden-wurttemberg-state-teaching-prize)

 [Ανακαλύψτε όλες μας τις ιστορίες](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom)

 [    Antarctic expedition searches for clues to future sea-level rise ](< https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/antarctic-expedition-searches-for-clues-to-future-sea-level-rise >) [ Scientists track adaptation of bird flu in dairy cattle    ](< https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/scientists-track-adaptation-of-bird-flu-in-dairy-cattle >)

   ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Europe’s Civic University Alliance

 ![Co-funded by the European Union](https://civis.eu/build/assets/co-funded-by-the-european-union-DSKLW1us.png)Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither can be held responsible for them.

 ### Άνθρωποι

- [ Φοιτητές-/τριες ](https://civis.eu/el/i-am-a-student)
- [ Ακαδημαϊκοί και ερευνητές ](https://civis.eu/el/i-am-an-academic-researcher)
- [ Διοικητικοί ](https://civis.eu/el/i-am-an-administrator)
- [ Κοινωνία των πολιτών ](https://civis.eu/el/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement)
- [ Τύπος ](https://civis.eu/el/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit)

  ### Χρήσιμοι σύνδεσμοι

- [ Πόροι ](https://civis.eu/el/resources)
- [ Πλατφόρμα CIVIS Agora ](https://civis.eu/el/civis-agora-the-operational-hub-of-the-civis-digital-campus)
- [ Πρωτοβουλία των Ευρωπαϊκών Πανεπιστημίων ](https://civis.eu/el/european-universities-initiative)
- [ Προηγούμενες εκδηλώσεις ](https://civis.eu/el/past-events)
- [ Επικοινωνία ](https://civis.eu/el/contact)

  [Newsletters](https://civis.eu/el/connect/newsletters)

### Social networks

- [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/instagram.svg) Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/civis.eu/)
- [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/linkedin.svg) LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/civis-eu)
- [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/facebook.svg) Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/CIVISEuropeanUniversity/)
- [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/youtube.svg) YouTube ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdCm0FfreX81BuNH-znlRGQ)

 © 2026 – CIVIS – All rights reserved

 - [ Cookie Policy ](https://civis.eu/el/cookie-policy)
- [ Privacy policy ](https://civis.eu/el/privacy-policy)

  Website by [Typi Design](https://typi.be) • Design by [Atelier Milky](https://ateliermilky.com)

  [    ](#top)

   Search