Summer School: Planetary Futures

Cologne Game Lab
Schanzenstraße 28
51063 Köln

Please note: TH Köln has several campuses. Our venue is located in Köln-Mülheim.

How to find us

By car

Exit Köln Dellbrück – via Bergisch Gladbacher Straße towards Mülheim – turn right on to Carlswerkstraße – number 28 is located on the left hand side in the high, long brick building, which was the former building of Felten & Guilleaume AG.

Exit Köln Mülheim – via Mülheim feeder road – left onto Clevischer Ring – left on to Keupstraße – left into Schanzenstraße – number 28 is located on the right hand side in the high, long brick building, which was the former building of Felten & Guilleaume AG.

By public transport

Tram line 4 direction Schlebusch, stop at Keupstraße. After disembarking, follow the road, Keupstraße, then bank left on to Schanzenstraße. A short walk in the fresh air follows until you reach the large historical entrance – number 28 is on the right-hand side in the high, elongated brick building.

From the airport (Cologne/Bonn)

Current connections to Köln Deutz under:
https://iris.noncd.db.de/wbt/js/index.html?bhf=KFKB (without guarantee).

From Cologne Deutz, take overground tram (KVB) line 4 direction Schlebusch to the Keupstraße stop. After disembarking, follow the road, Keupstraße, then bank left on to Schanzenstraße. A short walk in the fresh air follows until you reach the large historical entrance – number 28 is on the right-hand side in the high, elongated brick building.

Arriving by Train

Cologne Game Lab can be reached via the stop Cologne-Mühlheim (S-Bahn & Regional Trains), or Cologne Main Station & Cologne Messe/Deutz (Long Distance Trains)

• Long-distance trains (ICE / IC / international services) arrive at Köln Hauptbahnhof (Cologne Central Station) or Köln Messe/Deutz. Both stations are located in the city centre and are well connected to public transport.
• Regional trains (RE / RB / S-Bahn) stop at Cologne Mülheim (Köln-Mülheim), which is the closest train station to the venue (approximately 20 minutes on foot to Cologne Game Lab).

Tickets can be purchased from ticket machines or the DB Navigator app, if you want to used regaional trains only, consider a “Deutschlandticket”.

Arriving by Air

Participants can fly into any of the following airports:

• Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) – closest airport to the venue
• Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) – approximately 30–45 minutes from Cologne by train
• Frankfurt Airport (FRA) – approximately 50–70 minutes from Cologne by high-speed ICE train (book cheapest tickets in advance, or selebt Rail&Fly options with Lufthansa partners)

Both Düsseldorf and Frankfurt airports are directly connected to Germany’s rail network, with frequent trains to Cologne Central Station (Köln Hauptbahnhof). No transfer into the city center is required before boarding these trains.

Public Transport in Cologne

Cologne has an extensive public transportation network consisting of trams, buses, and regional trains. Recommended ticket options:

• 24-Hour Ticket – suitable for short stays
• Weekly Ticket – suitable for participants staying several days
• Deutschlandticket – valid on local and regional public transport throughout Germany

Tickets can be purchased from ticket machines, the KVB app, or the DB Navigator app.

An additional option is the “eezy” check-in/check-out system (eezy.nrw), which allows users to simply check in at the start of a journey and check out at the end. The fare is calculated automatically based on distance travelled.

Cologne offers a variety of hotel options at varying prices with a lot of availability for the dates of the summer school. We prepared a list of choices that are close or conventiently reachable from CGL.

If you want to save cost we would also encourage you to team up with other participants via discord, and find a shared hotel room or apartment.

Platforms like Booking.com currently offer lower rates and discounts  on several of the listed choices.

Of course you can also find a shared apartment via airbnb and other platforms.

If you are also in Cologne during Gamescom, be aware that accommodation is extremely limited and prices are significantly higher. Get in touch if you have trouble finding a place.

Closest to the Venue: 

Moxy Cologne Mülheim

Located directly opposite CGL. From approximately €80/night.
https://www.marriott.com/de/hotels/cgnom-moxy-cologne-muelheim/overview/

Walking Distance:
Holiday Inn – the niu, Mill Cologne Mülheim

Modern hotel within walking distance of CGL. From approximately €80/night.
https://www.ihg.com/holiday-inn-the-niu/hotels/de/de/cologne/cgnmc/hoteldetail

PLAZA Premium Köln

Hotel within walking distance of CGL.  From approximately €80/night.
https://plazahotels.de/de/hotels/q811c5k0m1tjc6kj6xgqonuw/hotel-koeln#hotel 

Short Tram Ride Away:

Budget Hotel: ibis Budget Köln Messe

Affordable budget rooms a short tram ride from CGL. From approximately €60/night.
https://all.accor.com/hotel/7859/index.de.shtml

Budget Hostel: Jugendherberge Köln-Riehl

Hostel across the Rhine from CGL; Prices vary by room type and age.
https://www.jugendherberge.de/jugendherbergen/koeln-riehl/

Motel One Köln-Deutz (and other locations)

The German popularity winner. From approximately €90/night.
https://www.motel-one.com/de/hotels/koeln/

City Centre Option: Motel One (Neumarkt, Heumarkt, Mediapark)

Stay in central Cologne with easy access to CGL by public transport. From approximately €90/night.
https://www.motel-one.com/de/hotels/koeln/

Hostel Option: die wohngemeinschaft

Popular hostel with shared rooms in central Cologne. From approximately €40/night.
https://www.die-wohngemeinschaft.net/hostel/

Koncept Hotel International

Four-bed social rooms from approximately €120/night, budget option near the city centre.
www.booking.com/hotel/de/koncept-international.de.html

Prior to the Summer School, design an academic research poster introducing the project you are coming with. There will be two dedicated sessions in which you will have a chance to present your posters and discuss your work (see program). Each poster presentation will get a 20-minute slot (5 for the poster presentation and 15 for the discussion). Your posters will also be displayed throughout the entire School and may serve as a basis for further discussion, networking, feedback, and peer exchange. 

The poster should include: 

• Personal info: title and author(s), Institutional affiliation(s)
• Project Info: Research question, design challenge, or project objectives | methods, approach, or development process | key findings, outcomes, or current progress
• Visual materials: such as figures, screenshots, diagrams, or game assets, where appropriate (Minimum resolution: 300 DPI).
• Academic sources: please include academic sources (If there is not enough space  on the poster itself, provide a QR code linking to an external document.)
• Poster format: A0 (84.1 × 118.9 cm) 
• Language: Posters should be in English
• Q & A: Future directions, open questions, or areas for feedback
• Printing: Posters should be printed and ready for display upon arrival (feel free to share your digital versions with others over the Summer School Discord channel).
  
  Note: If you are unable to transport your poster due to flight luggage restrictions etc. send it to us to be printed no later than 10th August 2026.

Participants are encouraged to bring the game, demo, prototype, or other project artefact submitted with their application. Opportunities to showcase projects, engage in playtesting, and receive feedback will be integrated throughout the Summer School programme and participants will be invited to present and discuss their work during informal evening exhibitions and social events.

Please get in touch with us to let us know which equipment you will require. (We can provide gaming PCs, controllers, and other standard setup hardware on site).

Participants are responsible for checking visa requirements for entry into Germany and applying for a visa in good time if needed. If you require an official acceptance or invitation letter to support your visa application, please contact us at summerschool26@colognegamelab.de

If you are planning to attend Gamescom, let us know in advance, so we can invite you to thematic meet-ups or host some informal gatherings and group activities for Summer School attendees.