But how do local governments adapt to changing narratives and mega-trends happening at the global stage? What does governance for sustainable development mean at the local level? How can cities meet people’s concerns and expectations while carrying out transformative work integrating social, environmental, and economic goals holistically?   

In this event series, we explore how cities and various institutions supporting them engage in dialogue and consensus-building to move forward with shared goals and agendas. We look into how multilevel governance can be built based on the real experiences of cities and their leaders, shaping new stories of change for current and future global agendas.   

The aim of this event series is to create a strategic and interactive dialogue among leaders from all levels who share the vision and mindset that in order for any global agenda to succeed, we need to listen to those getting their hands dirty with implementation at the local level. As the level of government closest to the people, we believe that cities of all sizes must participate in this dialogue and drive the conversation.  

“Since their adoption in 2015, many frontrunner cities use the UN SDGs as a vehicle for implementing strategic urban governance and deliver on the promises set out in the UN 2030 Agenda – let’s put them to work” – The Cities for Sustainability Governance Baseline study.

1^st Webinar | 23 May 2024 | 11:00-12:30 CET | Zoom

In this first webinar, we will explore how SDGs can be used strategically by cities to foster holistic sustainability, regardless of their starting point. We will learn about the support provided by UN-Habitat and the URBACT programme to cities around Europe and the world, and hear real testimonials from cities about how they are tackling sustainable urban development. We will also discuss how the role of local governments can be further strengthened by listening to cities’ experiences. 

Through this 90-minute session, participants will learn more about some of the networks and flagship programmes in Europe and the world supporting SDG work in cities, and how to be part of the strategic dialogue.

Programme

11:00-11:05      Opening words. Stina Heikkilä, Cities for Sustainability Goverannce Lead Expert.

11:05-11:20      UN-Habitat: global perspective on SDGs in cities. Martino Miraglia, Coordinator, SDG Localization and Local Governments Team and SDG Cities Flagship.

11:20-11:45      City perspectives from the Cities for Sustainability Governance network. Hélder Costa, Presidential Support Office at the Braga City Hall, Portugal. Vasilis Zacharias, Deputy Mayor, Agios Dimitrios, Greece.  

11:45-12:00      URBACT: perspectives from European networks of cities. Margit Tuennemann, Senior Policy Officer, URBACT Secretariat.

12:00-12:20      Panel discussion. Where do we go from here? Which opportunities do we have to work together? 

12:20-12:30      Closing and next steps. Ville Taajamaa, Cities for Sustainability Goverannce Lead Partner Coordinator, City of Espoo, Finland.

Register HERE.

About the organisers of the 1^st webinar 

Since June 2023, the Cities for Sustainability Governance (CSG) network brings together cities working on holistic sustainability, as well as the organisations supporting them in this endeavour.  As a new generation URBACT network, CSG builds on the efforts started in 2021 with the largest European network yet working on SDGs: Global Goals for Cities. With close links to other networks like Eurocities’ SDG taskforce and Eurotowns’ SDG Task Team, the strategic dialogue that CSG aims to build has a wide reach and representation across the European continent. For the nine core partners of the CSG network, one may suggest that it represent the EU in “miniature”.  Find out more about the CSG network here.

UN-Habitat, as the UN body responsible for the New Urban Agenda, is the most prominent organisation in the UN system supporting cities in achieving sustainable urban development and localising the SDGs. Through flagship programmes like SDG Cities, UN-Habitat is providing a platform for cities to gradually strengthen how they tackle the SDGs. UN-Habitat operates in 90 countries and is supporting localization efforts in over 15 countries, including Voluntary Local Review (VLRs). It supports cities worldwide through innovative research, guidance, technical assistance and capacity building. UN-Habitat also supports the engagement of local governments in high-level SDG conferences, and other advocacy networks, including the Local2030 Coalition and the SDG Cities Global Network. Learn more about the work of UN-Habitat on SDG localization here.

Future events

The event series will start with the first webinar on 23 May 2024 (see above) and culminate in an in-person SDG conference in the city of Espoo, Finland, in September 2025. The aim is to host an open, strategic dialogue about the role of cities in global agendas. Other events in the series include (the list is evolving continuously):

• 16-17 June 2024, Mannheim, Germany. An exclusive in-person mayor-level meeting and workshop in the city of Mannheim, Germany, on 17 June 2024, preceded by a welcome reception on 16 June. The goal of the meeting is to set the scene for a shared journey for European mayors who are at the forefront of promoting sustainable urban development and the UN 2030 Agenda. The meeting will feature an exclusive storytelling workshop designed to explore each city’s unique story and contribution, facilitated by Dr. Barbara A. Karanian, Stanford University, USA.

• 4-8 November 2024, 12^th World Urban Forum, Cairo, Egypt (TBC). CSG has submitted a side-event event proposal for the World Urban Forum 2024. The event aims to present how SDGs can be used in so called “localization” process in order to create strategic, holistic and future oriented action to achieve the SDGs. It happens through a facilitated and dialogue driven approach using “The SDG Analyses” -process, which is based on experiences of European and global cities. 

• May 2025, 2^nd Webinar, online. Our next webinar aims to share progress from the strategic dialogue and actions taken in CSG partner cities during the year. It will further set the scene and invite reflections on the agenda of the SDG conference organised in the city of Espoo, Finland. 

• September 2025, SDG conference, Espoo, Finland. This global conference will be the final event of the series and be held in-person in Espoo, Finland. Marking 7 years as a forerunner SDG city, the conference will bring together leaders from all over the world around the theme of shaping city stories of change.  

For more information or to propose an event opportunity / collaboration, please contact our communication officer Karin Luhaäär: Karin.luhaaar@tallinnlv.ee

     

The study covers three aspects of network activities and research. The first section outlines the 15 most common challenges facing contemporary urban centres and provides an overview of current town centre management policies. These complex and overlapping challenges require an integrated approach. The network employs a specific and comprehensive framework to understand policy dimensions in city centres. Six main functions illustrate a model for city centre equilibrium: housing, work, public facilities, commerce, leisure, and public space. By examining these dimensions, the network methodology analyses various dynamics influencing residents and external populations. To address these complexities and challenges, the network proposes working on five interrelated pillars: integrated public policies, governance, decision-making tools, sustainability, and inclusion.

The core of the Cities@Heart methodology entails mapping the major challenges onto the five pillars and using the resulting matrix as a foundation for proposed capacity-building and exchange activities including transnational meetings, city-to-city exchanges, ULG meetings, and a comprehensive work plan. The chapter concludes with a robust learning capitalisation and dissemination strategy built around the network's added value, a toolbox rooted in the five pillars, policy advocacy initiatives, and the pursuit of funding opportunities.

The full baseline study is available for download on the Cities@Heart library or via the interactive PDF reader Calameo. 

The Greater Paris Metropolis (Métropole du Grand Paris, France) coordinates the network in the role of Lead Partner. Endowed with extensive experience in local economy, architecture and urban planning, Barcelona-based Mar Santamaria Varas will assist the network as Lead Expert.

The ten network partners include:

    The Greater Paris Metropolis, France (Lead Partner)
    The City of Cesena, Italy
    The City of Granada, Spain  
    The City of Osijek, Croatia
    Amfiktyonies, a business development organisation representing the City of Lamia, Greece
    The City of Celje, Slovenia
    The City of Fleurus, Belgium
    The City of Sligo, Ireland
    The Krakow Metropolis Association, Poland
    The Quadrilátero Urbano Association, Portugal

This document is divided into three sections. The first presents the major challenges that contemporary urban centres are facing. First in a more general way, locating 15 common challenges. In this section, we will observe that the challenges are complex, overlapped and in need of an integrated approach. The next step has been to understand the policy dimensions of urban centres. This involves first identifying the frameworks that will help the partnership to work holistically and then establishing an own framework that will allocate six main functions that explain the different balances present in urban centres: housing, work, public facilities, commerce, leisure and public space. The combination of these various dimensions will allow us to describe the different dynamics and challenges presented concerning their influence on residents and the external population. Finally, in this initial section, in order to address the complexity of the issues and the different challenges, a proposal is put forth to work on five interrelated fundamental pillars: integrated public policies, governance, decision-making tools, sustainability and inclusion; which are further explained.

In the second chapter, in order to understand the different profiles of the partners that form the network, an overview is presented. First, we provided a general overview of the city and its city centre boundaries, explaining the current situation of the city centre regarding the main functions presented in the previous chapter. We also include a section in which we present the current approach of the partners on to the five fundamental pillars. The composition of the Urban Local Group is then presented, in order to understand the typologies of stakeholders that are embedded in the process. Finally, a general overview is provided on the learning needs and contribution of each partner to the network, along with some best practices that will enhance the knowledge exchange.

Finally, the third chapter synthesises the network methodology and details the proposed activities during the two years and a half of the URBACT programme. Based on the analysis of the major drivers of the revitalisation of city centres, it includes the capacity-building activities and work plan and the potential dissemination and capitalisation of learnings.

This methodology addresses the main challenges presented by the partners. It is first extended to match the network framework and then summarised and synthesised into seven common challenges: managing complexity, gentrification, adaptation to climate change, new supply models, building a city centre identity, public space and managing mixed uses. The methodological framework is then explained, where the seven challenges are overlapped with the five pillars and used as the base to propose the capacity-building and exchange activities. These are divided into transnational meetings, city-to-city exchanges and ULG meetings, along with a work plan. 

This chapter ends with a learning capitalisation and dissemination strategy, which is based on the added value of the network, a toolbox based on five pillars, a policy advocacy and the search for funding opportunities.

Belgian architect Luc Schuiten envisages that in 2100 “Sustainable development will have become a pleonasm”, and as such, all urban development will inevitably be sustainable. Future cities will see new living and working habits, mobility and interfaces intersecting and co-existing with the natural environment. Local authorities will play a role in this transformative change, notably by working on infrastructure: creating green spaces out of abandoned buildings and spaces, joining the urban net, enabling a pedestrian connexion and infrastructure from one neighbourhood to another. Notwithstanding the environmental benefit of such measures, public spaces will also become spaces for creativity, learning and exchange.

Laeken 1800- 2200, La Cité végétale, Luc Schuiten. Source: Vegetalcity. 

This article looks closer at the need for green revitalisation and regeneration in the context of the URBACT GreenPlace Action Planning Network, one of  30 URBACT Action Planning Networks running from June 2023 to December 2025. Led by Wroclaw (PL), GreenPlace addresses unused, abandoned and forgotten places with green revitalisation and regeneration efforts – all involving the local community. 

The issue of forgotten and unused urban spaces

The urban landscape in Europe has evolved over the last decades. Former industrial or rail infrastructures, factories, construction sites, slaughterhouses, large health and social care facilities, shopping centres, offices or incomplete buildings and city centres, former military barracks, parks and greenfields – a variety of buildings and spaces have lost their original functions, left unused, abandoned and/or forgotten. 

Bucharest Delta. Source: Marcelline Bonneau.

These buildings and sites can be abandoned or unused for a variety of reasons:

- radical changes, conditioned by historical or economic events;

- negative connotations linked to places;

- the natural toll of time pr dereliction;

- social, historical and economic changes in a city;

- population shifts from rural to urban areas and changes in residential patterns (e.g. larger houses, fewer people per family unit);

- the low price of undeveloped greenfield land compared with the high cost of redeveloping land (e.g. regeneration of brownfields); or

- becoming too expensive to maintain.
 

Addressing the management of these under-used land, spaces and buildings is a key focal point of European regional development policy and funding frameworks. On the one hand, if nothing is done, these spaces will have a negative impact on the environment and biodiversity. For example, former storage and manoeuvring yards can form ‘heat islands’ and stored pollution can lead to further problems related to, among other things, rainwater management. Unused public spaces can also negatively impact land use, not accounting for land pressure and uncontrolled urban development (sprawl), and socio-economic inequity and insecurity. 

On the other hand, if we do something, we’ll see a positive impact on the environment. Nature-based solutions, brownfield regeneration, green infrastructure and other technical green solutions – including retrofitting or energy networks – can increase biodiversity, protect habitats, attract new fauna and flora  and integrate climate adaptation solutions, for example, related to rainwater management, water retention, cool islands, etc.  

Cities involved in URBACT networks, such as Lille (FR) and Heerlen (NL), serve as case studies on the positive impact of greener rehabilitated public spaces in their communities. Policy recommendations for the reuse of spaces and buildings include, among others: involving architects and planners in the development of land-use plans; fixing realistic land and financial budgets; considering public-private partnership models.

The need to develop green revitalisation and regeneration

Green revitalisation and regeneration are a prominent way of addressing unused, forgotten and abandoned places, both as a means to sustainable urban development and ends in themselves. The most common principles underpinning these concepts are addressed in the following approaches:

GreenPlace: 10 cities revitalising forgotten urban spaces with local communities

The above approaches to green revitalisation and regeneration form the core of the GreenPlace Action Planning Network. Led by the City of Wroclaw (PL), partner cities include Boulogne-sur-mer Développement Côte d’Opale (FR), Bucharest-Ilfov Metropolitan Area Intercommunity Development Association (RO), Cehegin (ES), Limerick (IE), Löbau (DE), Nitra (SK), Onda (ES), Quarto d’Altino (IT) and Vila Nova De Poiares (PT).

The variety of partner profiles stresses the richness and added value of such a diverse partnership. Some of these cities are small (e.g. Vila Nova de Poiares has 7.281 inhabitants) others are very large (e.g. Bucharest-Ilfov, with 2.298.000 inhabitants). Some are rural areas (e.g. Quarto d’Altino), some are very urban (e.g. Wroclaw), while others are considered developed (e.g. Limerick) or less developed (e.g. Nitra).

The partner cities may be in different stages of green revitalisation and community engagement. They may face different contexts and challenges, as indicated in the GreenPlace baseline study, which details the context, methodology and roadmap of the Action Planning Networks. Regardless of these differences, they are already learning so much from each other!

In particular, city partners are focusing on the following main categories of forgotten and unused urban spaces:

- Abandoned buildings: a Noodle Factory in Löbau, a Civic Centre in Quarto d’Altino;

- Forgotten buildings (yet, partially in use): the Popowice Tram Depot in Wroclaw, the Victorei Tram Depot in Bucharest-Ilfov; 

- Unused green areas: a medieval wall in Limerick, a Green Zone in Vila Nova de Poiares, Ejidos in Cehegin; and

- Unused built areas: a future Green Lung in Onda, the Station-Bréquerecque area in Boulogne-Sur-Mer, Martin’s Hill – a former military barracks site in Nitra.

In Löbau, partners have reported back on involving the local community in plans to revitalise an abandoned factory site.

URBACT Action Planning Networks: greener horizons

More updates are still to come from the GreenPlace Action Planning Network as the work progresses. 

In the broader scheme of the URBACT IV programme, GreenPlace is not the only URBACT Action Planning Networks making cities greener. COPE, Let’s Go Circular, BiodiverCity, Eco-Core and In4Green are a few others worth exploring!

This article was updated in April 2024. The original version was submitted by Marcelline Bonneau on 19/12/2023.

On February 28^th and 29^th, 2024, the second transnational meeting of the URBACT In4Green network was held in Solingen with the aim of further advancing knowledge exchange activities and collaborative learning that can inspire the identification and design of local actions for the green industrial transition.

Thirty individuals affiliated with the In4Green network partners with various profiles and roles attended this second transnational meeting. From local project coordinators to elected representatives, internal stakeholders, local government officials, and external stakeholders such as companies and external public agencies, they gathered in Solingen to work together on finding solutions for the green transition in small and medium-sized industrial cities.

All attendees had the opportunity to participate in various activities primarily designed and facilitated by the Lead Expert of the network, Jose Costero. These activities included thematic working groups, peer review sessions, study visits to projects in Solingen, training activities, and skill development or training on URBACT Methodology tools.

In this way, In4Green partners were able to gain valuable information, knowledge, and skills through exchange to design their Integrated Action Plans at the local level in collaboration with their stakeholders.

Thematic Workshops

One of the main activities with more technical content was the organization of two thematic working groups. The first one focused on the circular economy and was designed and facilitated by the Ad Hoc Expert Eileen Crowley. The second working group centred on green and smart industrial parks, new green technologies, and investment attraction, and was designed and facilitated by the Lead Expert Jose Costero.

In both working groups, experts presented and explained the most relevant basic concepts, the European Union's policy framework, and some identified best practices in the field, as well as notions about the identification and involvement of stakeholders. Additionally, attendees participated in practical work sessions to facilitate the application of acquired knowledge.

Exchange Sessions

During the second transnational meeting of the URBACT In4Green network, some exchange sessions were organized among partners. One of these sessions was dedicated to peer review of the Local Baselines to receive feedback from partners for improving the initial diagnosis. Partners also had the opportunity to participate in exchanges on the status and design of URBACT Local Groups, where work with local stakeholders, and on the activities initially identified for testing at the local level.

Moreover, this second transnational meeting included the organization of the first Transfer Workshop on public-private cooperation, an opportunity for Avilés (Spain) and Sabadell (Spain) to present and share their best practices related to public-private sector cooperation and collaboration in the green industrial transition. In this session, partners could exchange ideas on transferable elements of these best practices to their local reality.

URBACT Methodology

Lead Expert Jose Costero facilitated some sessions in which partners could practically expand their knowledge of URBACT Methodology tools and concepts for sustainable and integrated urban development in Europe. Precisely, one of the main sessions was dedicated to the concept of integration in the development of local action plans, where the 12 aspects of urban integration were explained. In other sessions, partners could deepen their methodological knowledge of tools for stakeholder involvement and the design and execution of testing activities.

Study Visits

Taking advantage of the session organization in Solingen, In4Green partners were able to make study visits to two of the city's projects considered as best practices within the network: the Waste-to-Energy plant and the Transparent Workshop on urban production.

URBACT In4Green Network

The URBACT In4Green network consists of 10 European cities: Avilés and Sabadell (Spain), Vila Nova de Famalicao (Portugal), Navan (Ireland), Solingen (Germany), Salerno (Italy), Zd’ar nad Sazavou (Czech Republic), Dabrowa Gornicza (Poland), Bijelo Polje (Montenegro), and Larissa (Greece). These European cities have joined forces to jointly address the challenge of the green transition in small and medium-sized European industrial cities. This project is funded by the European Union's Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the URBACT IV Programme (2021-2027) under the first call for Action Planning Networks.

Pictures © Medienproduktion der Stadt Solingen.

Las redes en números

Del 1 de junio de 2023 al 31 de diciembre de 2025, 252 socios individuales de 28 países europeos se han embarcado en 30 Redes Action Planning Networks (APN) en el marco del programa URBACT IV. Dentro de este trayecto URBACT, su objetivo es desarrollar conocimientos y habilidades para diseñar y desarrollar conjuntamente Planes de Acción Integrados (PAI) a largo plazo que les permitan hacer frente a algún reto de su ciudad. Estos planes definirán las acciones que deberán llevarse a cabo, incluyendo plazos, responsabilidades, costes, fuentes de financiación, indicadores de seguimiento y evaluaciones de riesgos.

Cada red está compuesta por un líder (socio principal) y otros 8-10 socios de proyecto. Entre los 252 socios, la mitad son recién llegados al programa, mientras que la otra mitad ya tiene experiencia con URBACT III (2014-2020). 

Redes aprobadas por el Monitoring Comittee de URBACT IV. Fuente: URBACT

Todas las Action Planning Networks aprobadas en la última convocatoria (2023-2025) se ajustan a la Política de Cohesión de la UE y contribuirán a sus cinco objetivos políticos específicos: PO1 Una Europa más competitiva e inteligente; PO2 Una Europa más verde; PO3 Una Europa más conectada; PO4 Una Europa más social e integradora; y PO5 Una Europa más cercana a los ciudadanos.

Más allá de su diversidad geográfica, las 30 redes destacan también por su gran variedad temática. El método URBACT, que siguen todas las redes, garantiza la aplicación de un enfoque integrado. Es decir, independientemente del tema, se tienen en cuenta aspectos sociales, económicos, medioambientales y territoriales. 

Para ayudarle a navegar por la lista, las hemos agrupado a continuación por sus principales áreas temáticas: Gobernanza participativa; Planificación urbana; Desarrollo local; Acción por el clima; y Cohesión social.

Gobernanza participativa

Las redes de la temática de gobernanza participativa se centran en una amplia variedad de temas como la participación ciudadana, la salud, la localización de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible y muchos más.

Dirigida por Genk (BE), Agents of Co-Existence fomenta enfoques innovadores de los retos sociales y se esfuerza por lograr políticas locales integradoras con la participación de la comunidad mediante el refuerzo de las capacidades y competencias de los funcionarios y la creación de nuevas estructuras y culturas organizativas.

Desarrollar procesos de gobernanza adaptados a la realidad local es el principal objetivo de Cities for Sustainability Governance, con Espoo (FI) como socio principal, pero utilizando específicamente los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) de las Naciones Unidas como vehículo estratégico.

Desde el corazón de París (FR), las ciudades europeas implicadas en CITIES@HEART trabajan por un centro urbano equilibrado e inclusivo para todos los usuarios, invirtiendo la pérdida de atractivo para ciudades de diferentes tamaños y procedencias.

La red One Health 4 Cities, guiada por Lyon (FR), tiene como objetivo promover la integración del enfoque One Health en las estrategias y proyectos urbanos, desarrollando herramientas que capaciten a los responsables de la toma de decisiones y a los equipos operativos para aumentar el impacto positivo de los proyectos urbanos en el bienestar y la salud de las personas, los animales y el medio ambiente.

Planificación urbana

Las redes de planificación urbana abordan una serie de temas candentes como la movilidad, la accesibilidad, la sostenibilidad, los espacios públicos, los vínculos espaciales y la cohesión territorial. 

PUMA (Planning Urban Mobility Actions) ayuda a ciudades como Liepaja (LV), su socio principal, a desarrollar planes de acción de movilidad integrados para lograr una movilidad sostenible y neutra para el clima en ciudades pequeñas y medianas. Se centra en las personas, priorizando las necesidades y el bienestar de los individuos.

La red S.M.ALL trata de "Compartir soluciones urbanas hacia una movilidad accesible y sostenible para todos". Liderados por Ferrara (IT), navegan por la complejidad de dos paradigmas de movilidad URBACT: inclusividad y sostenibilidad.

Romagna Faentina (IT) está a la vanguardia de ECONNECTING - Greener & closer communities, una red que se centra en soluciones de movilidad urbana-rural sostenible dentro del territorio de los 30 minutos, diseñando y aplicando estrategias de proximidad para áreas funcionales rurales-urbanas.

SCHOOLHOODS pone la salud y la seguridad de los niños en el menú de un camino seguro, ecológico y feliz a la escuela. Lideradas por Rethymno (EL), las ciudades pertenecientes a esta red URBACT trabajan codo con codo con alumnos, padres y profesores para crear soluciones que permitan a los alumnos ir a la escuela de forma activa y por sí mismos. 

Desde Balbriggan (IE) hasta las fronteras de Europa, el principal objetivo de la red EcoCore es acelerar la transición ecológica, especialmente en los entornos laborales de las zonas industriales de las ciudades asociadas, que están pasando a utilizar fuentes de energía bajas en carbono para el transporte, la calefacción y la electricidad.

En su misión de conectar las comunidades urbano-rurales, Creacció Agència d'Emprenedoria de Vic (ES) lidera actualmente la red Beyond the Urban, que promueve la movilidad urbano-rural mediante la prueba y aplicación de soluciones de movilidad sostenibles, accesibles e integradas, centrándose en la intermodalidad, la gobernanza multinivel, la inclusión, la igualdad de género y las herramientas digitales.

Desarrollo local

La economía local, el marketing territorial y la transformación digital son algunos de los temas tratados por las redes de desarrollo local.

C4TALENT, cuyo socio principal es la ciudad de Nyíregyháza con derechos de condado (HU), persigue el objetivo de crear entornos favorables a las empresas y los startups en las ciudades para reducir los efectos de la fuga de cerebros, atrayendo y reteniendo a jóvenes profesionales con talento.

Después de que la pandemia COVID-19 acelerará la transformación en torno a la organización del trabajo, la Agencia de Desarrollo de Dubrovnik (HR) puso en marcha Remote-IT, una red que aborda los nuevos retos que están experimentando las ciudades en relación con el futuro del trabajo, facilitando el trabajo a distancia e híbrido para lograr ciudades prósperas.

Otra ciudad croata lidera una red de planificación de acciones de desarrollo local. Sibenik (HR) está al frente de Residents for the future, que aborda el problema de la despoblación urbana en las ciudades pequeñas y medianas. 

Con Fundão (PT) como socio principal, el principal objetivo de METACITY’s es aumentar la competitividad de las ciudades pequeñas y medianas con conciencia tecnológica, beneficiándose de la oportunidad de mejorar la eficiencia de los servicios y la satisfacción de los ciudadanos que ofrece el metaverso. 

NextGen YouthWork, dirigida por Eindhoven (NL), también está contribuyendo a la transformación digital, yendo un paso más allá y mejorando el trabajo juvenil en línea a través de soluciones digitales innovadoras a nivel de ciudad. 

Impulsar las comunidades locales no tecnológicas y digitales, que se enfrentan a retos específicos en términos de diversidad, igualdad de género e inclusión, es el objetivo de TechDiversity, una red compuesta por ciudades europeas pequeñas y medianas y dirigida por Trikala (EL).

Dirigida por Mollet del Vallès (ES), DIGI-INCLUSION también promueve la inclusión a través de herramientas digitales, abordando la exclusión social e impulsando la inclusión digital no sólo garantizando el acceso a la tecnología, sino permitiendo que las personas desarrollen las habilidades necesarias y adquieran la capacitación suficiente para aprovechar plenamente las oportunidades que ofrece el mundo digital.

La vida en las ciudades continúa incluso cuando oscurece. Esta es la principal afirmación de la red Cities After Dark. Liderada por Braga (PT), esta red promueve la "Economía Nocturna", a través de actividades que son esenciales para que una ciudad funcione 24 horas al día y desempeñe un papel significativo en la economía global. 

Acción por el clima

Las redes de acción climática abordan diversas preocupaciones: transición verde, economía circular, financiación verde y reconversión de espacios, entre otros temas.

La red COPE (Coherent Place-based Climate Action), impulsada por Copenhague (DK), libera los potenciales verdes de la acción ciudadana a través de un enfoque basado en el lugar, reconociendo a los ciudadanos y a los grupos de acción local como partes interesadas fundamentales que trabajan para acelerar la transición verde.

Liderada por Múnich (DE), LET'S GO CIRCULAR! cities se centra en la transición circular de las ciudades. Esta red aborda todas las cuestiones relevantes para una estrategia holística de los ecosistemas circulares de las ciudades, fomentando soluciones innovadoras.

Los socios de BiodiverCity, con el apoyo de Dunaújváros (HU) como socio principal, apoyan y capacitan a las comunidades para planificar soluciones potentes basadas en la naturaleza, fomentar comportamientos ciudadanos favorables al medio ambiente y elaborar planes de ecologización urbana, contribuyendo a la consecución de la Estrategia de Biodiversidad de la UE.

In4Green es una red de colaboración de ciudades industriales, encabezada por Avilés (ES), con un compromiso compartido: implementar la transición verde en áreas/ciudades industriales sin dejar de ser competitivas e inclusivas.

Restaurar zonas urbanas "olvidadas" para convertirlas en lugares valiosos para y con los residentes es la misión de GreenPlace. Esta red liderada por Wroclaw (PL) pretende restaurar espacios urbanos y hacerlos amables tanto para los residentes como para el medio ambiente, optimizando el uso de los recursos existentes en el contexto de la crisis ecológica y la situación financiera y geopolítica.

Cohesión social

Las redes temáticas sobre cohesión social abordan diversos temas, desde la regeneración urbana y la creación de lugares hasta el género, la igualdad, la diversidad y la inclusión.

Bajo la dirección de Clermont Auvergne Métropole (FR), el objetivo de FEMACT-Cities es apoyar la redacción de ocho "Planes de Acción Local sobre Igualdad de Género" acerca de los principales retos en materia de libertad y empoderamiento de las mujeres, a través de la protección, la educación, la emancipación y la autonomía económica.

GenProcure también aborda la igualdad de género, centrándose en la contratación pública con perspectiva de género, y está encabezada por Vila Nova de Famalicão (PT). Esta red promueve la igualdad de género a través del trabajo en compras, suministros y servicios en el sector público. 

Re-Gen es una red europea de ciudades liderada por Verona (IT) que pretende apoyar el desarrollo urbano sostenible y la inclusión social gracias al protagonismo de estudiantes de secundaria, de entre 10 y 18 años, procedentes de entornos desfavorecidos.

La U.R. Impact liderada por Cinisello Balsamo (IT) prioriza el impacto social en la regeneración urbana, garantizando la inclusión social y el desarrollo comunitario durante la renovación urbana. Sitúan a los ciudadanos y su bienestar social, económico y medioambiental en el centro de los procesos.

El principal objetivo de Breaking Isolation, una red impulsada por Agen (FR) que lucha contra el aislamiento creando lazos sociales y vínculos entre jóvenes y mayores y promoviendo la diversidad social.

Con el fin de construir sociedades más inclusivas y resilientes, WELDI capacita a las autoridades locales para una integración digna de los inmigrantes recién llegados. Para lograr este objetivo, las ciudades de esta red, liderada por Utrecht (NL), colaboran con los inmigrantes y otros residentes, así como con socios locales, nacionales e internacionales.

La red ARCHETHICS reúne a ciudades europeas que comparten la presencia de un patrimonio vinculado a un pasado histórico complejo y controvertido (regímenes totalitarios, fronteras conflictivas, etc.), como su socio principal Cesena (IT). Su objetivo es transformar el patrimonio en lugares en los que lugareños y visitantes compartan conocimientos y lleguen a una comprensión multiperspectiva del pasado y a nuevas visiones de futuro.

Acompaña a las redes a lo largo de su trayecto

Esta es sólo una instantánea de las Action Planning Networks de URBACT, pero no os perdáis la información que os van a ir proporcionando los expertos y las propias ciudades asociadas. También podeis seguir el recorrido de estas redes en las páginas de sus proyectos y en las redes sociales, beneficiarse de las lecciones aprendidas y probarlas en vuestra propia ciudad.

Este artículo ha sido traducido de la página de URBACT; aquí el original:

https://urbact.eu/whats-new/stories/european-cities-driving-change-through-urbact-action-planning-networks

Networks in numbers

From 1 June 2023 to 31 December 2025, 252 individual partners from 28 European countries have embarked on 30 Action Planning Networks (APN), under the URBACT IV programme. Within their URBACT journey, they aim to build their knowledge and skills to co-design and develop long-term Integrated Action Plans (IAP) to tackle their local challenges. These plans will define the actions to be implemented, covering timings, responsibilities, costings, funding sources, monitoring indicators and risk assessments. 

Each network is composed of a Lead Partner and another 8-10 project partners. Among the 252 partners, half are newcomers to the programme while the other half already has experience with URBACT III (2014-2020).  

Networks approved by the URBACT IV Monitoring Committee. Source: URBACT 

All the approved URBACT Action Planning Networks (2023-2025) are aligned with the EU Cohesion Policy and will contribute to its five specific Policy Objectives (POs): PO1 A more competitive and smarter Europe; PO2 A greener Europe; PO3 A more connected Europe; PO4 A more social and inclusive Europe; and PO5 A Europe closer to citizens. 

Beyond their geographic diversity, the 30 networks also stand out for their wide variety of topics. The URBACT method, which all networks follow, ensures that an integrated approach is applied; stated simply, regardless of the topic, the social, economic, environmental and territorial aspects are considered.  

To help you navigate the list, we have clustered them here by their main thematic areas: Participative governance; Urban planning; Local development; Climate action; and Social cohesion. 

Participative governance 

Networks under the participative governance thematic focus on a wide variety of topics, including citizen engagement, health, localising the Sustainable Development Goals and much more. 

Led by Genk (BE), Agents of Co-Existence fosters innovative approaches to societal challenges and strives for inclusive local policies with active community involvement by strengthening the skills and competences of civil servants and creating new organisational structures and cultures. 

Developing locally-adapted governance processes is the main objective of Cities for Sustainability Governance, with Espoo (FI) as the Lead Partner, but specifically by using UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a strategic vehicle. 

From the heart of Paris (FR), the European cities involved in CITIES@HEART work towards a balanced and inclusive city centre for all users, reversing the loss of attractiveness for cities of different sizes and backgrounds. 

The One Health 4 Cities network, guided by Lyon (FR), aims to promote the integration of the One Health approach into urban strategies and projects, developing tools that empower decision-makers and operational teams to increase the positive impact of urban projects on the well-being and health of people, animals and the environment. 

Urban planning 

Urban planning networks address a range of hot topics such as mobility, accessibility, sustainability, public spaces, spatial linkages and territorial cohesion.  

PUMA (Planning Urban Mobility Actions) helps cities such as Liepaja (LV), its Lead Partner, develop integrated mobility action plans in order to achieve climate-neutral and sustainable mobility in small and medium-sized cities. It is people-centric, prioritising the needs and well-being of individuals. 

The S.M.ALL network is all about “Sharing urban solutions towards accessible, sustainable mobility for all.” Led by Ferrara (IT), they navigate the complexity of two URBACT mobility paradigms: inclusivity and sustainability. 

Romagna Faentina (IT) is at the forefront of ECONNECTING - Greener & closer communities, a network that focuses on sustainable urban-rural mobility solutions within the 30-minute territory, designing and implementing proximity strategies for rural-urban functional areas. 

SCHOOLHOODS puts children’s health and safety on the menu of a safe, green and happy way to school. Led by Rethymno (EL), the cities belonging to this URBACT network work hand-in-hand with pupils, parents and teachers to co-create solutions allowing pupils to actively go to school on their own.  

From Balbriggan (IE) to the borders of Europe, the main goal of the EcoCore network is to accelerate the green transition especially in the work environments of the industrial areas of the partner cities, which are transitioning to low-carbon energy sources for transportation, heating and electricity. 

In a mission to connect urban-rural communities, Creacció Agència d'Emprenedoria of Vic (ES) is currently leading the Beyond the Urban network, which promotes urban-rural mobility through the testing and implementation of sustainable, accessible and integrated mobility solutions, with a focus on intermodality, multi-level governance, inclusion, gender equality, and digital tools. 

Local development 

Local economy, territorial marketing and digital transformation are a few of the topics covered by the local development networks. 

C4TALENT, whose Lead Partner is Nyíregyháza City with County Rights (HU), pursues the objective of building business & startup friendly environments in cities to lessen the effects of brain drain, attracting and retaining talented young professionals. 

After the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the transformation around how work is organised, Dubrovnik Development Agency (HR) initiated Remote-IT, a network that tackles the new challenges cities are experiencing connected to the future of work by facilitating the remote and hybrid work for thriving cities. 

Another Croatian city is leading a local development action planning network. Sibenik (HR) is at the head of Residents of the future, which addresses the issue of urban depopulation within small and medium-sized cities.  

With Fundão (PT) as a Lead Partner, METACITY’s main goal is to increase competitiveness of small and medium tech-aware cities, benefiting from the opportunity to enhance service efficiency and citizen satisfaction provided by the metaverse.  

NextGen YouthWork, headed by Eindhoven (NL), is also contributing to the digital transformation, by going one step further and improving online youth work through innovative digital solutions at the city level.  

Boosting no-tech and digital local communities, facing specific challenges in terms of diversity, gender equality and inclusion, is the objective of TechDiversity, a network composed of small and medium-sized European cities and guided by Trikala (EL). 

Led by Mollet del Vallès (ES), DIGI-INCLUSION also promotes inclusion through digital tools, tackling social exclusion and boosting digital inclusion not only by granting access to technology but by enabling people to develop the necessary skills and to become sufficiently empowered to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the digital world. 

Life in cities continues even after dark. This is the main statement of the network Cities After Dark. Led by Braga (PT), this network promotes the 'Night Economy', through activities that are essential for a city to function 24 hours a day and play a significant role in the global economy.  

Climate action 

Climate action networks tackle several concerns; green transition, circular economy, green funding and reconversion of spaces, among other subjects. 

The COPE (Coherent Place-based Climate Action) network, driven by Copenhagen (DK), unlocks the green potentials of citizen action through a place-based approach, recognising citizens and local action groups as fundamental stakeholders working to accelerate the green transition. 

Led by Munich (DE), LET'S GO CIRCULAR! cities focus on the circular transition of cities. This network addresses all issues relevant to a holistic strategy of circular city ecosystems, fostering innovative solutions. 

The BiodiverCity partners, with the support of Dunaújváros (HU) as Lead Partner, support and enable communities to plan powerful, nature-based solutions, foster pro-environmental citizen behaviours and draft Urban Greening Plans, contributing to the achievement of the EU Biodiversity Strategy. 

In4Green is a collaborative network of industrial cities, headed by Avilés (ES), with a shared commitment: to implement the green transition in industrial areas/cities while remaining competitive and inclusive. 

Restoring “forgotten” urban areas into valuable places for and with residents is the mission of GreenPlace. This Wroclaw-led (PL) network aims to restore urban spaces and make them friendly to both the residents and the environment, by optimising the use of existing resources in the context of ecological crisis, the financial and geopolitical situation. 

Social cohesion 

A variety of topics are addressed by the social cohesion thematic networks, from urban regeneration and place-making to gender, equality, diversity and inclusion. 

Under the leadership of Clermont Auvergne Métropole (FR), the objective of FEMACT-Cities is to support the drafting of eight “Local Action Plans on Gender Equality” about the main challenges regarding women's liberty and empowerment, through protection, education, emancipation and economic autonomy. 

GenProcure also addresses gender equality, focusing on Gender-Responsive Public Procurement, and it is headed by Vila Nova de Famalicão (PT). This network promotes gender equality through working purchases, supplies and services in the public sector.  

Re-Gen is a European network of cities led by Verona (IT) that aims to support sustainable urban development and social inclusion thanks to the protagonism of secondary school students, aged between 10 and 18, from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

The Cinisello Balsamo-led (IT) U.R. Impact prioritises social impact in urban regeneration, ensuring social inclusion and community development during urban renewal. They place citizens and their social, economic and environmental well-being at the centre of the processes. 

The main goal of Breaking Isolation, a network driven by Agen (FR) that fights against isolation by creating social bonds and links between young and elderly and promoting social diversity. 

In order to build more inclusive and resilient societies, WELDI empowers local authorities for a dignified integration of newly arrived migrants. In achieving this objective, cities of this network, led by Utrecht (NL), collaborate with migrants and other residents, as well as with local, national and international partners. 

ARCHETHICS network brings together European cities that share the presence of heritage linked to a complex and controversial historical past (totalitarian regimes, contentious borders, etc), such as its Lead Partner Cesena (IT). Their goal is to transform the heritage into places for locals and visitors to share knowledge and come to multi-perspective understandings of the past and new visions for the future. 

Follow the network journey

This is just a snapshot of the URBACT Action Planning Networks, but stay tuned for more insights from the Lead Experts and partner cities, themselves! You can also follow the journey of these networks on their project pages and social media, benefit from the lessons learned and try them in your own city. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          .                       

The linear economic model – why can’t things just stay the same

The working group kicked off by reflecting on some of the inefficiencies and impacts of the current take, make, waste system of production and consumption.

A picture of dying Lough Neagh - a putrid green, provided a stark image of what happens when narrow economic interests take precedence over the wider social, economic and environmental needs of society.

Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the UK and on the island of Ireland, provides 40% of the drinking water of Northern Ireland. It provides vital tourism, leisure and fishing related ecosystem services to the people there and is arguably the region’s most valuable natural asset.

Now, it is dying.

Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland

The lake has become a nutrient dense toxic soup as a result of increasing run-off from agricultural land and human sewage systems. It is no longer capable of sustaining the rich and vibrant ecosystems to which it was once home. It is choking and for anyone brave enough to venture nearby the stench is unbearable[1].

But this is not an isolated case. Yet, as we strive further towards agricultural intensification and increasing food production, more and more people go hungry each year[2], while over 30%[3] of food is wasted along the value chain.

This is both inefficient and ineffective. But it is not a characteristic unique to the food system. This is a characteristic of the linear system of production and consumption as a whole.

A system that is well and truly broken.

The linear economic model relies on high volume inputs of virgin resources and cheap labour to feed its endless appetite for economic growth and profit, all the while resulting in increasing biodiversity loss, environmental pollution and growing social inequity. Meanwhile our thirst for consumption does not cease and global resource extraction is predicted to rise by 60% by 2060[4].

The system is broken.

Can Circular Economy be the change we need?

The circular model of production and consumption provides us with some hope of emerging from this current mess. A regenerative and restorative economic model, it does not focus on economic growth alone but also strives to benefit both the environment and society. The circular economy model is based on the three key principles of (i) designing out waste and pollution, (ii) keeping products and materials in use and (iii) regenerating natural systems.

Can Cities Lead the Change towards a circular economy?

While cities are drivers of consumption and production they can also be agents of systemic change. 75% of Europe’s population live in cities which are renowned for their potential to be epicentres of innovation. Cities of course are also business and commercial hubs. 80% of cities and regions surveyed by the OECD identified the business sector as a key player in contributing to the development and implementation of circular economy initiatives[5]. Businesses recognise that climate change is the biggest threat to the future sustainability[6] of their business and many of them are making great strides towards more circular business models.

Several examples of these models were shared during the workshop with can be seen in the visual here below:

Figure 1: Five business models of circularity with examples

Industrial symbiosis was also discussed and a case study example was shared from the public, private and intermunicipal collaboration which is Green Hub Denmark, encompassing industrial areas in Northern Denmark with the Port of Aalborg, a focal point. This collaboration between six municipalities, two universities, three energy companies, four business associations, one port authority (Aalborg), one housing association, one regional government organisation, a regional EU office and Invest in Aalborg, is a great example of what can be achieved through strategic stakeholder collaboration at a regional scale.

Green Hub Denmark acts as a facilitator by enabling development, validation, testing & demonstration of green business models, solutions & technologies in real life testing environments. The typical value of industrial symbiosis to SMEs operating in this area ranges between €4,000 - €6,500 per year. You can learn more about Green Hub Denmark here.

Going a step further, examples of urban industrial symbiosis, where material exchanges are extended to include a nearby city, were also provided. The Amazon data centre in Dublin provides waste heat to a district heating network servicing  South Dublin County Council buildings as well as to a university & apartment complex. This covers 100% of their heat demand and results in 1,500 tonnes of Co2 savings annually. The system is managed by a not for profit heat utility company fully owned by South Dublin County Council.

Before diving deeper into further case studies participants were asked to reflect on the barriers towards progressing to a circular economy within their own cities. Participants included private and academic representatives as well as public sector participants. They cited barriers such as a lack of effective communication and awareness raising, regulatory barriers, lack of a circular economy culture and lack of a strategic vision.

Having reflected on the opening, exploratory and closing stages of the idea generation process, partners were invited to brainstorm in small groups what actions their municipalities could take to become a champion of change and lead the shift to circular. A wide range of ideas emerged from showcasing circular businesses so that others might be inspired to developing circular economy hubs.

Group work © Medienproduktion der Stadt Solingen

The workshop sought to provide additional inspiration by showcasing further case studies including the development of a reuse shop in the city of Opole, the development of a circular economy guide to support SME’s to adopt circular practices in Ciudad Real, the development of a cross sectoral circular economy hub and innovation space in Mechelen, known as the Impact Factory and the use of circular economy hubs as new model for community building in the city of Oslo, following on the model of Vollebekk Factory.

How to Involve Stakeholders?

Since the circular economy involves system change it will not emerge on its own. Instead it will require collaborative efforts across the value chain, involving individuals, the private sector, different levels of government and civil society.

Ensuring thus the active involvement of stakeholders is an essential part of the process. In fact knowledge and awareness of the local circular ecosystem of actors and stakeholders is a prerequisite for effective action design.

 There are two key strands to consider in preparing the ground for stakeholder involvement. These are (a) knowledge and awareness of circular economy actors and their needs and (b)  knowledge of who can support the transition or influence change and how to mobilise them.

Figure 2: Ecosystem awareness: a prerequisite for effective action design

This baseline knowledge will help to inform effective action design. A city’s actions should ultimately reflect the identified needs and challenges of various city stakeholders when it comes to the circular economy. The working group reflected on a city circular economy journey map put forward by the ad hoc expert which showcased a five stage journey, each stage with their own characteristics and related potential city actions.

Figure 3: City Circular Economy Journey Map

Tools to support designing solutions:

The workshop concluded with further group work. Participants mapped their initial brainstormed ideas on an attractiveness map which mapped ideas in a grid categorising them based on impact potential and the degree to which they would be challenging to implement.

Each group chose one idea to take forward and further develop using a designing solutions brainstorming board (based on the test card developed Strategyzer) which served to flesh out details of the action that could later be refined in an action table.

The workshop finished with a call to action reminding participants of their potential to act as changemakers and asking them to reflect on this, on what role they can play in leading the shift to circular, both in their own organisation and within their city.

Key Takeaways

The linear economic system is well and truly broken and the impacts of this are becoming painfully and shockingly evident on a wide scale. A systemic shift towards circularity provides some hope. Cities can play an important role in promoting, facilitating and enabling this, but effective collaboration with their broad ecosystem of stakeholders is vital. Knowledge and awareness of this ecosystem is an important first step in effective action and solution design. Co-creation tools can help this often complex co-design process. Support from an experienced facilitator is also invaluable. Finally, we must never forget that each of us has a role to play in pushing forward this change.

What will your role be?

Keywords: #circular economy #innovation ecosystem #collaboration #integrated action planning #co-design tools #circular hub #industrial symbiosis #circular business models

It’s been over 25 years since the signing of the Treaty of Amsterdam, the legal document that made gender equality compulsory in the European Union. The work on the topic however has a longer history, as even before that, a handful of Member States were already enacting their own gender equality policies. 

A wide range of laws and measures that have been put in place to combat inequality in the last quarter century, and yet it continues to be a main policy topic. So, why are we still talking about gender equality? Haven’t we moved beyond this topic?

Unfortunately, the reality is that not only haven’t we closed the gap between men and women in terms of wages, pensions, school achievement, participation in STEM fields, number of political representatives, and many other topics; in fact, recent data from the European Institute on Gender Equality (EIGE) shows that, on the whole, the EU-27 are still far from achieving gender equality. These statistics, which come from the Gender Equality Index 2022, attributed the stalling or fluctuations in progress predominantly to the gendered effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While all 27 Member States have enacted federal laws to translate the principle of gender equality into the national legal framework, implementation at local level remains uneven and tends to favour certain topics, despite the fact that women continue to experience urban spaces, public services, the labour market, education and training and even healthcare in Europe differently than men. Despite nearly a quarter-century of policy, the role of gender equality as a cross-cutting topic that is vital to all policy areas remains poorly understood. 

This does not mean that there haven’t been some positive trends. Disparities between Member States have decreased between 2010-2022. Furthermore, there has been an increase of women in decision-making roles across 19 Member States since 2020. According to the Gender Equality Index 2023, this is a key driver of gender equality, more generally. 

A handful of cities and regions, for example Vienna (AT), Barcelona (ES), Umeå (SE) and the Basque Country (ES), have made a concerted point of focusing on the role of gender in urban and regional development and have worked to push policy innovation and new approaches, including in sectors which were previously not considered relevant. Some of these cities are documented in URBACT’s Gender Equal Cities - Inspirations and Knowledge series, which is filled with testimonials and interviews from URBACT experts, partners and workshop coordinators.

However, the reality for many more municipalities, intermunicipal areas and regional authorities in Europe is that their work on gender equality implementation is hampered by knowledge and data gaps, lack of dedicated personnel, lack of awareness, lack of political support and both active and passive resistance. 
For gender equality to become a reality in European cities and regions, it is critical not only to work across sectors and with a variety of stakeholders but also to work on awareness, acceptance and training at the municipal or organisational level, identifying and actively combatting stereotypes and raising awareness and allyship among men, who are all too frequently missing from the conversation. Networking and peer learning between municipalities can help transfer knowledge and effective practices as well as increase the effectiveness of those working on this topic and the policies they develop.

FEMACT-Cities & gender equality policy: taking on the implementation gap

Against this backdrop, the URBACT FEMACT-Cities Action Planning Network seeks to improve the implementation of gender equality on a local level and to increase innovation and knowledge sharing in gender equality in topics shared by the partners. Following on the success of other cities, the network’s work plan will focus on both internal and structural gender mainstreaming in the partner organisations and three thematic clusters shared by the partners: urban development, labour market and training, and health and safety. The goal of the network is to create cities and regions in which all residents, irrespective of gender, can experience freedom of movement, freedom from violence, freedom from fear, freedom to pursue their dreams, and freedom to reach their full potential.

FEMACT-Cities is composed of eight partners (Länsstyrelsen Skåne (SE), Comunidade Intermunicipal da Região de Coimbra (PT), Clermont-Auvergne Métropole (FR), Kraków (PL), Turin (IT), Municipality of Postojna (SI), Cluj Metropolitan Area Intercommunity Development Association (RO), and Szabolcs 05 Regional Development Association of Municipalities (HU)) who have embarked on a two-year journey of learning, sharing and testing in order to create integrated action plans for their local policy challenges. This network will tackle a host of topics, including gender-based violence, women’s health issues and gendered approaches to mobility planning. It will build on and complement the work of the URBACT Action Planning Network GenderedLandscape (2019-2022).

Doing the work: more from URBACT

To learn more about URBACT’s work on gender equality and how it affects your sector, check out the Gender Equal Cities report (2022), which is packed with case studies, helpful tools and methods. 

Watch this video for an introduction to gender-responsive public procurement.

You can also get a refresher on 10 times URBACT has driven change for gender equal cities in recent years.

Photo by Christian Lue.

Submitted by Mary Dellenbaugh on 28/11/2023.
 

La mayoría de las estrategias y agendas urbanas consideran las horas comprendidas entre la primera hora de la tarde y la primera de la mañana como un espacio para el consumo, con una atención significativa a las industrias tradicionalmente asociadas a la noche, como el ocio y la hostelería. Sin embargo, la economía nocturna es también un campo productivo con una serie de servicios que funcionan de noche, como el transporte público, la logística, la recogida de residuos y la sanidad, todos ellos fundamentales para mantener nuestras ciudades plenamente operativas las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana.

Camareros, limpiadores, conductores, enfermeros y trabajadores logísticos son sólo algunas de las categorías profesionales de los trabajadores "de noche". Si observamos el impacto de la economía nocturna en la mano de obra local en todo el mundo: en Nueva York, la economía nocturna mantiene 300.000 puestos de trabajo sólo en el sector de la cultura y el ocio (hostelería, bares, artes, deporte y ocio), mientras que en Londres 1,6 millones de personas trabajan de noche en diversos sectores (191.000 personas trabajan en la sanidad, 178.000 en servicios profesionales, 168.000 en cultura y ocio).

De acuerdo con estas observaciones, la división del trabajo en función del género deja espacio para las desigualdades en la economía nocturna. Sólo el 38% de los trabajadores nocturnos de Londres son mujeres, y las estadísticas no tienen plenamente en cuenta las responsabilidades asistenciales que asumen mayoritariamente las mujeres en casa durante las horas nocturnas.

Reformar el funcionamiento nocturno de las ciudades para las mujeres es clave para mejorar la empleabilidad y la sensación de seguridad, pero también para contrarrestar cualquier forma de acoso sexual y promover la igualdad de género mediante nuevos servicios y funciones.

Todos a bordo por unas ciudades más seguras

Favorecer el acceso de las mujeres a mejores empleos nocturnos es un reto que debe abordarse en varias dimensiones en las ciudades. La percepción de la seguridad en los espacios públicos es un elemento decisivo que también afecta a las elecciones laborales de las mujeres. Según el Informe 2023 sobre la calidad de vida en las ciudades europeas, las mujeres tienen menos probabilidades que los hombres de sentirse seguras en la ciudad por la noche (67% frente a 72%).

El acceso a modos de transporte público frecuentes, seguros y fiables es un aspecto crucial para reducir las desigualdades en el acceso a la economía nocturna. "Las mujeres suelen rechazar trabajos debido a los turnos de noche. Esperar un autobús nocturno o un tren por la noche puede ser muy problemático, y a menudo nos impide a las mujeres utilizar estos modos de movilidad, obligándonos a gastar mucho más que los hombres para volver a casa de una forma más segura con los servicios de taxi o de transporte compartido. El uso de soluciones TIC podría ser útil para analizar cómo utilizan las mujeres el transporte nocturno, pero también para crear aplicaciones más sencillas para denunciar el acoso y la violencia que se producen en el transporte público", afirma Nourhan Bassam, urbanista y autora de The Gendered City.

Autobús nocturno en Tallinn. Fuente: Cities After Dark.

El proyecto piloto de autobuses nocturnos puesto en marcha por Tallin (EE), uno de los socios de Cities After Dark, de mayo a septiembre de 2023 ofreció un importante servicio para trabajadores y fiesteros, con cuatro líneas que conectan el centro de la ciudad con distintos barrios periféricos. "Los autobuses nocturnos pueden ser cruciales para mejorar la sensación de seguridad de las mujeres por la noche, ofreciendo una alternativa sostenible y segura para desplazarse al trabajo o simplemente para disfrutar de la ciudad por la noche", afirma Natalie Mets, asesora nocturna de Tallin y coordinadora del Grupo Local URBACT.

Abordar la brecha de género en los desplazamientos nocturnos es una prioridad compartida por ciudades de todo el mundo. En Bombay, el proyecto SafeCity pretende crear experiencias urbanas y de movilidad más seguras para todos mediante el análisis de datos recogidos con encuestas en línea y auditorías de diseño urbano sobre cómo se mueven las mujeres por las calles, mercados e intercambiadores de transporte de noche. El proyecto, apoyado por la Universidad de Stanford, Vital Voices y el Departamento de Estado de EE.UU., elaboró diez principios que pueden reproducirse en otros contextos urbanos. Entre ellos figuran la participación activa de las mujeres en proyectos de diseño urbano, la organización de paseos nocturnos colectivos para volver a casa con seguridad y el fomento de la participación de las mujeres en la mano de obra urbana nocturna. El aumento de la presencia de mujeres taxistas por la noche en una ciudad como Bombay es un ejemplo de que los servicios de taxi exclusivamente femeninos han adquirido una visibilidad considerable en la última década.

Cuanto más sabemos: Formación y educación para mejorar las condiciones de trabajo

Si una ciudad quiere garantizar el derecho a la noche para todos, es crucial concienciar, desde los trabajadores hasta los asistentes a las fiestas, sobre cómo prevenir y contrarrestar cualquier forma de acoso sexual. Según un estudio de la Agencia Europea de Derechos Fundamentales, el 90% de las víctimas de acoso sexual son mujeres, y 1 de cada 3 mujeres ha sufrido violencia física o sexual durante su vida adulta.

Para hacer frente a la sensación de inseguridad que experimentan muchas mujeres mientras viajan y trabajan, Londres (Reino Unido) lanzó la Carta de Seguridad Nocturna de las Mujeres. Esta carta compromete a las organizaciones, locales y empresas firmantes que operan por la noche a diseñar espacios públicos y lugares de trabajo más seguros para las mujeres, nombrar a un defensor dentro de la organización responsable de promover la seguridad nocturna de las mujeres, promover campañas de comunicación sobre estos temas y formar al personal para garantizar que se registran y responden todas las denuncias de acoso presentadas por mujeres. El alcalde Sadiq Khan ha invertido más de 100.000 libras (unos 117.000 euros) para desarrollar actividades de formación, actos para compartir buenas prácticas y recursos de apoyo a los firmantes voluntarios. Entre estos recursos, se ha elaborado, en colaboración con la campaña nacional por una vida nocturna más segura "Good Night Out", el conjunto de herramientas de la Carta de Seguridad Nocturna de las Mujeres, con el fin de ofrecer ideas e inspiración para poner en práctica los compromisos, haciendo especial hincapié en la mejora de las cualificaciones del personal y en formas innovadoras de comunicarse con los clientes.

En París (FR), la ONG Consentis, socia de la red URBACT Cities After Dark, une fuerzas con el Consejo de la Noche de la ciudad (Conseil de la nuit) para mejorar la seguridad en los eventos públicos, donde afirman que el 60% de las mujeres han sido víctimas de agresiones sexuales o violencia. Organizan actividades de formación para artistas, personal y organizadores, y colocan puestos temporalmente en el exterior de discotecas populares, locales de música y festivales. "Nuestra estrategia consiste en aprovechar la oportunidad para hablar del consentimiento sexual en eventos y festivales, porque los clubes y espacios culturales son lugares a los que la gente acude con ánimo festivo y está abierta a escuchar mensajes positivos", explica Julie Lalloué, coordinadora de Consentis y miembro del Grupo Local de la red en París. Difundir información sobre la cultura del consentimiento en lugares alegres no es sólo una forma de reducir el acoso durante los eventos, sino también de educar a la gente para que se comporte mejor en los espacios privados, en una ciudad como París donde la mayoría de los delitos violentos que se producen por la noche tienen lugar en propiedades privadas.

ONG Consentis. Fuente: Cities After Dark

Mejorar la seguridad de las mujeres que trabajan en el sector del ocio nocturno es otra prioridad clave para Consentis, que promovió la campaña Réinventer la nuit (Reinventar la noche) en octubre de 2023 para contrarrestar la violencia sexual contra los DJ. Se lanzó un manifiesto para promover una serie de principios para que el trabajo cultural nocturno sea más seguro para las mujeres y las personas LGBTQi. La campaña también ha producido una serie de protocolos para la seguridad de artistas y locales de música destinados a crear un mejor entorno de trabajo a través de medidas de prevención y concienciación para diferentes grupos, como asistentes a fiestas, organizadores de eventos y agencias de contratación.

La aplicación de medidas para mejorar la seguridad en bares y discotecas también puede hacer que estos locales sean más acogedores para las mujeres. "En una serie de talleres que organicé en Barcelona me sorprendió ver que las jóvenes decían sentirse más seguras en las calles de la ciudad que dentro de un club. Normalmente pensamos que es mejor estar dentro, pero no siempre es cierto. La calidad de los locales suele ser mala: no hay baños funcionales ni control sobre quién tiene acceso a estos locales. Es un tema muy delicado que hay que gestionar con el uso de datos cualitativos para saber quién y cómo utiliza estos locales por la noche", afirma Andreina Seijas, asociada de Gehl e investigadora sobre gobernanza y planificación nocturna.

Nuevos servicios y oportunidades para las mujeres

La creación de servicios innovadores para apoyar la empleabilidad y, más en general, la calidad de vida de las mujeres por la noche es también un elemento importante de las estrategias urbanas sobre economía nocturna. Braga (PT), socio principal de la red URBACT Cities After Dark, está a punto de poner en marcha la primera guardería 24 horas a partir de septiembre de 2024. El Clube do Pequenos (literalmente, Club de los Pequeños ) está cerca de la Universidad del Miño y del hospital de la ciudad y acogerá a niños desde el nacimiento hasta los tres años. Este servicio será especialmente útil para los padres que trabajan en los servicios sanitarios y educativos, aliviando a las mujeres que comparten la mayor parte de las responsabilidades de cuidado de los niños y otros familiares vulnerables o ancianos después del anochecer: según el Índice de Igualdad de Género 2019 del EIGE, en Portugal el 87% de las mujeres cuidan de su familia durante 1 hora o más al día, en comparación con el 79% de los hombres, mientras que alrededor del 78% de las mujeres cocinan y realizan tareas domésticas todos los días al menos durante una hora, en comparación con solo el 19% de los hombres, lo que se encuentra entre las brechas de género más amplias de la UE.

Guardería nocturna. Fuente: Cities After Dark

Espacios públicos dinámicos para que las mujeres ocupen su lugar

El acceso de las mujeres a la economía nocturna implica no sólo una mejor planificación de los espacios públicos y las zonas verdes, con sistemas de iluminación y seguridad, sino también estrategias para mantener estos espacios públicos animados por la noche con actividades culturales y comerciales, precisamente fomentando la participación de las trabajadoras y otros usuarios en la economía nocturna. Así lo ejemplificó el proyecto ToNite de la UIA de Turín (IT), que financió 20 microproyectos para reactivar los espacios públicos de las zonas suburbanas a lo largo del río Dora con festivales de teatro, proyecciones de películas, actividades deportivas y programas de idiomas a los que asistieron sobre todo mujeres de comunidades inmigrantes. Las actividades organizadas en calles y parques públicos dieron una respuesta positiva a las diferentes generaciones de mujeres que reclamaban espacios públicos por la noche, aumentando su participación en el ámbito público.

Los autobuses nocturnos de Tallin antes mencionados son un servicio permanente a partir de este año (2024), un logro clave para la asesora nocturna. Esto habla de la mayor atención que prestan las mujeres con responsabilidades de gobierno en la economía nocturna a la mejora de los servicios para la seguridad y la calidad de vida de las mujeres por la noche. Un estudio realizado a nivel mundial entre alcaldes y asesores nocturnos en 2018 mostró que solo el 26% eran mujeres, pero algo está cambiando. "La planificación urbana ha sido tradicionalmente un campo dominado por hombres, pero es interesante notar que cada vez más mujeres se están involucrando como líderes en la economía nocturna y están teniendo mayor influencia en la gobernanza de este sector porque muchas de ellas trabajan en el ámbito cultural o en espacios queer, por lo que pueden aportar una nueva perspectiva", dice Andreina Seijas.

Aunque la brecha de género puede persistir, no es insalvable gracias a las estrategias urbanas locales y a los nuevos servicios destinados a hacer de la economía nocturna una palanca de crecimiento, sostenibilidad e igualdad en las ciudades.

Siga a la red Cities After Dark en su página oficial y en LinkedIn para más inspiración.

Para más inspiración sobre la igualdad de género en la política urbana, visite la página de la red FEMACT-Cities y GenProcure y explore el Centro de Conocimiento de Ciudades con Igualdad de Género.

Este artículo ha sido traducido de la página de URBACT cuyo autor es Simone d'Antonio

Versión original