On Friday, February 28, 2025, the 6th meeting of the URBACT Local Group (ULG) was held in Pula (HR) as part of the URBACT - C4TALENT project. Following the presentation of the Conceptual Urban and Architectural Plan for the entire Vallelunga area and the establishment of the Pula Innovation Center in December last year, this meeting was designed and conducted as a field visit to the Vallelunga zone.
Vallelunga is a significant brownfield site in Pula that the city aims to reinvent into a vibrant and innovative urban space.
The primary goal of the first meeting of the year was to gain insight into the current state of the area and conduct a joint analysis of its spatial potential. The field visit began at the northern entrance to the zone, continued to the bridge at Mandrač on the eastern side, and extended to the westernmost part of Vallelunga. Throughout the meeting, specific structures were examined, followed by a brainstorming session on-site that led to constructive ideas regarding the development possibilities of different areas within Vallelunga. The discussion focused on innovation, science and research, cultural and social activities, as well as sports and recreation. As the visit came to an end, the working group unanimously agreed that Vallelunga represents an invaluable resource for the city of Pula, offering immense potential as a foundation for a fresh start and the future development of the city's identity. The next steps include reviewing the findings from the field visit and conducting further joint analysis at the upcoming ULG meeting scheduled for June.
So far, the ULG working group has held a total of five meetings, each recording significant participation from its members. The meetings bring together representatives from various sectors, including academia, municipal companies, cultural organizations, local councils, the technology and entrepreneurial sector, civil society, the Port Authority, the environmental protection sector, and the City of Pula.
