Digital Transformation and Smart City Innovations
The day began with an insightful presentation on Alba Iulia’s digitalization journey, led by Liviu Stanciu. With over a decade of investment in smart city solutions, Alba Iulia has pioneered various digital transformation processes, enhancing public services and urban life. Now, the city is preparing for the next phase—integrating AI-driven solutions to further improve the quality of life for its residents. The presentation showcased how technology can be leveraged to make cities more efficient, connected, and responsive to citizens’ needs.
City Branding and the "Find Your Greatness" Project
Next, we delved into the "Find Your Greatness" project, an inspiring initiative focused on city branding and marketing. Tudor Drâmbărean led a compelling discussion on how cities can strategically shape their identities to attract visitors and create a brand that resonates with both locals and tourists. From storytelling strategies to successful real-world examples, the session offered valuable insights into the power of place branding and how it can drive economic and cultural growth.
Youth Engagement: "Capital of the Youth 2026"
The final session of the day brought another remarkable project into the spotlight—"Capital of the Youth 2026." Sebastian Băeșan shared how this ambitious initiative aims to empower young people and shape Alba Iulia into a more dynamic, inclusive, and innovative city. The presentation outlined exciting plans to foster creativity, build new opportunities, and create a vibrant hub for youth engagement. It was a powerful reminder of how young people’s energy and vision can drive meaningful change in urban development.
Reflecting on the Day’s Learnings and Looking Ahead to Iisalmi, Finland
Throughout the day, Tiago Ferreira, Lead Expert of the Residents of the Future network, facilitated discussions, encouraging network members to reflect on the case studies and exchange ideas on how these initiatives could inspire their own cities.
With that, the Transnational Meeting in Alba Iulia came to a close. The conversations, insights, and shared experiences over the past two days have been invaluable. The next stop? Iisalmi, Finland! See you there!
