Greening urban economies

What are green urban economies and how can cities harvest the opportunities they offer? What are the entry points for cities who want to start their journey towards a greener urban economy? 

URBACT cities have the answers! Watch the recording from the webinar of 13 November 2025 and discover the stories of five URBACT networks actively building greener urban economies in their cities: COPE, EcoCore, GreenPlace, In4Green and Let's Go Circular!

Discover more stories on how to green your urban economy with the presentation from the URBACT session “How to create a greener urban economy? Stories from URBACT cities” that took place at the Smart City Expo World Congress on 5 November 2025.

Building sustainable and inclusive societies requires governance models that actively engage people and empower them to contribute meaningfully to collective decisions. When participation becomes a core part of governance, it strengthens trust, accountability, and shared responsibility. 

Discover how to put in place such governance models in your city with the resources below!

Rapid technological evolution is transforming the way cities function, driving the need for urban spaces that accommodate new kinds of activities - from localised food systems and energy infrastructure to electrified mobility and digitally integrated urban services. At the same time, many conventional industrial roles are losing relevance. As a result, this shift creates a foundation for reimagining and renewing urban areas.

Learn how to green your urban industries with the resources below!

Greening urban economies requires that local authorities rethink traditional development models: prioritising renewable energy solutions, circular resource flows, climate‑adapted urban design, and inclusive community engagement. When planning processes incorporate sustainability criteria and cross‑sector collaboration, they empower municipalities to reduce emissions, enhance biodiversity, and improve quality of life.

Learn how to start building a circular economy in your city with the resources below!

The green transition calls for new skills and competences, ranging from environmental literacy to innovative problem‑solving. These enable individuals, communities, and organisations to respond effectively to climate challenges. By integrating participatory governance with the development of green skills, we create a foundation where citizens not only influence sustainable policies but also possess the competencies to put them into practice.

Discover how cities can support development of green competences with the resources below!