Networks and cities' news

Bringing Life Back to Public Spaces: The Revival of the Park Near Corfu’s Correctional Facilities

What was once a vandalized, neglected space filled with garbage is now starting to show signs of new life! Thanks to the URBACT Re-Gen initiative, led by Kapodistriaki Development S.A. in collaboration with the Municipality of Central Corfu and the Diapontian Islands, the park near the Correctional Facilities of Corfu is transforming into a welcoming public space.

Teenagers and the City: How Youth Shape Public Spaces Through Creativity, Sports, and Social Connection

Public spaces hold a unique value for teenagers, offering a stage for recreation, cultural expression, and social interaction. Across various studies, these spaces have been shown to play a significant role in the mental, social, and physical development of adolescents. Teenagers often engage with public areas like parks, squares, and even neglected or abandoned spaces in ways that differ from adults, repurposing them as places to express their identity, engage in physical activities, and cultivate peer relationships. This article explores how teenagers use these spaces, how they shape urban aesthetics, and why policymakers need to adopt a more passive approach to observing their behaviors.

An Urban Development Hackathon in Daugavpils!

An urban development hackathon took place on March 19th and 26th at the Daugavpils Culture Palace, where local citizens had the opportunity to create and present ideas for the development of Jaunās Forštates Park. Municipality invited young people to participate in a park development hackathon to create innovative proposals for its transformation.

Street Sport and Tourism: A Path to Urban Regeneration and Youth-Centered Travel

Street sports such as skateboarding, 3x3 basketball, breakdancing, and rollerblading are increasingly becoming a driving force for urban regeneration. These activities are transforming underutilized urban spaces into vibrant social and cultural hubs, fostering local community engagement and attracting a new kind of tourism. This fusion of street sport and tourism is creating unexpected tourist flows to lesser-known cities and "unusual places," places that would not typically be considered tourist hotspots.

Sportsgrounds of the Future: How Cities Are Rethinking Public Space for Adolescents' Wellbeing

Urban spaces often reveal the character of a city. They are places of movement, stillness, interaction, and solitude. For adolescents, however, public spaces are much more than physical environments—they are stages for self-expression, arenas for competition, and places for belonging. Yet, in many cities, these vital spaces remain underused or inaccessible to youth, either by design or neglect.

Adolescence is a transformative stage of life, marked by the search for identity, independence, and social belonging. Cities play a critical role in shaping these experiences; however, too often, urban environments fail to cater to the specific needs of young people. Thoughtfully designed public spaces can become vital arenas where adolescents gather, express themselves, and connect with their communities. However, these spaces must be more than functional; they must resonate with the energy and aspirations of youth.

The Re-Gen network of cities—spanning from Southern Europe to the Baltic—has embraced this challenge. Each city has embarked on a distinctive journey to test how sports and recreational activities can rejuvenate public spaces and empower adolescents. These cities are experimenting with bold solutions to make public spaces more inviting for their youngest residents, involving them in the process. The key? Sports and recreation, woven seamlessly into the urban fabric.

Unlocking Public Spaces for Youth Engagement: A Holistic Approach to Health and Nutrition

Public spaces are more than recreational areas; they hold the potential to become dynamic hubs for promoting physical activity, healthy eating, and social interaction among young people aged 10-18. Yet, in many cities, these vital spaces remain underused or inaccessible to youth, either by design or neglect. The Re-GEN URBACT Action planning network has taken up the challenge to redesign public spaces in such a way that they become vital arenas where the youngsters can gather, express themselves and connect with their communities.

In the context of increasing health concerns[1], innovative strategies that merge outdoor activities and nutrition education can foster lifelong healthy habits. Drawing on successful examples from across Europe and also outside of Europe, this article explores how local governments and communities can effectively transform public spaces into vibrant centers for youth engagement.