Networks and cities' news

Quality of Life in shrinking cities, part two - Measuring and Monitoring

This article is based on the workshop “Quality of Life: what is it and how to promote and measure it” delivered by URBACT Expert José Costero for the URBACT network Residents of the Future in Alba Iulia (Romania) on 25 March 2025. The session gathered about 25 participants from the nine cities involved in the network, fostering discussions on how to integrate quality of life principles into urban planning and policymaking.

Guimarães Spring Festival 2025 fills the Penha Mountain with nature, joy and over 2,000 visitors

After being postponed for a week due to rain, the Guimarães Spring Festival 2025 took place on the 29th and 30th of March on the Penha Mountain, a vital ecological asset in Guimarães, featuring 10 conservation-worthy habitats and hosting over 320 vascular plant species and 120 terrestrial vertebrate species. As part of the city's biocultural corridor, the Penha Mountain connects natural and urban areas via the Biodiversity Route, enhancing ecological connectivity and supporting both wildlife and community well-being.

The 4th Central Meeting of the European Partners of the Re-Gen Cities Network in Corfu on April 1st and 2nd, 2025.

The 4th Central Meeting of the European Partners of the Re-Gen Cities Network, within the framework of the European Program URBACT IV 2021–2027, was successfully completed in Corfu on April 1st and 2nd, 2025. The meeting was organized by Kapodistriaki Development S.A. – Local Government Development Organization, as a European Partner of the Program. 

Cieza celebrates its first BiodiverCity Festival: A week of nature, creativity and community

From 17 to 24 March 2025, Cieza celebrated the first edition of the BiodiverCity Festival, a vibrant and participatory event organized by the Department of the Environment, in collaboration with Aguas de Cieza, within the framework of the URBACT BiodiverCity project. The festival brought together more than 250 people through a wide range of inclusive, intergenerational activities designed to strengthen the connection between citizens and urban nature.

The power of mapping: co-creation for everyone involved in Integrated Urban Development

Given the complexity of urban-rural territories, it is sometimes difficult to plan actions with a shared vision. By visualising challenges, potentials and possible scenarios, a simple but powerful tool such as mapping becomes essential for policy makers and urban planners.

Empowering Cities Towards Circular Economy - Highlights from the URBACT In4Green Circular Economy Workshop in Larissa

On 11 March, 2024, the city of Larissa hosted an action packed session of the URBACT In4Green transnational meeting, bringing together urban practitioners, policymakers and city stakeholders to discuss the co-development of actions relating to the circular economy and sustainable urban development. 

Facilitated by URBACT Expert Eileen Crowley, the workshop focused on monitoring and evaluation strategies, funding solutions, and inspiring best practices to accelerate the transition towards circularity.