Networks and cities' news

Would a strategic approach towards Local Economic Development make small cities more resilient?

Small cities are often at a higher risk for the negative impacts of global trends that lead to economic downturns. At the same time, they are the places where a significant percentage of the population of the European Union live and work. So how can we address development problems and opportunities at the local level through contextualization of global consequences and locally available resources? How can we develop resilient local governments in an age when the world is faced with a global pandemic and some cities are facing economic crisis? According to the principles of Local Economic Development (LED), local development should be approached strategically and inclusively, and challenging decisions should be guided by sustainability goals. 

This article is a follow-up to a Masterclass in Local economic development organised by the iPlace Project, a network of 10 small cities who examine opportunities for new local development and aim to find niches which will create potential for future economic growth.

Would a strategic approach towards Local Economic Development make small cities more resilient?

Small cities are often at a higher risk for the negative impacts of global trends that lead to economic downturns. At the same time, they are the places where a significant percentage of the population of the European Union live and work. So how can we address development problems and opportunities at the local level through contextualization of global consequences and locally available resources? How can we develop resilient local governments in an age when the world is faced with a global pandemic and some cities are facing economic crisis? According to the principles of Local Economic Development (LED), local development should be approached strategically and inclusively, and challenging decisions should be guided by sustainability goals. 

This article is a follow-up to a Masterclass in Local economic development organised by the iPlace Project, a network of 10 small cities who examine opportunities for new local development and aim to find niches which will create potential for future economic growth.

How Did Biodiversity Become a Core Organising Principle of Urban Development in Guimarães, Europe’s Green Capital 2026?

Urban biodiversity is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of sustainable city development. As cities continue to expand, the preservation and integration of biodiversity within urban landscapes become increasingly important, both for ecological balance and the well-being of residents. Guimarães, a city in northern Portugal, has emerged as a model for biodiversity-driven urban planning, integrating nature-based solutions into its governance framework.

Beyond car dependency & brain drain: How Ormož is striving for a more sustainable future

From February 3rd to 6th, 2025, urban practitioners and stakeholders from the URBACT EcoCore network gathered in Ormož, Slovenia for a transnational partner visit. The meeting provided an opportunity to explore innovative solutions in investment attraction, sustainable mobility, business zone development and industrial transformation. These topics resonate with cities across Europe facing economic transitions, talent retention challenges, and sustainability goals. In this article we share some of the key takeaways on these topics from our meeting in Ormoz. 

From Transnational Inspiration to Local Exploration: The Importance of Local Study Visits and Stakeholder Involvement

Hearing examples from other cities and seeking inspiration from different contexts has always been a cornerstone of URBACT networks. Transnational exchange and examples can provide excellent inspiration for local actions. URBACT provides the framework and motivation for sharing international case examples, however seeking local examples of practice is something that can often be overlooked in the day-to-day of local municipal activities. It offers value though, and is something that is well worth the effort.

Inspired by things they had seen and heard from other partner cities in the Digi-Inclusion network, the project team in the Lead Partner City of Mollet del Vallès decided to undertake a series of study visits to other municipalities in their region, during the autumn of 2024. The stories they heard from projects partners in Bolgna (IT) and Boulogne-Sur-Mer (FR) during transnational exchange provided the basis for some new thinking, and the Mollet team were keen to explore this further locally with their ULG. 

Having developed an idea for introducing some form of “digital facilitators” into the city as part of their URBACT Integrated Action Plan, they sought out local examples of cities who had this type of approach. Through EU awards and recognition schemes, they identified three regional examples, in the municipalities of Hospitalet de Llobregat, Sant Cugat, and Granollers, all in the Barcelona province.

Making every step count: Last-Mile Logistics for City Centres

According to Laetitita Dablanc, Director of the Gustave Eiffel University Logistics City Chair, “city logistics represents more than the mere transportation of goods within urban areas. It can be defined as any service provision contributing to efficiently managing the movements of goods in cities and providing innovative responses to customer demands (City Logistics).