Networks and cities' news

Spend Analysis as a tool for better use of resources in times of crisis.

At the start of 2020, the finances of many Polish local councils were in a difficult condition due to the need to incur large investment expenditures, because of an underestimation of the costs of the delivery of public services commissioned, such as education, or losses in the revenues of municipalities resulting from central government tax reforms. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated these problems because the method adopted to combat the virus, which consists in the economic lockdown, led to a serious recession.

The times of crisis force us to look more closely at our spend and internal resources, and to seek ways of increasing their benefits to the economy and society. One such tool is the public spend analysis according to the methodology of the City of Preston, implemented after the global financial crisis. An effective implementation of this good practice requires cooperation between all the parties involved in the process, both procurers and entrepreneurs.

Spend Analysis and Procurement Behaviours

The first meeting of Phase 2 of the Making Spend Matter Transfer Network took place in early February 2019. At the meeting, Preston City Council started the process of transferring the Spend Analysis methodology which they have been working with for the last six years to six other cities across Europe.

Tools to activate residents to trans form their private gardens in to biodiversity oases - Biodivercity case study 5.

Hegyvidék, Budapest's greenest district, is turning private gardens into biodiversity oases to tackle climate change and promote eco-friendly living. The Green Office is leading this effort with initiatives like free composting boxes, native tree planting, and bird-friendly programs, encouraging residents to adopt sustainable practices. The study was written by Ferenc Albert Szigeti, coordinator of the Hungarian Hub for Nature-based Solutions, lead expert of the BiodiverCity network.

If you are interested, you can find the whole study HERE!

Innovative tools and methods to foster sustainable and biodiverse maintenance of public green areas

Increasing the size and improving the quality of urban green spaces is an utmost priority of all European cities in the shadow of the ecological crisis. This is also required by the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the related Nature Restoration Law.

Diving into planning—the second Cities@Heart Quarterly Report

The second quarterly report of the Cities@Heart network covers significant progress and initiatives in revitalising city centres, focusing on a wide range of topics such as heritage, culture or technology. The report highlights the ongoing efforts and insights gained from collaborations aimed at fostering vibrant and sustainable city centres. Taking a pragmatic approach, the report presents practical strageties city stakeholders can impliment to improve the vitality of urban centres

How can temporary use contribute to the process of transformation

Temporary use has emerged as a significant strategy across Europe to address the challenges of vacancy and urban transformation. Projects such as the URBACT networks and Horizon 2020's T-Factor have highlighted the potential of temporary use to creatively repurpose empty spaces, supporting local economies and fostering social cohesion. By utilizing vacant buildings and brownfields for short-term initiatives, temporary use not only revitalizes areas but also provides a testing ground for long-term sustainable solutions.