Networks and cities' news

Are we ready to welcome the residents of the future?

By Tiago Ferreira

How can smaller cities compete in an era of global people’s mobility? What makes a place not only livable but appealing enough for someone to choose it again, or for the first time as home?

These are the kinds of questions that Residents of the Future set out to explore. Now, passing midway through our journey, we find ourselves surrounded not by answers, but by possibilities, each one shaped by the local character and aspirations of the nine cities that form this network.

Looking Ahead: Turning Data into Connection

Sandyford Business District moves toward testing actions in the next phase of their project!

Together against loneliness in Amersfoort

Third URBACT meeting in Amersfoort brings ideas into motion

The third meeting of the URBACT Local Group (ULG) took place on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Het Klokhuis in Amersfoort. The afternoon focused entirely on the theme " Together Against Loneliness ," with ample opportunity for reflection, connection, and action.

Transforming Urban Landscapes: Circular Economy Practices in European Cities

The transition to a circular economy (CE) is a cornerstone of sustainable urban development, directly addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. LET'S GO CIRCULAR! Lead Expert Eleni Feleki wrote a comprehensive article about the findings from almost two years of exploring how to pave the way for CE in European cities. 

From paper to people: How your IAP can inspire the citizens it’s made for

What Cities Can Learn from the URBACT IAP Review – Part Two

In Part One, we reflected on how URBACT Integrated Action Plans (IAPs) are not just a bureaucratic deliverable, but a reflection of each city's capacity to think, collaborate, and act strategically. In Part Two, we focus on a crucial question: Can these plans truly inspire people?
Can they move beyond PDF files and meeting rooms to become living visions that resonate with communities, guide decisions, and actually lead to change?

According to José Costero, the Ad Hoc Expert who reviewed all nine plans within the Residents of the Future network:

“The real challenge now is to ensure that each plan becomes more than a static product—it must be a shared narrative people recognise and believe in.”

The Art of rural streets rebellion

Rural communities are reclaiming their unique strengths -like trust, proximity, and creativity- to shape mobility and public spaces that are truly rooted in local culture. Instead of importing urban solutions, they’re innovating from within, using simple yet powerful ideas such as ride‑sharing benches and citizen‑run buses.