Networks and cities' news

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.

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.

Quality of Life in Shrinking Cities. Part one - Challenges.

Quality of life is a broad concept that encompasses various dimensions influencing people's well-being in a given place. It goes beyond economic prosperity, including access to public services, environmental quality, cultural life, safety, and social cohesion. However, the meaning of quality of life varies depending on individual preferences, cultural background, and socio-economic context. What may be essential for one person, such as a vibrant nightlife, might not be as relevant to someone else, who might prioritise affordable housing and green spaces. 

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.

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.