This quarter the network has been working on the following challenges:
New models of supply (t4)
Examining the revitalisation and diversification of commercial offerings all while strengthening local and proximity consumption circuits.
Building a city centre identity (t5)
More than just a brand or a catchphrase, city centre identity should capture the essence of a place in an authentic way and provide a rallying cry for all citizens and stakeholders to work together towards achieving a common objective. The focus will be on the various roles of the urban centres, whether as a meeting place, service hub, or space for differentiated experiences, and how this is balanced with the primary role of the centre as a living environment.
Activities and developments in URBACT Local Groups
The report provides an overview of activities and developments within the URBACT Local Groups (referred to as ULGs from now on) across the network. These groups have provided an opportunity to observe different approaches and collaborative efforts undertaken by local stakeholders to address the challenges facing their respective city centres.
This section illustrates the diversity of visions that local stakeholders have to develop an integrated action plan: from the different approaches to improving public space as shown in the vision of Cesena, FLeurus, Krakow, Lamia or Osijek, or the economic revitalisation planned by partners such as Celje, Sligo or Granada, to the new governance models visualised by the Greater Paris Metropolis or Quadrilatero Urbano.
Transnational Meeting in Quadrilátero Urbano, Portugal
The four cities that make up Quadrilátero, Barcelos, Braga, Guimarães and Vila Nova de Famalicão, hosted the third transnational meeting which launched the planning phase. A detailed account of the different activities that took place in Quadrilátero is presented in the next section, capturing the discussions, exchanges and key takeaways from this important meeting.
Over the course of the different visits, several local experts presented successful and ongoing projects implemented in the each city, many of which could be of interest to other partners in the network, from the Famalicão Data Portal B-SMART to the Braga application for the European Capital of Culture.
In addition, this section presents the results of the workshops held during the transnational meeting in which the each partner improved their capacity to develop an integrated action plan: laying the groundwork for the conceptual phase, learning how to address transversality or proposing different small-scale actions within their local context.
Our quarterly learnings
Drawing from insights gleaned while participating in the activities carried out over this quarter, this section summarises the best practices and the shared knowledge presented and serves as a source of inspiration and guidance for future projects within the network, showcasing innovations spearheaded by the meeting’s host city, therefore underlining the value of shared learning and cross-pollination of ideas.
For example, in the transnational meeting, the Braga European Capital of Culture bid is presented as an important milestone in the Braga Cultura 2030 strategy which aims to place cultural activities at the heart of Braga's identity, balancing culture, economic development, social inclusion and environmental considerations to develop a multifaceted and vibrant future for the city.
Furthermore, many important initiatives are taking place throughout the different Quadrilátero member cities. The House of Creativity in Barcelos addresses issues such as the renovation of heritage buildings or the enhancement of cultural and economic values. The Famalicão Data Portal tackles the relationship between the public administration and citizens through open data, or the management of a high value heritage site, and the urban regeneration for the development of a vibrant city centre in Guimarães.
Expanding the transnational meeting knowledge, we have organised our first webinar to discuss Cities@Heart After Dark. Simone d’Antonio, our ad-hoc expert and Lead Expert for the Cities After Dark network provided the partners with examples on how to bolster and manage the night economy in their respective city centres.
Future steps and initiatives
Concluding the report, forthcoming steps and initiatives envisioned within the Cities@Heart network are outlined, delineating the roadmap for future endeavours. This section emphasises the collective commitment towards realising a shared vision of vibrant, inclusive and resilient city centres.
Next October, Cesena will be hosting the fourth Transnational Meeting where partners will dive into the planning phase, strengthen practical knowledge and skills in the defined policy areas, draw lessons from the exchanges on an ongoing basis, and focus on applying them at the local level. The themes highlighed during this meeting will be addressing public space and mixed used issues in the city centre, with a specific focus on how to balance economic development and social inclusion in the public spaces. In addition, the Midterm reflection process be one of the main outcomes of this meeting.
Overall, the second Quarterly Report provides a comprehensive overview of progress, insights, and future directions within the Cities@Heart network, showcasing the collaborative efforts and commitment to creating thriving urban centres.
The second Quarterly report is available for download in the Cities@Heart library or accessible online with the interactive PDF Reader Calameo.
Save the date!
In addition to the TNMs, the network will be organising two capacity building workshops:
September 2024
Last-mile logistics
Date to be determined
November 2024
The Youth & the Elderly in CIty Centres
Date to be determined
