The project is set in the La Chasse neighbourhood in Etterbeek (Brussels, Belgium), a local urban retail hub facing increasing vacancy of ground-floor retail spaces, fragmented ownership of commercial units, and a gradual loss of attractiveness. Despite its central location, high population density and the presence of key facilities, the area is affected by the combined impacts of changing consumption patterns (e-commerce), rising commercial rents and a lack of coordination between public and private stakeholders.

The city of Strasbourg will lead this network and aims to bring on board European cities that aspire to tackle one or more of the following challenges.

Sagunto (Spain) is currently developing an urban regeneration process around the Gerencia–Pantalán industrial waterfront area, linked to its industrial and maritime heritage. The city aims to transform former industrial and waterfront spaces into more sustainable, accessible and liveable urban environments through an integrated approach combining climate adaptation, industrial heritage valorisation, citizen participation and inclusive urban design.

Project Summary

Across European urban and functional areas, mobility systems are becoming more advanced, better integrated and increasingly aligned with climate goals. However, a fundamental gap remains: there is still a disconnect between mobility planning and lived experience, as many people do not use these systems in their daily lives.

Many European cities are facing a growing social and urban challenge: older people are increasingly excluded from historic centres due to barriers in accessibility, mobility and services, while at the same time many heritage buildings remain vacant or underused. In heritage-rich cities, this dynamic contributes to a progressive loss of residential use and everyday urban life, with historic areas increasingly oriented towards tourism and short-term uses rather than supporting inclusive and liveable communities.