Networks and cities' news

Quartely Network Journal 4

RECUP Reaches a New Milestone: From Project Closure to the URBACT City Festival

After two inspiring years of learning, testing and building connections across Europe, the URBACT RECUP (REinventing Culture in Urban Places) Innovation Transfer Network has officially come to an end. Yet for the six partner cities, this is far from the end of the story. The journey continues through new investments, local initiatives, partnerships and long-term plans that will keep the RECUP legacy alive in the years ahead. 

Lessons Learned from RECUP: How Culture Can Help Cities Rebuild Connection, Belonging and Participation

Over the last two years, the URBACT Innovation Transfer Network REinventing Culture in Urban Places (RECUP) explored how culture and creativity can help cities respond to challenges such as loneliness, social isolation, fragmented communities and declining participation. Building on Újbuda’s CUP4Creativity Good Practice, six European partners tested new approaches, developed local solutions and translated their learning into Integrated Investment Plans for future implementation.

PODCAST: Mantova (Italy): "It's about having time for yourself"

The latest episode of the Residents of the Future podcast takes listeners to Mantova, Italy, a UNESCO World Heritage city and partner in the URBACT Residents of the Future network.

Hosted by Tiago Ferreira, the episode features Caterina Salvo from the Municipality of Mantova and Iulia Puscasu, member of the URBACT Local Group (ULG) and co-founder of Bug Magazine. Together, they discuss how a city renowned for its Renaissance heritage is responding to population decline by building on its cultural identity, quality of life and community connections.

PODCAST Mangualde (PORTUGAL): "It's about people - local and newcomers."

In this week’s episode of Residents of the Future, we’re heading to Mangualde — a vibrant small city in Portugal that’s proving how community strength and smart newcomer-integration policies can shape a sustainable future.

PODCAST Saint-Quentin (FRANCE): "It's about the quality of life."

In the latest episode of the Residence of the Future podcast, Saint-Quentin in northern France emerges as a clear example of how a medium-sized industrial city can respond to long-term depopulation while maintaining – and even improving – quality of life. Through the voices of Barbara Domont, member of the URBACT Local Group, and Nicolas Gibbe from the city administration, the episode traces a trajectory from industrial decline to cautious but concrete renewal.