Networks and cities' news

Biodivercity IAP interview #2 Guimarães

Stakeholder engagement for humanizing metaverse: some useful lessons from METACITY

Technologic development rarely makes headlines, as it usually advances outside the everyday current affairs of our societies. Nevertheless, the emergence of immersive technologies is sparking unprecedented debate, as digital technologies are reshaping how cities are planned and promoted, but also how people take part in new forms of participatory governance.

Dialogue and collaboration with residents are becoming crucial aspects of every digital transformation process, as experienced by the partners of METACITY which are finalizing the process of integrated action planning. For many of them this was the first opportunity to bring the potential of metaverse technologies for urban innovation under the spotlight as a crucial topic of the local political agenda.

Bringing together municipalities, universities, research centres, and local communities from across Europe, the network has fostered the co-creation of Integrated Action Plans that embed digital innovation within inclusive and participatory governance models. The partners of METACITY are experiencing innovative ways to strengthen stakeholder engagement on topics like artificial intelligence and virtual reality offering useful lessons also for other cities that are including the use of immersive technologies into their local strategies.

Mob.Feira: a pilot action driving digital mobility transformation in Santa Maria da Feira

The Mob.Feira project stands as the pilot action of Santa Maria da Feira’s IAP, now entering its real implementation phase in the parish of Milheirós de Poiares. Developed through continuous dialogue with the URBACT Local Group, the digital platform aims to centralise all mobility information in one accessible, user-friendly space — connecting citizens with public transport, cycling routes, and micromobility options.
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URBACT Pioneers continue their journey with the “Don’t Stop Me Now!” vibe!

URBACT Pioneers gathered in Ljubljana for their first in -person milestone event on 17–18 September 2025, marking the transition from the DISCOVER to the DEFINE phase of the programme. Over two energising days, representatives from 27 cities (from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia) explored new tools, shared insights, and reconnected with the motivation driving their urban transformation. 

URBACT Pioneers Explored Ljubljana’s Outdoors

In mid-September, city representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia gathered in Ljubljana for a two-day capacity building event as part of the URBACT Pioneers Accelerator programme. Part of the programme was composed of guided study visits, designed to immerse participants in the city’s participatory urban practices. The visits were led by Prostorož – A non- profit urban design studio and IPoP – Institute for Spatial Policies and focused on exploring Ljubljana’s public spaces and learning how communities and local authorities collaborate to transform them.

Biodivercity IAP interview #1 Sarajevo