Networks and cities' news

Seeding a new approach to local social cohesion across Europe’s cities

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” So said the American philosopher and futurist Buckminster Fuller. He could have been talking about the city of Utrecht and their innovative social transformation project that has turned traditional models of migrant reception on their head.

Utrecht (NL) has shown an approach that can meet the needs of new arrivals from their first day in the local area at the same time as the needs of the local community already in place. In doing so, they have created positive relationships, overcome distrust and fear and provided an example of local social cohesion that can, and should, inspire other cities across Europe.

This is the starting point of Plan Einstein Academy, a two-year Innovation Transfer Network supported by URBACT that is exploring how to transfer Utrecht’s innovative ‘Plan Einstein’ model to five partner cities in different European countries: Coimbra (PT); Suceava (RO); Thessaloniki (EL); Warsaw (PL); and Zagreb (HR).

Seeding a new approach to local social cohesion across Europe’s cities

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” So said the American philosopher and futurist Buckminster Fuller. He could have been talking about the city of Utrecht and their innovative social transformation project that has turned traditional models of migrant reception on their head.

Utrecht (NL) has shown an approach that can meet the needs of new arrivals from their first day in the local area at the same time as the needs of the local community already in place. In doing so, they have created positive relationships, overcome distrust and fear and provided an example of local social cohesion that can, and should, inspire other cities across Europe.

This is the starting point of Plan Einstein Academy, a two-year Innovation Transfer Network supported by URBACT that is exploring how to transfer Utrecht’s innovative ‘Plan Einstein’ model to five partner cities in different European countries: Coimbra (PT); Suceava (RO); Thessaloniki (EL); Warsaw (PL); and Zagreb (HR).

Shaping Urban Regeneration Together in Vila Nova de Poiares

From 13–14 May 2025, Vila Nova de Poiares, Portugal, hosted delegations from eight countries for the 6th Core Network Meeting of the URBACT “GreenPlace. Let’s do it together!” network. Representatives from partner cities, including elected officials, ULG members, and project experts, came together for two days of exchanges, workshops, and site visits, all with a shared focus on green urban regeneration and active community participation.

Schoolhoods’ 5th Quarterly Network Report – getting into detail

“Getting into detail!” – during the fifth quarter of our journey, we dived into the details of emerging pressing topics like how to safeguard political buy-in for our implementations-to-come and focused on getting our actions ready to fly and to deliver.

The S.M.ALL POV: On Communities and Sustainable Mobility

We’re excited to share this article by Dr. Katerina Paschalidou from the Municipality of Komotini, one of our S.M.ALL project partners. With a PhD in Sport Science, a background in law and bioethics, and hands-on experience leading sustainable mobility initiatives, Katerina combines academic insight with real-world action. Her perspective brings fresh energy and depth to our shared URBACT journey towards more inclusive, people-centred cities.

Enjoy her contribution, and thank you Katerina!

Nudging Planning Processes: Soft Planning and Behavioural Shifts for Inclusive and Sustainable Urban Mobility*

In contemporary urban planning, we often take it for granted that improved infrastructure, new bike lanes, bus lines, and digital apps will be enough to shift mobility behaviours. But experience shows that without addressing deeper cultural, emotional, and psychological factors, change is irrelevant and short-lived. Through my experience in URBACT S.M.ALL and several other European and non-European projects, I have learned the transformative power of what I call soft planning: a way of thinking about urban change that prioritises process over product, relationships over regulations,
policies over normative or technical plans, and empowerment over enforcement. 

Within this frame, nudges, those gentle behavioural signals that shape decisions without limiting citizens' choices are among the most powerful planning tools at our disposal.