Networks and cities' news

Guimarães Hosts Final Dissemination Event of the BiodiverCity

Guimarães has successfully delivered the Final Dissemination Event of its Integrated Action Plan (IAP) within the European URBACT BiodiverCity project. Held at the Landscape Laboratory, the event marked the conclusion of the city’s co-creation process, developed in close collaboration with the URBACT Local Group and grounded in the shared vision highlighted in recent project activities.

BiodiverCity Project hosts final IAP conference in Veszprém, Showcasing nature-based urban development

Veszprém hosted the final Integrated Action Plan (IAP) conference of the URBACT IV BiodiverCity project on 18 November 2025, bringing together around fifty participants from local government, academia, civil society and professional organisations. The event provided a comprehensive overview of the city’s ongoing transition from traditional urban planning towards an ecological, nature-based approach to development, reflecting the core mission of BiodiverCity.

The conference was opened by Áron Kovács, municipal councillor and Sustainability Commissioner, followed by a welcome address from Dr Endre Domokos of the University of Pannonia. In the keynote lecture, behavioural ecologist Prof. András Liker presented the latest insights from urban biodiversity research and highlighted the role of ecological evidence in maintaining resilient green spaces

A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the newly published booklet “Welcome to the Biodiversity Office”, our Network Result Product, accompanied by strong representation from the lead partner and several members of the URBACT Local Group.

A Rain Garden for Veszprém – BiodiverCity’s Latest Test Action Completed

Co-created with the Local Group

The test action was carried out with the active involvement of the URBACT Local Group (ULG). Members contributed through joint planning, site visits and hands-on support. The activity will conclude with a community planting event, giving residents the opportunity to help establish the rain garden’s vegetation themselves. This not only enhances long-term sustainability but also deepens local engagement.

Visibility and Local Interest 

The initiative has attracted considerable attention in the city. A film crew from Veszprém TV visited the site and produced a report on the creation and purpose of the rain garden. This media coverage helps raise awareness of how BiodiverCity promotes nature-based solutions and strengthens urban resilience in practice.

Biodivercity IAP interview #3 s-Hertogenbosch

An Urban Biodiversity Guidebook for cities to transform their relationship with nature

The BiodiverCity URBACT Action Planning Network (community-based approaches to foster urban biodiversity and nature-based solutions) has published its Network Result Product. From sustainable urban tree management and wildflower meadows through nature-inclusive buildings and constructed wetlands to bird-friendly policies and community engagement, this guidebook highlights those thematic fields where cities can enhance urban biodiversity, enabling them to put biodiversity as a core organising principle of urban planning.

Biodivercity IAP interview #2 Guimarães