Networks and cities' news

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.

PODCAST: Šibenik (Croatia): “It's about the captivating power of a Mediterranean-style work-life balance”

The last episode of the Residents of the Future podcast presents the City of Šibenik, Croatia, as the lead partner of the URBACT Residents of the Future network.

Hosted by Tiago Ferreira, Lead Expert of the network, the episode features Nikolina Gracin and Ines Kulušić from the City of Šibenik’s Department for Economy. Over almost three years, they coordinated the project and led a partnership of nine European cities addressing population decline and urban shrinkage.

PODCAST: Trebinje (Bosnia & Herzegovina): "It's about building digital infrastructure for future generations"

In the latest episode of the Residents of the Future podcast, URBACT Lead Expert Tiago Ferreira speaks with Tamara Dursun from the city administration and Slobodan Vulešević, URBACT Local Group (ULG) coordinator. Their conversation reflects both the structural causes of shrinkage and the practical steps Trebinje is taking to respond.

PODCAST: Iisalmi (Finland): "It's about building your city's brand on its strengths."

In this episode of the URBACT podcast Residents of the Future, lead expert Tiago Ferreira speaks with Terho Savolainen, Economic Development Director, and Mari Kuronen, Marketing Assistant from the City of Iisalmi, Finland. Together, they explore how a small city in the north is rethinking how it presents itself to the world in response to demographic change.