Networks and cities' news

Catch up on the latest updates from cities working together in URBACT Networks. The articles and news that are showcased below are published directly by URBACT’s beneficiaries and do not necessarily reflect the programme’s position.

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    Sport Based Solutions Guidance: A New Article In The Library Section

    Among our final products, ourLead Expert provided us and the interested parties with a Sport Based Solutions Guidance to orient us in the world of sport in urban spaces. Over the past two decades, sport has become a central component of contemporary urban policy due to its proven impact on public health, social cohesion, and environmental resilience. International frameworks, including those promoted by global and European institutions, emphasise that active living must be integrated into urban planning, mobility systems, education, and public space design. Sport is no longer seen as a marginal leisure activity, but as a structural tool capable of shaping healthier and more inclusive cities.

    Désirée Zucchi

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  • verona article 1

    Can Urban Sports Hubs Transform Youths Communities and Regenerate Urban Public Spaces?

    Contemporary cities face challenges in providing adequate spaces for youth socialization and recreational healthy activities. The Re-Gen Project tackles these issues by leveraging abandoned public spaces for planning and testing innovative models for urban regeneration. Engaging youngsters, schools, cultural and sport associations in co-creating new Urban Sport Hubs redefines urban participative process, fosters sense of a shared responsibility for common goods and promotes multifunctional spaces. These hubs, centered on street sports, symbolize a progressive shift in policy towards inclusive community development and vibrant urban spaces reconnecting also aesthetics with ethics.

    rlioce

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  • Ph. Luis Villasmil

    Sport Urbanism: A New Paradigm for Urban Regeneration and Sustainable, Beautiful Cities for All

    Sport urbanism is emerging as a powerful concept in the transformation of our cities. This approach advocates for integrating sports into urban design as a green, inclusive solution that enhances the beauty and functionality of public spaces. Sport-based solutions doesn't just make cities more attractive; they also turn public areas into vibrant hubs that promote well-being, public health, and environmental sustainability. By placing sports at the heart of urban regeneration, we can create spaces that are aesthetically pleasing and serve as collective spaces for communities, fostering social connections and improving the quality of life for all residents.

    rlioce

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  • Bringing Life Back to Public Spaces: The Revival of the Park Near Corfu’s Correctional Facilities

    What was once a vandalized, neglected space filled with garbage is now starting to show signs of new life! Thanks to the URBACT Re-Gen initiative, led by Kapodistriaki Development S.A. in collaboration with the Municipality of Central Corfu and the Diapontian Islands, the park near the Correctional Facilities of Corfu is transforming into a welcoming public space.

    Désirée Zucchi

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  • Teenagers and the City: How Youth Shape Public Spaces Through Creativity, Sports, and Social Connection

    Public spaces hold a unique value for teenagers, offering a stage for recreation, cultural expression, and social interaction. Across various studies, these spaces have been shown to play a significant role in the mental, social, and physical development of adolescents. Teenagers often engage with public areas like parks, squares, and even neglected or abandoned spaces in ways that differ from adults, repurposing them as places to express their identity, engage in physical activities, and cultivate peer relationships. This article explores how teenagers use these spaces, how they shape urban aesthetics, and why policymakers need to adopt a more passive approach to observing their behaviors.

    rlioce

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  • An Urban Development Hackathon in Daugavpils!

    An urban development hackathon took place on March 19th and 26th at the Daugavpils Culture Palace, where local citizens had the opportunity to create and present ideas for the development of Jaunās Forštates Park. Municipality invited young people to participate in a park development hackathon to create innovative proposals for its transformation.

    Désirée Zucchi

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