Networks and cities' news

Why do we need policies to make participation work? Check out what Pori’s Participation Agent does!

Across Europe we are witnessing the rise of participative policies - policies aiming to have more insights, resulting in more efficient public policies. Not only because participation of citizens in public life and their right to influence the decisions are at the centre of democracy. Also because open and inclusive policy-making increases public participation, enhances transparency and accountability, builds civic capacity and leads to increased buy-in and better decision-making. Check out the case of Pori!

How participatory placemaking can help URBACT Local Groups to develop urban actions for public spaces in our cities

More and more citizens, practitioners, politicians and city officials realise the importance of public spaces in our cities. These spaces are often described as the arteries and lungs of our cities. If these spaces are well used by a diverse population,it is evidence of the vibrancy of the city. How can we inspire the best use and improvement of public spaces in our cities? What roles can citizens play and are we dependent on ?good design? for quality spaces? During the recent transnational meeting of theCome In! Transfer Network held in Budapest in May 2019, partner cities participated in a masterclass on participatory placemaking, with a view to gain insight into the placemaking approach to activate and animate spaces in their cities. This article reflectson the inputs and discussions.

The URBACT Learning Journey in Siracusa

Since 2013, the wonderful Sicilian (once Greek and then Roman) city of Siracusa (IT) has been a member of different URBACT networks all aimed at strengthening participation and collaboration practices. City shares its experience.

Soooo What is Tech? Learn the lingo for the Revolution

A Glossary of Terms by TechRevolution. Find definitions of all the Tech terms you are wondering about: Fab Lab, Makerspace, Traction stage, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Tech, Robotics, Design Thinking...

Entrepreneurship Ecosystems cannot be created from the top down

By Alison Partridge 

Ecosystems … some love the word, some hate it. Its original definition is about a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. More high school science lab than tech surely?

Yet more than ever before, industries are using the term ‘ecosystem’ to describe the landscape or community in which they work. This is particularly the case in innovation, entrepreneurship and tech. In this article, Lead Expert of Tech Revolution Alison Partridge, who is also a key figure in the London, UK tech scene, considers why ecosystems are important, the vital components of successful ecosystem and what we need to know about them to embrace this ‘new’ economy at city level.

This article also presents examples of what medium sized cities can do in this space, drawing heavily on the URBACT validated good practice from Barnsley which is now at the heart of the Transfer Network ‘TechRevolution’.

Start placemaking in your own courtyard!

The managing team invited Wessel Badenhorst, an expert on placemaking to participate the Come in! Masterclass event in Budapest and help partners understanding how placemaking techniques can contribute to the success of theirgood practice transfer. He gave to the participants a lecture and had a workshop with locals at the target area of Újbuda. Report from Ferenc Szigeti-Böröcz, network expert.