Networks and cities' news

Sportsgrounds of the Future: How Cities Are Rethinking Public Space for Adolescents' Wellbeing

Urban spaces often reveal the character of a city. They are places of movement, stillness, interaction, and solitude. For adolescents, however, public spaces are much more than physical environments—they are stages for self-expression, arenas for competition, and places for belonging. Yet, in many cities, these vital spaces remain underused or inaccessible to youth, either by design or neglect.

Adolescence is a transformative stage of life, marked by the search for identity, independence, and social belonging. Cities play a critical role in shaping these experiences; however, too often, urban environments fail to cater to the specific needs of young people. Thoughtfully designed public spaces can become vital arenas where adolescents gather, express themselves, and connect with their communities. However, these spaces must be more than functional; they must resonate with the energy and aspirations of youth.

The Re-Gen network of cities—spanning from Southern Europe to the Baltic—has embraced this challenge. Each city has embarked on a distinctive journey to test how sports and recreational activities can rejuvenate public spaces and empower adolescents. These cities are experimenting with bold solutions to make public spaces more inviting for their youngest residents, involving them in the process. The key? Sports and recreation, woven seamlessly into the urban fabric.

Unlocking Public Spaces for Youth Engagement: A Holistic Approach to Health and Nutrition

Public spaces are more than recreational areas; they hold the potential to become dynamic hubs for promoting physical activity, healthy eating, and social interaction among young people aged 10-18. Yet, in many cities, these vital spaces remain underused or inaccessible to youth, either by design or neglect. The Re-GEN URBACT Action planning network has taken up the challenge to redesign public spaces in such a way that they become vital arenas where the youngsters can gather, express themselves and connect with their communities.

In the context of increasing health concerns[1], innovative strategies that merge outdoor activities and nutrition education can foster lifelong healthy habits. Drawing on successful examples from across Europe and also outside of Europe, this article explores how local governments and communities can effectively transform public spaces into vibrant centers for youth engagement.
 

Albacete Successfully Hosted The Re-Gen Civic Hackathon 2025

On Saturday, 5 April 2025, the Re-Gen Civic Hackathon was held at the Albacete Youth Centre (Spain). The event was part of the European Re-Gen initiative, organised by CEEI Albacete in collaboration with Emilia Parra from Vértice Cultural, Laura Gómez Serrano, youth officer at the Albacete Youth Centre, and Carmen Gómez, also from the Youth Centre. The aim was to involve young people aged between 16 and 22 in the creation of innovative projects to regenerate underused urban spaces through social and sporting activities designed for teenagers aged between 10 and 18.

The 4th Central Meeting of the European Partners of the Re-Gen Cities Network in Corfu on April 1st and 2nd, 2025.

The 4th Central Meeting of the European Partners of the Re-Gen Cities Network, within the framework of the European Program URBACT IV 2021–2027, was successfully completed in Corfu on April 1st and 2nd, 2025. The meeting was organized by Kapodistriaki Development S.A. – Local Government Development Organization, as a European Partner of the Program. 

Hackathon Held as Part of the Re-Gen Project: Young People from Pula Shaped Ideas for Urban Space Regeneration in the Busoler Area

On Friday, April 25, 2025, a Hackathon was held at the newly opened Youth Center in Pula – an intensive one-day workshop organized as part of the European Re-Gen project. The event brought together around thirty students from Pula, divided into six teams, with the aim of creating innovative solutions for the regeneration of urban spaces, with a special focus on the Busoler zone. The goal of the Hackathon was to actively involve young people in the spatial planning process through fieldwork, needs research, and the development of conceptual solutions based on the principles of social inclusion, healthy lifestyles, and sustainable urban development. The outcomes of the workshop will serve as a basis for further elaboration of project tasks within the Integrative Action Plan (IAP) and potentially as a contribution to the development of future urban sports centers.

“Small Sports for Big Achievements” – A Children's Sports Day in Pula

On Monday, May 12, 2025, Marsovo Polje in Pula was transformed into a large sports playground, bringing together more than 220 students from 5th to 8th grade for the full-day event “Small Sports for Big Achievements,”. The event was designed to encourage children to explore their sports skills through play, competition, and teamwork in a safe, inclusive, and motivating environment. Its goal was to promote healthy lifestyles, teamwork, and the active use of public spaces through sports and play – in line with the core values of the Re-Gen project.