Networks and cities' news

Highlights from PUMA second quarter in 2025 (April - June)

Breathing New Life into Bucharest’s Oldest Tram Depot

Located in central Bucharest, just behind the Government headquarters, Victoria Depot stands as a significant, yet underutilized, landmark of industrial heritage — the oldest tram depot in the city, and a site with considerable potential for urban regeneration. Characterized by its iron framework, spacious halls, and embedded urban history, the depot had gradually receded from public attention — until the GreenPlace network brought it back into focus through a structured participatory initiative.

Future STEAM Cities Transferability Study

The Future STEAM Cities Transferability Study explores the potential for adapting Aveiro’s STEAM City model across four European cities—Alytus (Lithuania), Kolding (Denmark), Oulu (Finland), and Płock (Poland). Conducted within the URBACT Innovation Transfer Network framework, the study identifies the key conditions, challenges, and opportunities that shape the successful implementation of STEAM-based urban innovation.

Looking Ahead: Turning Data into Connection

Sandyford Business District moves toward testing actions in the next phase of their project!

Transforming Urban Landscapes: Circular Economy Practices in European Cities

The transition to a circular economy (CE) is a cornerstone of sustainable urban development, directly addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. LET'S GO CIRCULAR! Lead Expert Eleni Feleki wrote a comprehensive article about the findings from almost two years of exploring how to pave the way for CE in European cities. 

From paper to people: How your IAP can inspire the citizens it’s made for

What Cities Can Learn from the URBACT IAP Review – Part Two

In Part One, we reflected on how URBACT Integrated Action Plans (IAPs) are not just a bureaucratic deliverable, but a reflection of each city's capacity to think, collaborate, and act strategically. In Part Two, we focus on a crucial question: Can these plans truly inspire people?
Can they move beyond PDF files and meeting rooms to become living visions that resonate with communities, guide decisions, and actually lead to change?

According to José Costero, the Ad Hoc Expert who reviewed all nine plans within the Residents of the Future network:

“The real challenge now is to ensure that each plan becomes more than a static product—it must be a shared narrative people recognise and believe in.”