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Check URBACT's latest stories, updates and events!

 

  • Alba Iulia explorează viitorul inteligent: întâlnirea rețelei EcoCore dă un nou impuls tranziției verzi

    Evenimentul a evidențiat parcursul remarcabil al orașului Alba Iulia, considerat unul dintre cei mai ambițioși inovatori urbani din România – un oraș care s-a reinventat prin viziune, finanțare europeană și parteneriate inteligente.

    Simona Arghire

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  • Exploring Smart Futures in Alba Iulia: EcoCore Core Network Meeting Energises Green Transition Momentum

    From May 19–22, the historic city of Alba Iulia, Romania, hosted the latest EcoCore Core Network Meeting, gathering municipal leaders, sustainability experts, and URBACT partners to exchange ideas and accelerate the green transition in small cities. From the moment partners arrived, Alba Iulia’s trademark warmth and hospitality wrapped everyone in a sense of belonging. 
     

    The event spotlighted Alba Iulia’s impressive journey as one of Romania’s most ambitious urban innovators - a city that has reinvented itself through vision, EU funding, and smart partnerships.
     

    Eileen Crowley

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  • Planificarea coridoarelor industriale printr-o abordare centrată pe utilizator

    Simona Arghire

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  • Planning Industrial Corridors with a User-Centered Approach

    When designing new developments, it’s essential to consider the diverse needs of different user groups. In the URBACT EcoCore Action Planning Network, this means creating green industrial corridors that are welcoming, safe, and sustainable—encouraging low-carbon transport options while ensuring accessibility for all.

    A user-centered approach that prioritizes inclusion and diversity doesn’t just improve functionality—it drives innovation and sustainability. So, how can we design industrial spaces that close skills gaps, foster collaboration, and attract a diverse workforce?

    Mary Dellenbaugh

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  • Beyond car dependency & brain drain: How Ormož is striving for a more sustainable future

    From February 3rd to 6th, 2025, urban practitioners and stakeholders from the URBACT EcoCore network gathered in Ormož, Slovenia for a transnational partner visit. The meeting provided an opportunity to explore innovative solutions in investment attraction, sustainable mobility, business zone development and industrial transformation. These topics resonate with cities across Europe facing economic transitions, talent retention challenges, and sustainability goals. In this article we share some of the key takeaways on these topics from our meeting in Ormoz. 

     

     

    Eileen Crowley

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  • Midpoint Milestones for the URBACT EcoCore Network: A Review of Test Actions Across Partner Cities

     

    As the EcoCore network reaches its halfway point, the nine partner cities across Europe have made significant strides in their shared mission to proactively work with stakeholders to put in place the conditions required to capitalise on the opportunities of the green transition.


    To date, the network has travelled to six of the nine partner cities to participate in core network meetings, see good practices firsthand, and exchange on challenges and opportunities related to the green transition. Cities visited so far include Balbriggan, Santo Tirso, Parnu, Tuusula, Kekava, and Villena. In 2025, partners will visit Ormoz, Alba Iulia, and Dubrovnik. 

    Eileen Crowley

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