What's new

Insights from the URGE network: thematic report

Circular economy in the built environment, approached from different perspectives: academic, design, architectural, construction, civic and the role of infrastructure for materials’ storage, Destination circular: The case of Copenhagen.

By Dr. Eleni Feleki, Lead Expert of the URGE Action Planning Network

Case study Copenhagen: Citizen engagement for circular gardens

In this fourth case study delivered by the URGE network, the city of Copenhagen shares their experiences with citizen engagement in the regeneration of an urban courtyard: 'Urban Garden of the Future', in which they placed focud on circular reuse of soil, concrete, windows, and wood.

Natural playgrounds of Poznan

In his book "The Last Child of the Forest", Richard Louv defines the syndrome of deficit of contact with nature in children. He notes that children living in cities have limited access to free play in the bosom of nature, which has a negative impact on their psyche, ability to concentrate, motor coordination and physical condition. Natural playgrounds are the antidote to these issues.

Nextagri in a Nutshell

Under the frame of the “Milan Food policy” and the policy strategy called “Circular Milan”, the legacy of OpenAgri post-UIA consists in an innovation hub serving a bigger part of the agricultural park, with a strong focus on the waste-water sector, understood as the activities related to treatment, and valorisation and reuse of wastewater of any origin (municipal, industrial, or agricultural).

NextAgri is the mechanism to transfer the practice to 3 European cities: Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal, Stara Zagora in Bulgary and Almere in the Netherlands

Creating space for people starts with talking to people

Guía de Isora is characterised by its polycentric structure of 17 villages with 3 main centres and an overall low population density with about 21,000 inhabitants spreading out over 14,343 km². Public transport services face challenges from low ridership and the high quantity of needed connections to provide a good travel option between the villages thus, for residents and visitors alike. Consequently, the main mode chosen to travel between the villages is cars coming along with using much of the available public space for roads and parking. Guía de Isora strives to provide attractive and safe public spaces, however. Starting with the centre of the main village, Guia de Isora Casco, the city plans to apply pilots for testing how changes are met by people. But to safeguard a good start to the pilots, they simply asked people on their problems and needs!

Alba Iulia, "Sustainable Community - European Energy Award"

The beginning of this week brought good news for Alba Iulia, the Other Capital: the confirmation that the continuous efforts made for the development of a smart city and sustainable community were not in vain. His Excellency Mr. Arthur Mattli, the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Romania, was present in Alba Iulia to confirm the good path the Other Capital is following in terms of becoming a sustainable community. The city, represented by Mr. Mayor Gabriel Pleșa, Deputy Mayors and other representatives of Alba Iulia Municipality, was awarded by HE Mr. Arthur Mattli with the prestigious "Sustainable Community - European Energy Award".