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BiodiverCity Project hosts final IAP conference in Veszprém, Showcasing nature-based urban development

Veszprém hosted the final Integrated Action Plan (IAP) conference of the URBACT IV BiodiverCity project on 18 November 2025, bringing together around fifty participants from local government, academia, civil society and professional organisations. The event provided a comprehensive overview of the city’s ongoing transition from traditional urban planning towards an ecological, nature-based approach to development, reflecting the core mission of BiodiverCity.

The conference was opened by Áron Kovács, municipal councillor and Sustainability Commissioner, followed by a welcome address from Dr Endre Domokos of the University of Pannonia. In the keynote lecture, behavioural ecologist Prof. András Liker presented the latest insights from urban biodiversity research and highlighted the role of ecological evidence in maintaining resilient green spaces

A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the newly published booklet “Welcome to the Biodiversity Office”, our Network Result Product, accompanied by strong representation from the lead partner and several members of the URBACT Local Group.

When small cities shine: the attractive power of the night-time economy

By Simone d'Antonio
Ad-Hoc Expert Residents of the Future

Across Europe, the conversation around the night-time economy has traditionally focused on major cities and metropolitan areas, which have recognized the value of night-time activities for sustainable urban growth. Economic and cultural vibrancy, extended services (such as public transport, libraries and even nurseries), contrast to noise pollution, safety and use of public spaces in nocturnal hours are some of the main themes targeted by night policies designed to support urban life after dark. 

Residents of the Future PODCAST - Welcome to Saint-Quentin

In the latest episode of the Residence of the Future podcast, Saint-Quentin in northern France emerges as a clear example of how a medium-sized industrial city can respond to long-term depopulation while maintaining – and even improving – quality of life. Through the voices of Barbara Domont, member of the URBACT Local Group, and Nicolas Gibbe from the city administration, the episode traces a trajectory from industrial decline to cautious but concrete renewal.

ARCHETHICS: NEWS FROM THE NETWORK. What happened during this Network quarter?

What happend from June to October 2025?

Despite the summer break, the past few months have been busy ones for the Archethics network. The preparation of the final product is nearing completion and the partners are now busy with the final tasks. The last core network meeting was held in Leipzig and the project partners started to organise at local level testing actions, dissemination project event and last meetings with the URBACT Local groups. In this article we will explore the pilot actions developed by Vila Nova de Cerveira and Cesena are shared as well as the first readynetwork output: the outline of a digital archive of dissonant heritage.

Aicinām piedalīties 5. decembra seminārā par sarukšanas un mainīgo demogrāfijas tendenču ietekmi uz reģionālo politiku!

Viedās administrācijas un reģionālās attīstības ministrija (VARAM) aicina uz sesto ESPON semināru “Sarukšana un mainīgās demogrāfijas tendences: ESPON pētījumu atbalsts turpmākās reģionālās politikas izstrādei” 5. decembrī 10.30, Riga Islande Hotel telpās, Ķīpsalas ielā 2, Rīgā.

"Grad od riječi" Festival - Testing Action Implemented in Dubrovnik!

As part of the literary and cultural festival “Grad od riječi” (“City of word/s”), held in Dubrovnik from 2 to 4 October in the creative space of ex-factory TUP Gruž, the Dubrovnik Development Agency (DURA) implemented a testing action within the RECUP project.