Networks and cities' news

Digital solutions shine brighter in the dark

How can we maximalise conditions to get the full potential of exchange and learning?

Thinking about “evergreen” challenges at the mid-term of the BiodiverCity network 

“Very enriching experience for our municipality”. “The significant guidance provided by the URBACT Secretariat is very much appreciated”. “The inputs from the lead expert, ad-hoc experts and other partners are valued as extremely useful”. Based on this general feedback, the BiodiverCity learning journey is very positive. Yet, there is a huge gap between partner cities’ understanding of the challenge as well as their willingness to act through an integrated action plan. How can we make the learning journey better if everything seems alright?

We all know that integrated action plans can be game-changers and can be made for the desk drawer. It is all about commitment. Commitment from all participants of the learning journey. We all do our best, but we must confess, that despite all the efforts to make the learning process as effective as possible, there are factors we cannot influence.

Together with the host city, during several preparatory meetings, you put together an interesting agenda with a good mixture of knowledge, interaction and social elements. You do serious desk research to prepare for the upcoming meeting. You explain to the partners what to expect and who should come to the meeting. On the spot, you are active, you try to speak to, motivate and inspire everyone. But you cannot make sure that the local speaker will properly formulate the right message, enabling listeners to get it appropriately (if they are the right people to get that specific message). You organise exercises to capture the learning to push participants to share the lesson learnt at home with local stakeholders. But you cannot be everywhere…

These thoughts are in my mind, when coming back from the Mid-Term Review Meeting of the BiodiverCity action planning network, which works on urban biodiversity and nature-based solutions, relatively new themes in URBACT. No doubt, the project is on the right track, partners are satisfied with most segments of the network, and they also shared those thematic and methodological fields they would like to learn more about. 

When I arrive home, there is a clear action plan in my mind on how to tackle those thematic and methodological fields. Yet, I am still thinking about how to do better, especially now, before the most active semester of the network, since 2025 Spring-Summer will host Testing Actions, BiodiverCity Festivals, the finalisation of the action plans and in some cities, the City Nature Challenge will be also organised.

A Reflection about ARCHETHICS mid-point project

The ARCHETHICS Network, led by the Municipality of Cesena, is dedicated to addressing Dissonant Heritage in European cities by fostering awareness, community engagement, and urban regeneration initiatives. At its Mid-Term Reflection, held in Portugal in November 2024, the network assessed progress, highlighting successes such as increased public involvement, cross-European collaborations, and pilot activities that tested new approaches to heritage sites.

Key achievements include improved knowledge of dissonant heritage, strong stakeholder participation, and partnerships with universities and cultural institutions. However, challenges remain, including political resistance, funding shortages, and difficulties accessing some heritage sites. To overcome these obstacles, ARCHETHICS has proposed actions such as a Political Board Meeting, funding strategy workshops, a digital archive, and enhanced local communication. The overall outlook remains positive, with cities committed to advancing the project’s objectives.

Globalisation in a microcosm: stories of touristification and climate adaptation in Granada

The struggles of a Spanish city provide a lesson in preservation and promotion of the historic city centre. 

The city of Granada is synonymous with the breathtaking Alhambra palace. This outstanding cultural asset is truly a wonder from another time. Yet, an identity so closely linked to heritage brings a multitude of challenges. Granada’s central district has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984 (Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín) As a result, the city is now blessed and plagued with an influx of tourists who understandably place the Alhambra on their list of must-see sights. In recent years, locals have seen their numbers dwindle, and university students (which represent almost 20% of city population) struggle to find affordable accommodation, as short term rentals on platforms such as AirBnb flood the market. Visitors often stay for only one or two nights, eating tapas, visiting the Alhambra and continuing their tour after buying some inexpensive souvenirs. Owing to its position in southern Spain, between the sea and the mountains, the city is now charged with innovating strategies to grow their destination in a sustainable way, all while grappling with climate events that are becoming increasingly more noticeable. Behind the aesthetically pleasing facade, Granada has the third worst air quality in all of Spain, mainly due to topography and traffic pollution.

From newcomers to neighbors: the importance of welcoming and integrating new residents

With declining birth rates and population migrating to large urban hubs, mid-sized and small cities all over Europe strive to survive by attracting new residents. Bringing new people in is a great first step, but there’s a bigger challenge ahead: making sure they feel at home, accepted by local community. 

City branding and marketing: Tools to attract visitors, investments and new residents

In an era where small and medium-sized cities face the challenges of depopulation, city branding and marketing emerge as crucial strategies to attract people to visit, work, study, and live in these areas. This was the key focus of Mr. Carlos Brito’s lecture during the URBACT APN "Residents of the Future" meeting in Mangualde, Portugal. As an expert in city branding, Mr. Brito emphasized that branding transcends promotional efforts - it is a strategic framework for enhancing visibility, retaining communities, and attracting newcomers.