Urban Agenda for the EU

An initiative of the German Presidency of the Council of the EU, a New Leipzig Charter was adopted and stands as a key framework document for integrated sustainable urban development in Europe. It is accompanied by an Implementing document which intends to guide the next phase of the Urban Agenda for the EU according to renewed parameters.

The Action Plan aims at providing directions on how to face global and local challenges of our times to create safer cities and public spaces and to bring real European added value. The Actions are driven by technology for smart, sustainable, and safe cities and managing security and sharing public spaces in urban and peri-urban areas.

The Partnership on Culture/Cultural Heritage published its final Action Plan! 11 Actions have been developed under the overall mission to improve the management of the historic built environment of European cities, promote Culture, and preserve the quality of urban landscapes and heritage.

The Urban Agenda Partnership on Innovative and Responsible Public Procurement published the link to their e-learning module. The module will guide you through 7 topics under the theme of responsible and innovative public procurement.

The Roadmap for a Circular Resource Efficiency Management plan offers cities and urban areas a structured, step-by-step approach to develop a substantiated plan of action that improves resource efficiency and drives the transition to a circular economy.

The 2nd Urban Case Study on decreasing residential segregation is out, looking at a successful case of Roma integration based on multi-level cooperation in Pécs, Hungary. Take a look!

The Urban Innovative Actions (UIA) and the Urban Development Network are joining forces to organise three webinars on 03, 10 and 17 February 2021. The webinars will showcase UIA achievements, promote the UIA experience and capitalisation efforts, explore synergies with the wider Cohesion Policy and draw perspectives for the its renewal as part of the European Urban Initiative for the 2021-2027 period.

Close to 500 participants from 40 countries joined the conferencce and listened to panel discussions with representatives from among others cities, regions, the EU Green Deal and the Leipzig charter and to together define the upcoming years priorities and challenges in urban transitions. Follow the link to find information about the conference, its presentations, the DUT partnership and its three pillars, and to contribute to the concept board!

The IUC-North America regional Cooperation includes 20 EU cities and 20 North American cities which are collaborating on topics such as sustainable urban mobility and circular economy through the formation of national partnerships. Read the report for further information!

This UN Habitat report analyses the intrinsic value of cities in generating economic prosperity, mitigating environmental degradation, reducing social inequality and building stronger institutions, and explores the role of innovation and technology, local governments, targeted investments and the effective implementation of the New Urban Agenda in fostering the value of sustainable urbanisation.

Building on the success of the URBACT Transfer Network model, URBACT and Urban Innovative Actions (UIA) have developed a pilot transfer mechanism for completed UIA projects. The pilot will finance up to four networks whose aim will be to adapt the UIA innovations and develop an investment plan to fund their implementation. Apply by 1 February 2021!

Professionals are invited to submit their best projects on efficient climate solutions in buildings, districts and infrastructures, with the aim of boosting their adoption and thus accelerate the ecological transition of the sector.

This open call is an opportunity for cities to participate as implementation partners in a city-based open innovation competition, alongside a global pool of technologists, businesses and investors to develop, test and scale solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.