The social costs of energy transition and the opportunities of energy communities
Energy transition offers major structural changes to energy supply and consumption in our energy system in order to limit climate change. Especially after the breakout
Gdańsk Participatory Budgeting: a model for enhancing civic engagement
The Gdańsk participatory budgeting initiative, inaugurated in 2011, exemplifies a transformative approach to civic participation in urban development. This program allocates a specific portion of the city’s annual budget, approximately
Citizens’ participation and co-creation experiences in environmental issues
Over the past years an increasing attention towards environmental justice is gaining more public attention through media, activism and civic participation. The PUJ project in Prato, Italy, has explored many
The case against owning: sharing equipment at the Fritidsbanken leisure library
We all have used book libraries but what about a leisure library that allows you to try new sports by sharing outdoor equipment that you would otherwise only use a
Laboratori di Quartiere Bologna: Co-designing city policies through neighbourhood labs
The Laboratori di Quartiere (Neighbourhood labs) is a shared governance model promoted by the Municipality of Bologna, with the coordination of Fondazione Innovazione Urbana and in collaboration with the neighbourhoods.
Building new communities through culture and technology: the case of Budapest’s Bartók Cultural Quarter
In the Bartók Cultural Quarter of Budapest’s Újbuda district – characterised by universities, cultural institutions, art galleries, tech companies, and restaurants – an important experimental project has been taking place
Helsinki Youth Council: Amplifying young voices in local governance
Established in 2013, the Helsinki Youth Council serves as a platform bridging young voices with local governance. Initially formed through collaborative efforts, it prioritised inclusive representation, addressing diverse youth concerns. Over the
Barcelona’s Citizen Climate Assembly: civic engagement in decision-making
The Barcelona Climate Assembly, run by the city council, involved citizens in the decision-making process regarding climate change policies. The assembly was composed of randomly selected citizens who participated in
Barcelona’s pioneering efforts in fostering a sustainable and healthy food system
In the global pursuit of sustainable urban development, Barcelona has emerged as a pioneering city, leading the way in fostering a sustainable and healthy food system. This pursuit exemplifies the
Yourspace.Sutton community garden: Championing social inclusion
Yourspace.Sutton is more than a community garden. It provides workshops to kids, supports social therapeutic activities, and hosts local sustainable businesses in a horticultural environment. Tucked away in the back
Resistant and resilient: perspectives for independent culture in Hungary
Independent culture is a vital ingredient of Hungary’s cultural landscape. While Budapest remains a thriving metropolis with a strong independent scene and many smaller towns also cultivate their alternative cultural
Urban Lab Torino: making sense of urban processes
Urban Lab Torino is an independent association that tells the story of the large-scale transformation of Turin and its metropolitan area. Working closely with the Turin Municipality, the Lab spreads
Measuring social return: The case of the community centre Can Battló
Like other major European cities, Barcelona has a great industrial heritage that can now be re-used for a new and different development of its urban life, regenerating spaces, places and