Be inspired by our cities! Day by day, during the first hundred days of the new EU Commission, we present one example of how cities tackle European challenges.
The culture sector has been hit hard, but it has also shown just how invaluable it is
Culture and covid
REYKJAVIK
Reykjavik's decade long experiment in e-democracy, is a model for a new kind of democracy.
Listen to the people
UPPSALA
A sustainable mobility is good for the climate – and can also fight poverty. Says Uppsala's mayor Erik Pelling.
The social dimension of cycling
PRAGUE
At the heart of Prague's new transport policy is a more integrated, energy efficient and environmentally friendly public transport system.
CARbon free
VANTAA
Vantaas' goal to be climate neutral by 2030 keeps in mind the well being of its citizens.
People power for climate
CHEMNITZ
How do you inspire creative entrepreneurship and revitalise empty buildings? Launch a competition offering free premises in return for good ideas. Job done!
Space to grow
WARSAW
Warsaw's mayor, Rafał Trzaskowski, is fighting to ensure cities have the resources they need to improve the lives of citizens.
A fair chance for all cities
BRAGA
Braga's Human Power Hub is working with citizens to create entrepreneurial initiatives with a social impact.
Citizens make the city
LYON
We all see our cities in different ways, but we wouldn't see them at all without light. That's why one city is painting its nocturnal aesthetic with a careful, integrated approach.
Let there be light
GHENT
Ghent is stepping up in its ambitions to become carbon neutral by 2050, and its mayor believes others should take note.
A will and a way
PORTO
Porto has a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, but thinking green requires a strong vision of the future.
My future city 2030
WARSAW
Ensuring that all residents are able to experience a barrier free lifestyle is at the heart of Warsaw's plans for the spatial and social development of the city.
Access all areas
RIGA
Our cities are alive with the sound of... cars. From sound barriers to silent tyres, we learn how Riga is turning down the volume.
Noise engin-ear
BRNO
An interview with Radek Kronovet, the head of Brno’s air protection department.
Time to breathe
BERLIN
Berlin is taking action to ensure that newly arrived Roma, and every resident, has the right and possibility to actively participate in society.
No place like home
ROTTERDAM
How one city is turning disadvantaged unemployed citizens into a thriving, motivated workforce through social clauses in public procurement.
Purchasing power
EINDHOVEN
Eindhoven is working with its residents to turn around an industrial past and focus on developing jobs in the new economy.
Together for success
TERRASSA
Behind the scenes of a city creating its future by making movies.
Lights. Camera. Action!
BRUSSELS
Brussels Capital Region has put the environment at the heart of its 10-year vision for revitalising the economy, and is working with local businesses to make this a reality.
A city in transition
FLORENCE
Cohesion policy brings many benefits to cities. We caught up with Dario Nardella, Mayor of Florence, to hear his thoughts.
Influencing innovation across Europe
LEEUWARDEN
By working with young people to instill new skills and create a good atmosphere, Leeuwarden is finding a new way to share its cultural secrets.
Oi, you, iepen up!
AIX-MARSEILLE-PROVENCE
If you can't travel to work, you can't find employment. One city is exploring this and other links between mobility and the local economy.
Upward mobility
ALMERE
Rampant water plants were causing trouble on lake Weerwater – until the city of Almere discovered that the plant fibres are a valuable raw material.
A flourishing business
MILAN
In Milan, researchers are working to discover how sharing can become part of everyday life.
Who cares about sharing?
STRASBOURG
This city is using funding to spark innovation by bringing businesses together with creatives.
Creative meets digital
OULU
Creative city solutions for young people, by young people
Creating through CHAOS
VALLADOLID
Valladolid has been working with local artists to promote their visibility in other cities and encourage a crossover of culture and ideas.
Bringing artists closer
LISBON
Lisbon is empowering residents of the Marvila district by making their story a part of a grand narrative.
Stories of the past, stories of the future
GOTHENBURG
High growth isn't always as straight forward as it seems, and the benefits do not always reach everyone. Long term investment requires careful planning.
Dare to listen
MUNICH
Dialogue. Respect. Presence. How Munich encounters conflicts in public space.
The power of words
MADRID
Although unemployment has been high in Spain since the economic crisis, Madrid is stepping up with a raft of policy measures.
Let’s get back to work
EDINBURGH
With Brexit blurring party lines and sharpening divisions in UK politics, one thing remains clear – city leaders still want a seat at the European table.
Empty chairs at empty tables
IZMIR
Through co-design, the local authority can be a catalyst that empowers people to bring about the change that they want to see in areas that have lost their luster.
Design for community
ANTWERP
How do you create a whole new city district without expanding upwards or outwards? Antwerp’s urban mobility project provides an answer.
Reclaiming the city
A SEAT AT THE TABLE
Cities can help EU policies to become more pragmatic and citizen-centred, says Anna Lisa Boni from EUROCITIES.
“We are the Pragma Party”
MIGRATION
Cities are the main destination of migrants and refugees, yet cities are not adequately involved in shaping migration policy.
Welcoming cities
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The EU’s cohesion policy has the potential to harmonise economic development, but for cities it’s not so straightforward.
Gluing Europe together
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
If we are serious about a sustainable future, now is the time to invest in it.
When is growth unstable?
CLIMATE
Frans Timmermans, new commissioner for the European Green Deal, has an ambitious climate agenda. To make it happen, he needs cities.
Part of the problem, part of the solution
COVID-19
In the corona crisis, big cities across Europe are collaborating cross borders.
Mayors call for European solidarity
DAY 100
On day 100 of our campaign, and day 100 of the new European Commission, we share a key message.
'Get things done with cities'
BIRMINGHAM
Their country left the European Union, but the British city of Birmingham wants to stay part of the European family: as a “SyncroniCity”.
“We will remain a European city”
MALAGA
From transit point to dynamic destination: see how far one European Capital of Smart Tourism 2020 has travelled to meet visitors' - and citizens' - expectations.
Where sun, sea and vision meet
ANTWERP
How a unique museum of personal migration stories from the past and the present is helping a city of 170 nationalities build a sense of belonging.
In the footsteps of migrants
LAUSANNE
Needs are always changing, so how can a city be sure that it satisfies its residents? What about giving them the reigns?
Over to you
LJUBLJANA
How do you make sure that your city has spaces and programmes that work for young people? Ask young people to help!
Young Dragons co-create the city beat
ANGERS
Planting urban trees to boost climate action and citizen wellbeing is a growing trend, but what does it take to get it right? France's greenest city, Angers, shows how it should be done.
Branching out
LODZ
Urban renewal is bringing life and jobs back to the centre of Lodz, a one time industrial city.
A breath of new life
TAMPERE
How do you tap into globalisation to strengthen your local economy? If you want to be an international force, you need to have an international workforce.
The movement for movement
BERGEN
Not sure if a cargo bike could work for you? Test it out in Bergen.
Bergen test rides the future
ESPOO
Why thinking big, telling a good story and daring to be different are putting Espoo on the fast track to a sustainable future.
Digital dynamo
COLOGNE
How the City of Cologne informs, mobilises and protects against sexual violence.
EDELGARD – Patron Saint for Women and Girls
SOFIA
Migration is an ancient part of Bulgaria's culture, so how does its capital use deisgn thinking to ensure that this remains a point of strength, not division?
Sandboxing migration
REIMS
The fast food industry has been slow to take action against plastic waste but now cities are helping big brands make amends. And Reims is lovin' it!
Sorting it out!
TURKU
Turku is bringing digital to its citizens in every avenue of city life.
Do it digital
BILBAO
Bilbao's low level of car use and focus on sustainable modes of travel, including walking, make it a model of inspiration.
Walking the talk
RIJEKA
Rijeka is all set for a year-long programme of cultural rejuvenation as European Capital of Culture 2020.
Port of diversity
STUTTGART
Stuttgart, of all places: see how the German ‘Autostadt’ is promoting electric cargo bikes to replace cars in the city.
Pedal power for the last mile
BOLOGNA
By experimenting with co-housing, Bologna is finding a model that benefits the city, residents and community at large, while finding a way back to its roots.
Community living in the city
OULU
In the Finnish city of Oulu people don’t need to go to the doctor as often as elsewhere. Digital technology helps them to take care of many of their own health matters.
Power to the patients
OSLO
Allowing migrant talent to emerge through incubation.
Go extra large
HELSINKI
Sure, climate change is a global challenge. But who says you cannot tackle it locally? You could even start in your own street.
Start on your doorstep
MUNICH
Too beautiful to be thrown away: the city of Munich collects well preserved goods from the garbage and sells them in a second-hand store.
Love at second sight
LJUBLJANA
A creative space for bottom up work on urban architectural and design challenges for social and environmental responsibility.
Innovation from a shipping container
VILNIUS
Boosting startups & community life
Balancing tech & community
LEEDS
An interrupted bid to become the European Capital of Culture spurred Leeds on to create its own cultural investment programme.
A commitment to culture
ESSEN
Essen and Changzhou are working together on innovation, sustainablity and elderly care.
We could grow old together
NANTES
When people are encouraged to come forward with and test out new ideas, the city becomes a playground for innovation.
Urban playground
DUBLIN
The first step to energy transformation is changing your mind.
Think energy
TOULOUSE
Getting together to get cars off the road – Toulouse is trying new ways to reduce commuter traffic.
Sharing the journey
LEEDS
High reduction targets and climate protection as a democratic process: Leeds forges ahead in fighting the climate crisis
Ask those concerned
LILLE
Using design principles, cities can open themselves up to radical transformation from the ground up. It's all about experimentation and finding out what works.
Intelligent Design
DRESDEN
Creative energy now flows where electricity used to be produced: Dresden’s arts centre Kraftwerk Mitte.
Creative powerhouse
SHEFFIELD
“He came, he was so isolated. He had anxiety; he was so stressed. He was an asylum seeker. He was lost, he didn’t think he could do anything.”
No one has no skills
SOCIAL INCLUSION
With inequality evident, especially in our cities, how do we achieve social convergence in Europe?
Breaking free of poverty
CULTURE
Culture has found its place back in the title of one of our commissioners - is it still a factor for all of them?
Culture is back
MOBILITY
Cities suffer from air pollution, traffic jams and accidents. A new sustainable urban mobility is needed.
A future without cars?
A SEAT AT THE TABLE
Europe's success depends on its cities, where most people live. The new EU Commission must therefore strengthen the urban dimension in European policies.
EU do it better with cities
COVID-19
The pandemic is hitting cities hard. They are responding with bold and innovative action.
Cities fight the corona crisis
ZAGREB
How does Zagreb keep in mind that everyone's mobility matters? It listens and learns from local NGOs and involves every group in society.
On the right track
SKOPJE
Cities are full of hidden histories - what if 3D technology could be used to bring those histories to life again?
Three dimensions of a city
GRENOBLE
Nature and biodiversity are important issues, but how do you show people the part that they play in our lives?
Snake hunt
KUNGSBACKA
The future is digital, and children must be prepared. But going digital means a lot more than putting a computer in the classroom.
Digital classrooms
POZNAN
Poznan's plan to tackle homelessness comes hand in hand with an open attitude where the city should belong to everyone.
Always with dignity
FLORENCE
How does Florence get people to be interested in participating at EU level?
No Europe without citizens
ATHENS
Mobility is a subject that touches everyone, and Athens is using the area as a platform on which to display wider change.
A glorious future
THESSALONIKI
How do you get car drivers and cyclists to agree about city mobility solutions? Take them on a journey together says Thessaloniki!
Cycling towards resilience
BUDAPEST
Elected only a few months ago, Budapest's new mayor, Gergely Karácsony, has been working with allies to stand up for cities in Europe.
Fighting illiberalism
WROCLAW
After a terrible flood cost many lives, and over half a billion in damages, one city has tamed its river and turned it into a source of life and prosperity.
Bankable rivers
BARCELONA
How one pollution-plagued city is getting rid of cars and filling the streets with fun, families and fresh air.
Reclaiming the streets
TALLINN
Mayor Mihhail Kõlvart of Tallinn shares his take on tackling poverty
One against poverty, one for climate!
TWENTE
Twente works in close cooperation with other cities nearby to localise global agendas and achieve regional goals.
A networked city
BURGAS
This seaside town has vaulted forward, using technology to give a new face to tradition.
Street smart
MALMO
Malmo’s target is based on a tailored approach to education, ensuring each child has the knowledge, skills and abilities they need to lead an active and independent life.
Every student’s best school
GRENOBLE
Could there be another solution to the energy crisis? What if the answer is right under our feet?
Pumping heat
BORDEAUX
What happens when residents pull the plug on enlightened policy?
Public discontent
AMSTERDAM
Could video-games be the key to changing young people’s energy behaviour? We interviewed a game developer behind Age of Energy to find out.
The world is over. Time to save it.
PARIS
What would happen if cities let rain run its course? Paris is becoming a permeable city and with rain, other positive effects have trickled in.
Let it rain
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
141 years ago, electric street lighting represented the pinnacle of technological development. Today so much more is possible.
Once upon a Tyne
VIENNA
Sharing economy services like Airbnb are much in vogue. Yet, for city administrations, the picture is more mixed.
Home sweet home
MADRID
From elderly care, to transsexual hairdressers, to marathon support, Madrid's 15,000 strong team of volunteers work with the municipality to make their city a better place.
Madrid's best team
RENNES
A permanent construction site and a space for experimentation and creativity: the “Hôtel Pasteur”, an old science faculty building in the city of Rennes, is re-designed by citizens.
Hotel for good ideas
FRANKFURT
Old age can be the most fulfilling part of your life - and cities are using film to make that possibility a realty.
Silver hair on the silver screen
DUSSELDORF
One-stop agency for the creative sector
Better call KomKuK
BRIGHTON & HOVE
Brighton & Hove is putting young people and creativity front and centre in its plans for economic and social reform.
Our future city
VILNIUS
Using open data and neuroanalytics to strengthen cultural heritage.
Smile: You're on camera
ROTTERDAM
Roof gardens make better air in the city and attract bees and butterflies – as well as human nature lovers.
Up on the roof
BRISTOL
Smart and connected washing machines help Bristol residents out of poverty – and the city to reduce its carbon footprint.
Making tech our friend
UTRECHT
When cycling is the most popular method of getting around, it promotes healthy urban living.
A path to wheel urban development
STRASBOURG
All major cities have vacant housing and people looking for homes. To make these two problems solve each other, you have to go to the source.
Making a house a home
ZARAGOZA
The spaces, objects and places around us shape our experience of the city – which is why ensuring equal access to public services is vital!
The city is for me
LJUBLJANA
How a 1970s hit became the unlikely anthem of a city turning its waste system around.
Rubbish bin blues
GHENT
Ghent has won an UN Climate Action Award for the way the Belgian city puts food on the table. These are the ingredients of Ghent’s food policy.
Saving the world with tomatoes
CITIZEN DATA
The digital transformation is increasingly impacting our daily lives – but what rights should private or state entities have over the data produced by people?
My data, my rights
CIRCULAR ECONOMY
The circular economy is set to become a key component of the European Green Deal, and many cities are already leading the way.
Rethink, reuse and repair
CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT
Cities can bridge the gap between European and national leaders and their citizens. As the closest level of government to people, cities are already experimenting with new types of democracy.
