Author: indy

Urban areas across the globe are increasingly vulnerable to the intensifying effects of climate change,particularly the phenomenon of the Urban Heat Islands (UHIs). Caused by factors such as the loss of vegetation, high concentrations of impermeable surfaces, and dense built environments, UHIs can lead to significant temperature differences within the same city. These higher temperatures pose serious risks to public health, strain infrastructure, reduce...

Belval, a redeveloped district in Luxembourg, serves as a compelling example of how cities can reinvent themselves through coordinated urban regeneration. Once one of Europe’s largest steel production hubs, Belval has undergone a remarkable transformation into a thriving, mixed-use urban quarter. Through strong political vision, public-private collaboration, community engagement, and a commitment to sustainability, Belval demonstrates how industrial decline can be turned...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY3VAIyIzZk Watch the insightful webinar on YouTube. Download Presentation 📄 Download the presentation slides This session, hosted by the IURC North America, featured expert speakers from Europe and North America discussing how cities are adapting their building stock to be more sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready. 💡 Key Topics Covered: Prioritizing existing buildings for both people and the planet. Sustainable materials management and circular...

In this Best Practice, we explore how the rise of e-commerce is transforming urban life starting at the curb. As urban deliveries increase and cities aim to create more sustainable, people-centered environments, curbside space faces growing pressure from competing uses such as loading zones, cycling infrastructure, EV charging, outdoor dining and pedestrian access. This transformation aligns with the objectives of the European...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU18YZk1jA4 Watch the insightful webinar on YouTube. Download Presentation The future of urban transportation is evolving rapidly, and shared mobility is at the forefront of this transformation. Experts from the Sustainable Urban Mobility and Transport (SUMT) IURC-NA network gathered for an insightful webinar to explore the latest strategies for integrating shared mobility into urban policies. With cities embracing electric micromobility and shared...

As cities strive to build a more sustainable and circular economy, reuse is emerging as a key solution, offering environmental, economic, and social benefits. By supporting repair and refurbishment businesses, promoting reusable packaging, and facilitating material exchanges, local governments can reduce waste, cut carbon emissions, lower unemployment, reduce prices and create new economic opportunities. Our latest Best Practice explores how cities are successfully integrating...

Urban agriculture is redefining the way cities utilize land, transforming vacant lots, rooftops, and vertical farms into thriving new hubs of local food production, social interaction, and environmental resilience. From community gardens to food forests, cities are leveraging urban agriculture to address food insecurity, promote biodiversity, and enhance climate adaptation. For local governments, investing in urban agriculture goes beyond food production; it’s about experimentation, preserving gastronomic heritage,...

Vienna's housing strategy ensures affordability, inclusivity, and sustainability through public and social housing, rent controls, and tenant protections. This approach stabilizes market costs and fosters social cohesion. With 78% of housing as rentals and over half publicly supported, Vienna promotes diverse, mixed-income communities. Strict regulations prevent excessive rent hikes, while public renovations maintain affordability. Beyond cost control, the city prioritizes...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wrng6vwIcx0 This session showcased successful revitalization projects from Madrid, Dublin, Rome, Toronto, and Pavlos Melas, where decommissioned industrial sites, abandoned military facilities, and vacant public buildings were transformed into thriving spaces. Urban areas worldwide face the challenge of underused and abandoned spaces. Left unaddressed, these locations can contribute to inequality and urban fragmentation. However, with the right strategies, they present...

The recent IURC NA Urban Planning Cluster visit to Barcelona, from 4-5 November, brought together 14 cities from Europe, Canada, and the USA for two days of intensive collaboration on two critical urban challenges: affordable housing and urban data management. The event, organized around site visits, workshops, and the Smart City Congress, provided a platform for cities to share experiences...