United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG ASPAC)’s Post

Dublin / July 17, 2024 / Dublin City Council / -- #Dublin City Council is pleased to welcome three delegates from San Francisco, #USA, for a three-day study visit as part of the European Union-funded International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) program in North America. This collaboration marks a significant step in fostering international dialogue and partnerships aimed at sustainable #urban development. IURC has established itself as a leading global network for urban innovation and sustainable urban development. The cooperation between Dublin and San Francisco, initiated in January 2024, has already involved several technical meetings. This study visit will focus on key thematic areas including: - Circular Economy: Addressing food, the built environment, consumer products, and training & job creation. - Natural Refrigerants: Exploring their use in residential and commercial buildings. - Community Engagement: Enhancing participation and involvement at the community level. San Francisco will reciprocate by hosting Dublin delegates in October 2024. The cities will continue their cooperation until December 2025, working together to develop an Urban Cooperation Action Plan. This plan will outline actions and pilot projects designed to produce transferable results, aligning with the program's main objective of demonstrating concrete progress and impact. Dublin anticipates that this partnership will bring valuable insights and advancements, contributing to sustainable growth and innovation in both cities. This initiative supports the objectives of the #UN Paris Agreement, the UN Urban Agenda, the 2030 Agenda, and the cooperation between the US and the European Union, further emphasizing the commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship. Image Source | (©CB_Droneography | pixabay)

Save The Date! The Australasian Cities Research Network (ACRN) is delighted to announce the State of Australasian Cities (SOAC) Conference will be held in Brisbane from 9-12 December 2025, preceded by PhD/ECR Symposium being held from 7-9 December 2025. Visit www.soac2025.com and sign up to the enewsletter to be kept informed. SOAC 2025 will promote, foster, champion, and disseminate research relevant to Australasian cities and regions. It will bring together areas such as urban planning, how design and policy address current challenges and global trends in urbanism with a focus on legacy, long-term sustainability, and innovation. The interplay between global dynamics and local challenges presents a critical juncture for Australasian cities and regional centres. Phenomena such as climate change, pandemics, conflict, economic downturns, and political volatility are not merely external factors but are directly augmenting the complexity of local issues. These include environmental sustainability, urban sprawl and transportation, housing affordability and homelessness, population growth and demographic shifts, the preservation and integration of indigenous communities and knowledge, economic diversification and employment, and addressing the digital divide and connectivity. These challenges necessitate a departure from reactive policies towards a more proactive and integrated approach to urban and regional planning. #SOAC2025 #Brisbane

🆕 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐮𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 The EU has launched a special initiative to support small municipalities with innovative projects that embrace the core values of the #NewEuropeanBauhaus (NEB): sustainability, inclusivity, and beauty. 🏆 20 prizes will be awarded to help small players overcome early barriers and bring their ambitious projects to life. This initiative also provides recognition, visibility, and highlights the outstanding potential of municipalities striving to create positive change. 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲? Municipalities located in rural areas or with a population of less than 20,000 are eligible. ✔️ Check your eligibility 👉 https://lnkd.in/da7Fw_Vh 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫? Proposals must align with NEB values and working principles (participatory processes, multi-level engagement, and transdisciplinary approaches) and focus on projects related to: 🏗️ Built environment (construction, renovation, and adaptation of buildings or public spaces) - through the lenses of ♻️ Circularity and carbon neutrality,🏡 Affordable housing solutions, 🌾 Rural or urban space regeneration, and 🎭 Cultural heritage preservation 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝: 🔹 Demonstrate sufficient maturity with clear steps already taken (e.g., political support, citizen involvement, and stakeholder engagement). 🔹 Not yet be finalized at the time of application submission. 📅 Applications are open until 14 𝑭𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒚 2025. 👉 Check the eligibility criteria: https://lnkd.in/dp5UA4_Z ✍️ Submit your application: https://lnkd.in/dzGwYFbc #NewEuropeanBauhaus #Sustainability #Innovation #CommunityDevelopment

The collaboration with municipalities, city authorities and locals are very important. This was the common perception among the four projects funded under the Innovations for Managing Sustainable Urban Accessibility Call, as they met online for their midterm event in October. The event gathered over 30 participants and offered the projects an opportunity to meet each other for knowledge sharing, strategic discussions and exchanges on impact, and learning from their research and experiences so far. Read more about the discussions and outcomes from the event 👉 https://lnkd.in/drxyYu32 The Innovations for Managing Sustainable Urban Accessibility is an additional ERA-Net Cofund Urban Accessibility and Connectivity (ENUAC) call, where innovative solutions are the focal point. #ENUAC #UrbanMobility #15mincities #15MC

Excited to share our latest research on enhancing urban transport sustainability!🚍🚍🚍🚍🚍🚍🚍🚍🚍🚍🚍🚍🚍🚍🚍🚍🚍 Our study evaluates Budapest's public transport system, focusing on how decision support systems can drive sustainable development in urban settings. Using the innovative Magnitude Based Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process, we assessed various strategies to improve service quality, with the introduction of new buses emerging as the most viable solution. Key highlights: --Expert Evaluation: Engaged transportation experts in Budapest. --Advanced Methodology: Adopted a novel decision-making framework, validated through rigorous comparative and sensitivity analyses. --Sustainable Impact: The study provides actionable insights into urban transport development, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient system. Check out the full paper to explore how these findings can influence sustainable urban transport policies! 🌍 Special thank to the authors for their efforts: Dr. Baris Tekin Tezel, Dr. A.Ovgü Kinay , Prof.  Francesco Pilla Free open access link: https://lnkd.in/dJ2s68_m This article was partially funded by the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) through the Digital Voting Hub for Sustainable Urban Transport System, VOTE-TRA project (22/NCF/DR/11309). VOTE TRA is funded by the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) through the Digital Voting Hub for Sustainable Urban Transport System, VOTE TRA project (22/NCF/DR/11309). #NationalChallengeFund #NextGenerationEU #CitizenEngagement #UrbanTransport #SmartCities #SustainableTransport #PublicParticipation #CityPlanning #Ireland #CivicTech #DigitalDemocracy #UrbanMobility #CityLab #Innovation #Sustainability #UrbanDevelopment #CommunityEngagement #FutureCities #UrbanSustainability #PublicTransport #Research #SustainableDevelopment #DecisionSupport #Budapest

📢 Exciting new research alert! 🌿🏙️ In a great collaboration with Giovanni Esposito and Nathalie Crutzen, we just published a paper in Public Policy and Administration, titled "Sustainable urban development: A scoping review of barriers to the public policy and administration." In this study, we dive deep into the challenges facing sustainable urban development (SUD) policies. A comprehensive analysis of 90 academic papers identified 183 barriers hindering effective SUD policy implementation across the entire policy cycle. Key findings: We categorised barriers into five types: organizational, interaction-specific, SUD characteristics, contextual, and policy-related. Most barriers (66%) occur during the implementation stage of the policy cycle. We provide a strategic roadmap for overcoming these barriers at each stage of the policy process. This research is crucial for policymakers, urban planners, and sustainability professionals looking to enhance the effectiveness of SUD initiatives. By understanding these barriers, we can work towards creating more resilient, sustainable cities for the future. We invite you to read the full paper and join the conversation on how we can overcome these challenges and build more sustainable urban environments. https://lnkd.in/gwdQRAvH #SustainableUrbanDevelopment #PolicyResearch #UrbanPlanning #Sustainability #PublicPolicy KU Leuven Public Governance Institute Smart City Institute HEC Liège ULB

Register NOW for our upcoming Green Cities Vienna FREE virtual event TOMORROW at 12p. Join our guest speaker Dr. Gabu Heindl and moderator and CSU Board member Gernot Riether as they explore how urban space has become a battleground for political and economic forces. Register HERE: https://lnkd.in/eN8TVk5B Learning Objectives  1. Understand how urban spaces are influenced by political and economic forces, including gentrification, exclusionary security policies, and prioritization of investment interests. 2. Examine urban planning's role in creating inclusive, resilient communities by promoting public spaces that enable democratic engagement and active participation. 3. Discuss Participatory Planning and Grassroots Alliance. Recognize the importance of participatory planning processes and the role of alliances with grassroots organizations in countering privatization and austerity in urban spaces. 4. Identify Strategies for Expanding Democratic Potential in Cities. Develop strategies for preserving and expanding democratic potential in urban environments, especially in response to pressures that limit public access and participation. 5. Explore the Intersection of Architecture, Politics, and Urban Practice. Reflect on the interplay between architecture, politics, and urban practice in shaping cities that prioritize people over profit, ensuring space for democratic empowerment. Sponsor Organization for Green Cities Consortium for Sustainable Urbanization (CSU), UN-Habitat, AIA New York, AIANY Planning & Design, the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, Habitat Professionals Forum for Sustainable Cities, Creative Exchange Lab (CEL), Global Urban Development (GUD), and the Columbia University Center for Buildings, Infrastructure and Public Space (CBIPS). #CSUGlobal #sustainability #urbanization #architecture #greencities

🏚 🏢 Let's meet in Aalborg to discuss sustainable cities! From October 1 to 3, 2024, Aalborg Municipality will host the 10th European conference for sustainable cities and communities. The conference will be held at Aalborg Congress & Culture Center, while Kildeparken will be filled with green activities for all interested. Together with over 1,000 politicians and civil servants from across Europe, the conference will focus on three challenging questions: 🌿 How can the interaction between political levels be improved to promote ongoing sustainability? 🌿 How can cities and municipalities be the key to a coherent sustainable transition? 🌿 How should the sustainable transition be financed? To learn more and sign up, click: https://lnkd.in/eZ6JAEGS #DenmarkInPoland #GreenDK #sustainability #sustainablecities

Highlighting Sweden as a case study for effective Eco-urbanism is the highlight of this conference for me… Sweden’s urban planning strategies should be a course of study in higher institutions. I applaud the Lagos State government for this detailed presentation of the new Lagos, a city that will prioritize sustainability and eco-friendly activities. Together, we will create a nation that works.

What can we do differently today, to make our cities safer for young people tomorrow? This was the basic question that brought together +100 researchers, policy makers and planners together during the 11th Child in the City Conference in Brussels last year. As global advisors to the global S2Cities: Safe and Sound Cities program, currently piloted in 6 cities in 4 countries (Philippines, Indonesia, Ecuador, Colombia), we moderated a session to learn from good practices in Brussels: 💡 the manifesto developed by the youth coalition of Molenbeek for Brussels 2030, debated during two weeks, and presented to the Brussels Government. A key message for cities is to engage youth in policy making, so to ensure system change. 💡 the gender-inclusive planning and design of squares and streets, presented by Anaïs Maes, alderwoman at Ville de Bruxelles - Stad Brussel. A key message for cities is to include the lens of youth and girls in the design and planning of the built environment. 👇 Read more in our on-line article https://lnkd.in/eSzD4rfe Hats off also to Viviana Cordero of Huasipichanga, who showcased the impressive steps taken in the pilot cities in Ecuador. #safercities #cities4youth #cities4all Fondation Botnar Global Infrastructure Basel (GIB) Foundation