From daily commutes to cultural outings, public transport is a key driver of the vitality of Europe’s city centers. Yet across the 27 EU capitals, prices for monthly passes vary widely—revealing different urban strategies and priorities for central accessibility. How much does it cost to reach the heart of the city? Public transport isn’t just … Read more
The city never sleeps — or at least, it shouldn’t anymore. As European city centres look to bounce back after the pandemic, the night has emerged as a powerful but often overlooked driver of urban vitality. Through cultural innovation, public policy and new models of local governance, a shift is underway: one that reclaims the … Read more
From April 8 to 10, 2025, the city of Wrocław, Poland, hosted over 600 participants from across Europe for the URBACT City Festival, a flagship event of the URBACT programme celebrating urban innovation and the exchange of best practices. An inspiring gathering in the UNESCO-listed Centennial Hall, full of connections, ideas, and enthusiasm. So, what … Read more
Guimarães, in northern Portugal, has been named European Green Capital for 2026, a recognition that could transform its city center into a model of urban sustainability. This award, granted by the European Commission, aims to encourage cities to adopt eco-friendly practices while improving citizens’ quality of life.A Historic City Center at the Heart of the … Read more
The number of territories supported by the InTerLUD+ program currently stands at 58. While 10 new territorial and concerted urban logistics charters were signed in 2024, this foresees the launch of several actions in 2025. In this article, we will focus on three territories already taking action, each with an evolving charter that has not … Read more
During the seminar “Environmental Transitions and Territories,” organized by the National Agency for Territorial Cohesion and the ESPON program, Dominique Consille, director of the Action Cœur de Ville program, shared her expertise on transforming medium-sized urban centers. Through an approach aimed at reducing land artificialization, promoting soft mobility, and revitalizing central areas, her intervention highlighted … Read more
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, cities across Europe are taking center stage in the fight for gender equality. In a context where feminist achievements are increasingly challenged, these urban initiatives serve as a powerful reminder that local policies play a crucial role in advancing women’s rights. Cities as Key Actors for Women’s Rights … Read more
This shift began when Trenčín included placemaking as part of its bid to become the European Capital of Culture 2026. From the outset, the city recognized the importance of placing communities at the center of its vision, embedding culture into the urban fabric using placemaking principles. This commitment brought Trenčín to the Cities in Placemaking … Read more
On February 4, 2025, the European Town Center Observatory held a session dedicated to town center management and the tools available to enhance their attractiveness. International experts and practitioners shared their experiences on governance models, revitalization strategies, and best practices across Europe and beyond. An Observatory to Compare Best Practices Launched in February 2024, the … Read more
Involving Disabled People in Creating a City Accessible for All Komotini, a city in northeastern Greece, has become a shining example of how accessibility and social inclusion can transform urban life. By actively involving disabled people in the city’s development, Komotini has created a model that inspires other cities across Europe. Let’s explore how this … Read more
Recognised by the European Heritage Hub among its call for 10 Local Good Practices, the District C Project in Guimarães, Portugal, exemplifies a unique approach to urban regeneration and sustainability, serving as a testing ground for zero-carbon policies. “District C began in 2020, with the vision of creating a cultural and knowledge-based neighbourhood in an … Read more
On February 6th, our European Observatory on City Centers focused on a key topic: “The Importance of Emotions in Urban Mobility,”. This discussion on user experience aligns with another major mobility challenge in Europe: the development of Mobility as a Service (MaaS), a concept that is reshaping how people access transportation services. MaaS: A Lever … Read more
Across Europe, car congestion and safety concerns make school commutes a challenge, with many families relying on cars for their children’s daily travel. This dependency not only poses risks to children’s safety and health but also contradicts long-term environmental goals. The school run increases traffic congestion, raises pollution levels, and reinforces car dependency among future … Read more
Athens is set to welcome its first 15-minute city with the transformation of Hellinikon, Europe’s largest urban regeneration project. This ambitious initiative aims to create a vibrant, self-sufficient urban environment where work, education, healthcare, shopping, parks, and leisure are all within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from home. A Visionary Urban TransformationLed by LAMDA … Read more
Madrid’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) has officially expanded to cover the entire city as of January 2025, marking a significant milestone in the city’s efforts to combat air pollution. This journey began in 2018 with the introduction of Madrid Central, the city’s first LEZ. Despite legal setbacks in 2020, the initiative laid the foundation for … Read more
Rethinking Urban Mobility in Brussels: The Rise of Cargo Bikes In a city where nine out of ten families with children rely on cars, a sustainable alternative is emerging: cargo bikes. These versatile, eco-friendly vehicles are revolutionizing how families, professionals, and entrepreneurs navigate the urban landscape. From school runs to grocery shopping, cargo bikes offer … Read more
A Walk Through HistoryThe concept of shared spaces reappeared in the 1980s, with road engineer Hans Monderman leading the charge in the Netherlands. By removing traffic signs and lanes, Monderman showed that streets could be designed to accommodate all users, not just cars. This idea has since been implemented in various cities, transforming areas previously … Read more
Over 100 million people in the European Union live with a disability, making cities pivotal in ensuring accessible and inclusive environments. However, accessibility isn’t just about removing physical barriers—it’s about fostering inclusivity across urban spaces, digital services, transport systems, and public events to accommodate diverse needs, whether physical, sensory, or intellectual. Vienna exemplifies this holistic … Read more
The year 2025 promises to be decisive for the European Union, with major political, economic, and diplomatic challenges on the horizon. Here are the key dates to watch in the first half of the year: January 2025 February 2025 March 2025 May 2025
The year 2025 marks a crucial milestone for Digital Citizenship Education (DCE). This initiative presents a unique opportunity to enhance its visibility and impact while reaffirming its vital role in an increasingly digital world. A Platform for Collaboration and ExchangeThis special year offers a strategic platform to bring together key stakeholders from the public, private, … Read more
Mental Health in the EU: A Growing ConcernNearly half of Europeans have faced emotional or psychosocial challenges in the past year, making mental health a critical issue across the EU. Cities are uniquely positioned to address these challenges, bridging healthcare gaps and tackling the broader social, economic, and environmental factors contributing to mental distress. Urban … Read more
Nestled in the heart of Styria, Graz is much more than just a regional capital. This thousand-year-old city, recognized as one of Austria’s most beautiful, is a treasure trove of history and culture. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, it charms visitors with its medieval alleyways, Renaissance facades, Baroque palaces, and bustling … Read more
Kaunas, Lithuania’s second-largest city, transforms into a true winter wonderland during the holiday season. With its unique blend of history, modernity, and local traditions, Kaunas provides an unforgettable Christmas experience in its charming Old Town. The Town Hall Square, also known as the “White Swan Square,” becomes the heart of the festivities. A magnificent Christmas … Read more
A Historic Milestone for European Integration Romania and Bulgaria will officially become full members of the Schengen Area on January 1, 2025, following a landmark decision by European Union member states on December 12, 2024. This decision marks a significant achievement for the two Eastern European countries, which joined the EU in 2007 but had … Read more
An Ambitious Infrastructure Project with Global Reach The long-anticipated Budapest-Belgrade (BuBe) railway line is on track to be completed by 2025, according to the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó. This major infrastructure project is a key component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), enhancing connectivity between Central and Northern Europe … Read more
As cities face challenges like climate change and the loss of green spaces, football clubs are stepping up to promote sustainability and social responsibility. With their deep community ties, football clubs are uniquely positioned to make a positive impact on urban environments, from creating greener spaces to engaging youth in sustainable practices. Clubs like Spain’s … Read more
Rovaniemi, located in the heart of Finnish Lapland, is globally renowned as the official hometown of Santa Claus. Each winter, this iconic destination draws visitors from all over the world, offering an unforgettable Christmas experience in a magical setting. The Santa Claus Village, located right on the Arctic Circle, is Rovaniemi’s main attraction. Visitors can … Read more
Oradea, a true gem of Transylvania, stands out as a must-visit destination during the holiday season thanks to its enchanting Christmas market. Every year, Union Square (Piața Unirii), surrounded by stunning Baroque buildings with colorful facades, transforms into a magical Christmas village, attracting visitors seeking tradition and authenticity. Oradea’s Christmas market features a wide array … Read more
On November 27, 2024, the EU Directors-General for Urban Matters (DGUM) gathered in Budapest to advance the Urban Agenda for the EU. The meeting highlighted the launch of two new partnerships in 2025: Building Decarbonisation and Water Sensitive City.These initiatives are designed to tackle climate change by promoting energy-efficient buildings and sustainable water management in … Read more
Zaragoza, the capital of Aragon, is an ancient city, was founded by the Romans as Caesaraugusta, conquered by the Arabs in the eighth century, in the early twelfth century was liberated by Christian troops, and became the capital of Aragon. Zaragoza is famous for its art and architecture, folklore and gastronomy.The most important historical buildings … Read more
Brno, the capital of Moravia, continues to reinvent Christmas with its iconic tree at náměstí Svobody (Freedom Square), a symbol that blends tradition and modernity. What makes this celebration truly innovative is its ability to merge history, solidarity, and immersive experiences for visitors while staying true to its origins. Brno, in the Czech Republic, celebrates … Read more
The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22, 2024, marks a pivotal moment in global efforts to combat climate change. On November 14, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for fair and ambitious financial commitments to achieve post-2025 climate goals. Socially Fair Climate Financing … Read more
Gouda, famous for its iconic “Gouda by Candlelight” event, offers a unique spectacle each year that transforms its historic city center into a fairy-tale setting. On Friday, December 13, 2024, the city will be illuminated by thousands of candles, providing visitors with a magical and unforgettable experience. The cobbled streets, sparkling canals, and medieval buildings … Read more
The holiday season is the perfect time to experience the magic of Christmas markets, and this year, we invite you to explore a special Advent Calendar that highlights medium-sized European cities and cities from the Centre-Ville en Mouvement network. Every weekend, we will take you on a journey through innovative Christmas markets where tradition meets … Read more
Captures impactful scenes from the COP29 summit in Baku, alongside significant events worldwide. At COP29, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Nick Hague delivered a message from the International Space Station, highlighting the urgency for climate action. Held in Azerbaijan, a major oil and gas producer, COP29 faces unique challenges as it aims to keep global … Read more
Delivery workers, essential to our daily lives, face challenging conditions despite their critical role. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted their importance, yet many couriers still lack security, insurance, and fair wages. Many, particularly immigrant workers, operate without formal contracts, leaving them without social or legal protections. So.De: Social Delivery for a Fairer Future To address these … Read more
In 2023, Europeans traveled a record-breaking 429 billion kilometers by train, marking an 11% increase from 2022 and surpassing pre-Covid levels, according to Eurostat. France and Germany Lead the Way Almost half of all train journeys took place in France and Germany, with 101.3 and 101.4 billion kilometers traveled, respectively. These two countries remain Europe’s … Read more
Today marks the European Cultural Observatory event titled Reinventing City Centers: Drivers of Attractivity, featuring Esch-sur-Alzette, European Capital of Culture 2022. This event highlights the growing role of culture in revitalizing and enhancing the appeal of European city centers. On December 13, 2023, the French Ministry of Culture designated Bourges as the European Capital of … Read more
`As October draws to a close, Halloween brings with it a wave of eerie excitement and mystery. For those who want to skip the costumes and candy to dive into Europe’s rich and spooky folklore, there are adventures waiting that mix ancient legends, ghostly rituals, and haunting celebrations. From the dark forests of Germany to … Read more
New data from Eurostat reveals a troubling trend among Europe’s youth, with almost 15% of those aged 16 to 29 facing difficulties paying their rent over the past year. This figure highlights the growing financial pressure on young people across the European Union, exacerbated by rising living costs, particularly in countries like France, the Netherlands, … Read more
Bucharest became the center of European heritage preservation, as over 800 guests, joined by many more viewers online, gathered for the prestigious European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards ceremony. The event, a highlight of this year’s European Heritage Summit, celebrated 26 remarkable laureates from across Europe. Co-hosted by European Commissioner Iliana Ivanova, the ceremony revealed the … Read more
In a groundbreaking move for France, Talence, a suburb of Bordeaux, has become the first municipality in the country where local businesses accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment. As of this summer, 18 stores in Talence now offer the option to pay with cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. This payment method is made possible by … Read more
The regional government of Madrid, led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, has recently proposed an initiative to use the Madrid metro system for transporting goods at night. This idea, still under evaluation, aims to utilize the public transport network during low-traffic hours to optimize existing infrastructure and reduce street congestion. The project has sparked some controversy, … Read more
A new environmental attraction in Gulbene, Latvia, features a container nursery for observing young pine trees. Developed by Carbon Less Future Ltd and supported by the local municipality, this innovative design is patented by the EU Patent Office. Entrepreneur Aigars Jačuks explains that the initiative promotes green thinking, offering companies equipment for natural resource restoration … Read more
Dr. Peter Berrill’s study, featured in Transportation Research Part D, investigates the relationship between urban design and mobility habits in Berlin and 18 additional European cities. The findings demonstrate that proximity to city centers significantly reduces car ownership and the use of cars for travel, with a notable exponential drop in car ownership observed 6 … Read more
The EU’s NetZeroCities platform has announced further support for 25 cities striving to become climate neutral by 2030. These cities are part of the EU Cities Mission and will collectively receive over 14 million Euros through the Horizon Europe program to become ‘Pilot Cities’. This initiative will enable them to test innovative decarbonisation strategies across … Read more
Tallinn’s Deputy Mayor, Madle Lippus, advocates for revitalizing the city center to prevent its decline, emphasizing the need for infrastructure projects. Key focuses include improving access to the city center and addressing the shortage of kindergartens. Plans include extending the tram line and creating a bicycle-sharing system. While challenges persist, such as slow progress on … Read more
Valencia, known for its sunshine, has been named Europe’s Green Capital, praised for its 5 million square meters of green space and the accessibility of nature to its residents. Winning the title comes with a 600,000 euro grant and valuable marketing benefits. Paola Llobet, Valencia’s councillor for tourism and innovation, sees it as recognition of … Read more
Bucharest, Romania, is gaining popularity among tourists, earning the nickname “new Berlin” due to its beautiful architecture and vibrant city center. With a bustling nightlife and affordable options, it’s becoming a top choice for city breaks. The city’s thriving cafe culture, with its array of specialty coffee shops, adds to its charm. The Old Town, … Read more
The European Observatory for City Center, launched by Centre-Ville en Mouvement in February 2024 at the European Parliament, held its first online conference on April 3rd, focusing on governance and financing models for downtowns and commercial arteries, with examples from Canada and Italy. Discussions highlighted practices such as Commercial Development Corporations (CDCs) in Canada, which … Read more
In this town in eastern Slovenia, after years of renovations to the city center financed by national, local, and European funds, culture has been restored as the central element of urban policy. The municipality aims to further revitalize the historical district by proposing additional cultural spaces and intergenerational meetings, resulting in a diverse lineup of … Read more
Inside the Czech capital, authorities have made the decision to limit the automobile traffic for all vehicles (except for residents, taxis, and all other vehicles that possess an authorization). Prague’s first district will then be closed for access between 10pm and 6am. The goal? Reduce noise pollution which has been affecting the city center’s residents … Read more
Milan, the capital of fashion, is at a crossroad concerning pollution. As we are facing more and more issues having to do with climate change, a decision has to be made to reduce emissions. The mayor is choosing to target private traffic within the confines of the city center in order to reduce the pollution … Read more
In this municipality, the initiative consists in gathering several little businesses within the same commercial premises. The main goal is to encourage small businesses to take a chance to open their shops and test out the profitability while enjoying a lower rent. This comes after the realization that there needs to be a change of … Read more
As it is the case in most city centers across Europe, there is a need to adapt to the changes following the pandemic which fueled the development of e-commerce amongst other things. Germany has understood the challenge, the main take-away being that we need to rethink city centers as an ensemble. It is the whole … Read more
Located in Brittany, Saint-Brieuc is a mid-sized city with more than 45 000 inhabitants.Music boxes installed in the streets of Saint-Brieuc surprise passersby! They are the work of the multidisciplinary art collective “The Anomik Nation” which “offers music to passersby”. Since 2018, the concept seduced plenty of European cities while installing more than 250 music … Read more
The Municipality of Coimbra is developing and implementing a strategy to revitalize the historic city center, organizing dynamic and attractive cultural events for all age groups and different audiences. The aim is to attract the city’s inhabitants and visitors to the “heart of the city”, creating new economic, social, and cultural dynamics in a unique … Read more
For the past decade, this small town of Tyrol has been emerging as an active regional center. Thanks to several development groups and a clever combination of planning and urban marketing, the commercial vocation of the city center has been strengthened. The recipe for this success? A transversal approach, through an ambitious pedestrianization strategy, the … Read more
What solution to face the scarcity of urban space and climate change? To this question, the city of Rotterdam answered with the Rooftop Walk: a promenade on several rooftops of the city center connected by a 30-meter-long aerial bridge. This interesting yellow path is a short-lived installation created by the association “Dakendagen.” The course showcases … Read more
*This event is not organized by the French Government. However we have been allowed by the French Government to use the emblem of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
