News of European City Centers

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 remarkable transformation unfolded. A Multi-Phase…

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 area of the city recognised…

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 for More Sustainable MobilityMaaS aims…

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 generations. To create more liveable…

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 Development, the project will revitalize…

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 the comprehensive Madrid 360 Strategy,…

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 a practical and sustainable solution,…

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 dominated by vehicles into vibrant…

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 approach. By integrating inclusivity into…

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