City center news

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