City center news

GERMANY – Bremen is waking up vacant buildings !

Since 2009, the German city of Bremen has been running the ZZZ. This temporary use agency wakes up vacant buildings and unused lands by filling them with innovative economic, social, and cultural projects. The ZZZ or ZwischenZeitZentrale, which means “in-between-times headquarters”, acts as a mediator between different actors. It tracks down buildings and users, advises … Read more

SPAIN – Barcelona, take your bike!

The municipality of Barcelona is creating news axes and new ways of moving within the city! Since September, Barcelona has renewed the mobilities rules of one of its main avenues in the city center. Every Friday morning from 8:30 till noon, the Avenue is closed to cars and gives free movement to bikes. This concept … Read more

ITALY – Milano colored city!

Milano has launched the “Quadra” project which is giving the opportunity to the citizens to invest a 600m square space while creating social link. With colorful and geometric patterns, the structure is inspired by children drawings! Green spaces and playgrounds have been created to transform the place into a convivial and meeting point. The people … Read more

POLAND – Krakow invites you to meet and talk!

Creating social links between people for a more human city center is the main purpose of the concept! The municipality of Krakow has developed a brand new and innovative concept while setting up “discussion benches” in its city center. We all lived under the sanitary crisis with restrictions and for once, this concept is giving … Read more

FRANCE – Could the energy of public transports supply city’s energy ?

What if the energy of public transportations could supply city’s energy ? Subways generate heat energy (engine, brake, …), furthermore, the confined spaces where people are interacting are also generating human heat. In that perspective, how can we use this energy while avoiding it’s loss in the air ?Several cities as London, Paris or Stockholm … Read more

SPAIN – Valencia is rethinking urban planning!

Involving citizens in the heart of urban planning is the new mantra of Valencia. Name of the program : “Valencia, town of squares”.

©Valencia City Hall

Many squares located in the heart of the city center have become pedestrian areas following people’s desire.

The city used the same strategy for the square named “Place de la Reine” which will be totally pedestrian during the summer 2022. Many bike paths have been developed creating a real circuit through the city, while giving a safe and peaceful atmosphere.

In 5 years, the number of bike paths has increased to 30%. Indeed bicycle use has increased to 214%! Well done!


Our Institutional Partners

Our Private Partners


*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.