URBACT stories

Housing at the URBACT festival 2018: from the EU Urban Agenda to Lisbon (PT)

Affordable and adequate housing is one of the theme Lab sessions at URBACT City Festival taking place in Lisbon, 13-14 September 2018. This text serves the purpose of introducing to the housing debates in Lisbon, linking them to the work of the EU urban agenda (EU UA) on affordable housing.

Challenging housing conditions in Lisbon

Take a deep breath (or better not)

How European cities are fighting air pollution?

In November 2017 the European Environment Agency (EEA) launched the European Air Quality Index showing in real time the quality of air the EU citizens are breathing. Depending on where you live, this might not be your favorite map. Air pollution is not a new problem and one that adversely affects almost every single one of us. Are there reasons to be optimistic?

The costs of dirty air

Two cities united by a love of good food

As URBACT opens its first call for Transfer Networks here’s a story of how a Good Practice from one city was adapted and transferred to a completely different local context.

Crowdfunding City Futures?

What has crowdfunding got to do with urban development? What part of the future funding mix could crowdfunding play for European cities strapped for cash yet needing to respond to change and deliver sustainability?

Why ‘Think Global, Act Local’ is no longer enough

How can cities refresh the message ‘think global, act local’ and build common purpose amongst stakeholders – citizens, communities, elected representatives, businesses, civil servants – to achieve the impacts that are needed in towns and cities across Europe and across the world? 

Young People and Jobs in Europe’s Cities: What actions can cities take to better engage employers?

"It is employers who create jobs" If cities are to help young people to get the jobs they need, then engaging with employers is pivotal to success. Success requires the creation of more and better jobs for young people to do. It means employers, large and small, public and private, from local start-ups and microbusinesses to national and international corporations with branches in the city, recruiting more young people, retaining them, developing them and providing opportunities for them. So, employer engagement needs to be at the heart of city action to meet the youth employment challenge.