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Smart Urban Initiatives & Capabilities

Thursday 19.3

15:15 16:30

Art Hall

City pitches, best practices and dialogue on smart, sustainable transition in mid-sized explorative cities

This session brings together mid-sized European cities Águeda, Guimarães and Mechelen to explore how concrete urban initiatives and local capabilities can accelerate sustainable transition. Through short case examples, city pitches and interactive dialogue, the session highlights practical, place-based solutions, collaborative governance and experimentation that support climate neutrality and resilient urban development. The focus is on shared challenges, transferable practices and the role of cities as active drivers of systemic change.

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Smart Urban Initiatives & Capabilities

Session moderator

Ed Thorpe

European Urban Development Expert (EUI & URBACT)

Speakers

Ighor Van de Vyver

Policy Advisor, Climate Team, City of Mechelen

Isabel Loureiro

Board of the Guimarães 26 – European Green Capital

Célia Laranjeira

Head of Office, Sustainability, Tourism and Climate Action Division, City of Águeda (European Green Leaf 2026)

Taina Tukiainen

Mission Board Member of EU Climate Adaptation & EU Climate Pact, Research Director at University of Vaasa

Organized by

Suvi Aho

Strategy manager

City of Vaasa