UrbCitizenPower – Uniting politics and society for urban transformation
UrbCitizenPower connects politics and society in order to transform cities through the ideas and engagement of their citizens. The project aims to actively involve the population in urban development, to empower them to take responsibility, and to participate in tackling key societal challenges.
Cities are increasingly confronted with complex ecological, social, and economic challenges. To effectively counteract negative trends in urban development, a “business-as-usual” approach is no longer sufficient — innovative, future-oriented strategies and solutions are needed.
UrbCitizenPower aims to actively promote on of the greatest potentials for local development: Collective innovative power of individuals. Thus, the project strengthens the connection between citizens and their city and encourages active participation in transformation processes. Residents are empowered and enabled to take responsibility for their local environment and to collaborate on solutions to key societal challenges.
The core ambition is to further develop regional and urban policy instruments. Six cities and one partner region are developing approaches to revise their strategies and guidelines for integrated urban development. Each city focuses on individual thematic priorities—such as green spaces, creativity, culture, or managing the utilization pressure on urban areas.
The UrbCitizenPower project promotes exchange and learning between European cities to develop innovative approaches to urban development. Besides interregional policy learning events, two thematic working groups are being conducted on the topics of “New European Bauhaus” and “Creativity and Public Space.” This is complemented by Urban Living Labs and explorative discovery tours with local stakeholders. The objective is to inspire the design of innovative strategies and policy measures through the exchange of diverse experiences and perspectives.
The anticipated outcomes include strengthen social cohesion, innovative projects, collaboratively developed approaches, and a higher acceptance of political decisions.
The partnership consists of Braga (PT), Groningen (NL), Kiel (DE), Guldborgsund (DK), Pori (FI) und Košice (SK). Expertise in the areas of citizen participation and social innovation is provided by the Region of Central Macedonia (GR) with its capital Thessaloniki, as well as by the Heinrich Böll Foundation (DE).
The project is co-financed by Interreg Europe and was approved in the second call. REM Consult has been commissioned by the Heinrich-Böll-Foundation Schleswig-Holstein to manage the project and finances, as well as to support communication activities. REM Consult has been supporting the partnership in these areas since March 2024.
