Participatory approach for sustainable urban development: how Italian cities are implementing NUA through URBACT

The event will present the projects carried out by Italian and European cities in the framework of the URBACT programme, highlighting original elements such as the participation of local stakeholders, multilevel governance and integrated action plans which may be replicable in other areas of the world as powerful tools to implement New Urban Agenda and to reinforce national urban policies.

While national governments are updating their urban policies according to the themes provided by the global framework of the New Urban Agenda, many cities are already putting in practice its principles thanks to the participation to national and regional initiatives which are highlighting the main topics and strands of action for the future decades.

Urban regeneration and reuse of vacant spaces and structures, integrated governance and innovative use of ICT, social innovation and inclusion of minority groups are some of the topics faced by Italian and European cities working in networks such as the ones promoted by the Urbact Programme and, at the same time, promoting the active participation of stakeholders to the definition of action plans and innovative policies. This model, which is acting as driver and multiplier of innovation in many urban contexts in Europe, could be effectively replicated in other areas of the world, constituting a part of national urban policies and a decisive aspect to improve local governance of urban challenges through an extensive model of participation and multilevel governance.