Author: indy

Connecting Bikes and Buses: Stuttgart – Massachusetts Mobility Exchange

See how two regions are making bicycles an integral part of public transit. Since 2022, the region of Stuttgart (VRS) and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) have collaborated under the IURC North America Programme to improve multimodal travel, leisure access, and transport equity. The region of Stuttgart shared its Fahrrad2Go programme, which equips buses with bike racks and trailers,...

Data for Cities: Hamburg – Toronto Urban Data Exchange

Discover how two cities are transforming urban data into smart, open solutions. The city of Hamburg (Germany) and the city of Toronto (Canada) joined forces under the IURC North America Programme to share strategies for automating and standardizing urban data. The city of Hamburg introduced its Urban Data Platform (UDP_HH), integrating datasets across agencies while transitioning to open-source solutions. Toronto...

Reimagining Urban Parks: Nanaimo – Pavlos Melas Exchange

Discover how two cities are turning green spaces into engines for community wellbeing. The city of Nanaimo (Canada) and the municipality of Pavlos Melas (Greece) joined forces under the IURC North America Programme to explore innovative park management. Over months of study visits and exchanges, the cities examined how parks can support healthier, more connected communities and foster shared responsibility....

Making Circular Economy Real: Dublin – San Francisco Exchange

Learn how two water cities are turning circular economy strategies into action. The city of Dublin (Ireland) and the city of San Francisco (USA) collaborated under the IURC North America Programme to integrate circular economy into climate action over 18 months. The city of Dublin focused on linking circular economy to culture and local business opportunities, launching Connected Circular Economy...

Rethinking the Curbside Digital Solutions for Sustainable Cities 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKoTytG5kk8 Watch the insightful Curbside Management webinar on YouTube. As part of the IURC North America programme, this webinar gathered experts and city practitioners from Europe, the US, and Canada to explore how digital tools can transform curbside management for more sustainable, efficient, and inclusive cities. The curbside has become one of the most contested urban spaces. Pressures are mounting from: E-commerce logistics: exponential delivery growth (+36% delivery vehicles...

Mitigating Urban Floods with Nature-based Solutions

https://youtu.be/Q5ddsgR5Po0 Watch the insightful webinar on YouTube. As part of the International Urban & Regional Cooperation North America programme, this webinar marked the first session of the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Thematic Network, bringing together cities from the EU, Canada, and the USA to share innovative approaches for managing urban flooding risks. The session explored how green and blue infrastructure can reduce stormwater impacts, improve...

Advancing Climate-Resilient Urban Mobility: IURC-NA Thematic Networking Event in Boston

We are proud to highlight key moments from the IURC North America Thematic Networking Event on Sustainable Urban Mobility & Transport (SUMT), held in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfrvJQbvB9s 🎥 Watch the event recap video below to see how cities are working together to build climate resilient transport systems.   This impactful two-day event brought together over 20...

Mitigating Urban Flood Risks Through Nature-based Solutions

Urban resilience starts with water. As extreme weather and urban expansion increase flood risks, cities worldwide are turning to Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to build smarter, more adaptive urban landscapes. NbS solutions  integrate ecosystems into urban planning to manage water sustainably. They reduce surface runoff, enhance groundwater recharge, improve water quality, and strengthen community resilience all while providing co-benefits like biodiversity, green space,...

Food Waste Reduction: Local Actions & Education

IFood waste remains one of the most pressing sustainability challenges of our time — with over 1 billion tonnes of food lost or wasted annually, resulting in a global loss of USD 1 trillion and massive environmental consequences, including unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions, water and land use, and growing food insecurity. This new Best Practice highlights how local governments are uniquely positioned to drive impactful...

Chicago ́s open data portal: A gateaway to smarter city planning

In an era of rapid digital transformation, cities are stepping into the spotlight as active shapers of innovation, transparency, and citizen engagement. One of the most compelling examples of this shift is Chicago’s Open Data Portal, a pioneering platform that is redefining how local governments leverage data to deliver smarter, more inclusive, and more responsive urban planning. Launched in 2012, Chicago’s...