Category: News from IURC

Indian Cities Progress Global Cooperation under IURC: PCMC and Gangtok Forge International Partnerships

Following their active participation at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 in Barcelona and continued city-to-city engagement under the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and Gangtok Municipal Corporation have strengthened international collaboration to advance sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-driven urban development. As part of their international engagement, PCMC deepened dialogue with representatives from the City of Leuven (Belgium) during a high-level visit to Pune...

Anci- LazioRome and Calgary Explore Citizen-Led Energy and Food Initiatives

From community gardens to renewable energy projects, Anci- LazioRome and Calgary are demonstrating how cities and regions can tackle climate, energy, and social challenges together. Anci- Lazio Rome (Italy) and Calgary (Canada) are proving that local solutions can have global impact. Through a two-year collaboration under the IURC North America (IURC-NA) programme, these cities exchanged knowledge on energy communities, community gardens, and inclusive urban planning, inspiring new projects and...

Rotterdam and MassDot to Shape the Future of Urban Micromobility

Making urban mobility safer, smarter, and more sustainable.  The City of Rotterdam (Netherlands) and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (USA) are collaborating through the International Urban and Regional Cooperation – North America (IURC-NA) programme to improve ​​micromobility. 🚲 From Rotterdam’s cycling streets to Boston’s innovative approach: Rotterdam brings decades of experience managing one of Europe’s most advanced active mobility networks, while Massachusetts pilots innovative state-level regulations...

IURC Webinar – EU Funding for Regions

Opportunities for possible pilot/follow-up actions On 17 December 2025, the International Urban and Regional Cooperation – Asia & Australasia (IURC-AA) programme hosted a follow-up training webinar on Horizon Europe, building on the discussions initiated during the October 2025 IURC webinar on EU research and innovation opportunities. The session, led by Thomas Jacob, Senior Advisor for Funding and Methodology at International...

IURC Referenced in European Commission’s “EU Agenda for Cities” Communication

The European Commission has released the Communication “An EU Agenda for Cities: Driving Growth and Prosperity”, presenting a comprehensive framework for sustainable and integrated urban development across Europe. The document outlines how the EU intends to support cities of all sizes in addressing shared challenges and preparing for long-term competitiveness, resilience and social well-being. In its section on international cooperation, the...

EU Commission’s Panorama Magazine Highlights IURC’s Global Impact

The European Commission’s flagship regional-policy magazine Panorama has featured the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme in its latest online edition. The article showcases how IURC connects cities and regions across continents to collaborate on sustainable urban development, innovation, and regional transformation. The Panorama feature highlights IURC’s growing network of more than 130 participating cities and regions worldwide and underscores the programme’s role...

IURC Country Leads from Australasia Present Phase II Progress

Professor Bruce Wilson and Dr Paul Dalziel, IURC Country Leads for Australia and New Zealand, spoke in early December at the 48th Annual Conference of the Australia and New Zealand Regional Science Association International, organised in collaboration with the Regional Studies Association. The two-day conference took place at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand. Regional Resilience and Smart...

Madrid and Zhengzhou Explore Collaboration on Circular Economy and Smart City Projects

On 28 November 2025, representatives from the City of Madrid and the City of Zhengzhou took part in a dedicated exchange organised by the IURC Asia & Australasia programme. The session explored opportunities for cooperation on circular economy solutions, smart city development, and environmental technologies, with the aim of establishing a structured working framework for future collaboration. Both sides shared...

Messina and Zhengzhou Explore Collaboration in Sustainable Tourism and Cultural Heritage

On 27 November 2025, the cities of Messina, Italy, and Zhengzhou, China, took part in an exchange organised within the framework of the EU-funded International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme. Moderated by Qian Wang from IURC Asia & Australasia, the session explored potential collaboration in sustainable tourism, cultural heritage preservation, and public event management, with a particular focus on...

IURC AA Cities Explore Inclusive Urban Regeneration and Affordable Housing Solutions in Deep Dive Session

On 27 October 2025, the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Asia & Australasia programme convened its third deep dive session under the Urban Regeneration & Social Cohesion cluster, bringing together cities from Europe and Asia-Australasia to exchange approaches on inclusive neighbourhood development, affordable housing, and innovative governance. Moderated by Hannah Paig from Hong Kong, the session highlighted six diverse...