Community empowerment and trust-building are part of innovative urban planning and it leads to smarter European cities.
The Climate-Neutral (CN) Labs, initiated in cities like Dresden and Zaragoza, aim to transform urban spaces into energy-efficient havens through community collaboration. Residents engage in co-creating solutions like transitioning to green energy and renovating buildings.
Stefania Mascolo emphasises the importance of involving all stakeholders to meet local needs effectively. Projects like Torrelago's Cityfied demonstrate significant energy and carbon emission reductions alongside community empowerment. Meanwhile, initiatives like gamified learning in Trento and mobile apps in Tampere aim to change behaviors towards sustainability.
Despite challenges, these efforts offer valuable insights for urban planning and fostering greener lifestyles, highlighting the necessity of community involvement and innovative approaches.
