The IURC Asia & Australasia (AA) is hosting an online kick-off event to introduce the region and its thematic cluster network to participating cities and regions. This event marks the beginning of the thematic clusters learning phase (matchmaking), which the IURC AA project will host through a series of online webinars connecting EU and non-EU cities and regions to collaborate on shared urban and regional challenges.

This event will help participants gain a better understanding of the programme’s new approach, discover which EU and non-EU cities and regions are joining and what their thematic priorities are, and begin identifying common interests that can lead to deeper cooperation with peers. The sessions will include breakout discussions for the thematic clusters (7 for cities and 4 for regions), offering a space to present local challenges, share best practices, and explore pilot project ideas.

The event is only open for selected IURC pilot cities and regions from the EU, Asia and Australasia. The registration link has been sent to the respective focal points. For any questions, please contact info@iurc.eu.

The Future of the Curb is Digital – Join Our IURC NA Webinar

The curbside may seem like just the edge of the sidewalk, but it has become one of the most contested and opportunity rich spaces in our cities. Once mainly for parking, today it is the frontline for:

·         E-commerce deliveries

·         Public transport and cycling infrastructure

·         Outdoor dining and social life

·         Climate resilience through green infrastructure

With demand growing and traditional static management no longer enough, cities across the EU, USA, and Canada are turning to digital tools to rethink how the curb is used. Real-time data, flexible regulations, and smart curbside strategies are opening the door to more sustainable, efficient, and people-friendly urban spaces.

In the IURC North America webinar “Rethinking the Curbside: Digital Solutions for Sustainable Cities” participants will discover:

·         The latest innovations in digital curbside management

·         Madrid’s Urban Freight Distribution Strategy as a real-world case study

·         The Open Mobility Foundation’s Curb Data Specification tool, shaping global standards

·         A roundtable with San Francisco, Vitoria-Gasteiz, and St. John’s, sharing their challenges and solutions

Keynote Speakers

·         Andrew Glass Hastings, Executive Director, Open Mobility Foundation (USA)

·         Lola Ortiz, Director General for Mobility Planning & Infrastructure, City of Madrid (Spain)

This webinar is part of the IURC North America Thematic Network on Sustainable Urban Mobility and Transport

Around the world, cities are increasingly challenged by extreme weather and urban flooding. Innovative Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) such as rain gardens, green roofs, bio-retention swales, and blue-green infrastructure are proving to be low-energy, climate-resilient approaches that not only reduce flood risks but also deliver multiple social, environmental, and community benefits.

In this IURC NA webinar on NbS, we will explore how leading cities are putting innovation into practice:

• How mandated requirements are being implemented at scale in large cities.
• How other cities are experimenting with new techniques and engaging citizens to reshape urban practices.

This webinar is your opportunity to:

• Explore U.S. innovations in stormwater management: Real-world implementation of green infrastructure solutions, shared by Kate England – Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Environment (USA).
• Gain insights from Europe: How Scandinavian cities—highlighting Tampere, Finland—are advancing NbS through experimentation and adaptation, presented by Anna Vilhula – Project Manager, City Blues Project, City of Tampere (Finland).
• Discover a Canadian perspective: How approaches are being transferred and tailored to local contexts, with practical lessons from Brier Reid – Water Resources Engineer, City of Calgary (Canada).
• Engage directly with our speakers in an interactive Q&A to discuss challenges, solutions, and lessons learned.
• Connect with global resources: Explore peer networks, relevant standards, and policy frameworks shaping NbS adoption across Europe and internationally.

Don’t miss this chance to join global peers and be part of the shift toward sustainable, climate-resilient cities!