David Zeller – International Urban and Regional Cooperation

IURC Advance Cooperation through the International Human Smart Living Lab Network

Partners from Europe, Australia and New Zealand came together in Granada Province and Coimbra from 28 September to 2 October 2026 for an IURC Advanced Cooperation Mission focused on how living labs can support territorial development, citizen participation, innovation and more sustainable, people-centred communities. The mission brought together partners from the International Human Smart Living Lab Network, formed within the framework...

From Data to Action: Hamburg, Barcelona Metropolitan Region and Christchurch Advance Urban Data Cooperation

From 17–18 September 2026, IURC cities and regions participating in Community of Practice 9 (Data-driven City & Digital Governance) came together in Hamburg. Delegations from Christchurch and the Barcelona Metropolitan Region joined representatives from Hamburg’s State Agency for Geoinformation and Surveying, several city ministries, the Senate Chancellery, the District of Hamburg-Altona and HafenCity University Hamburg. Through presentations, workshops and in-depth...

IURC Study Visit to Jeju: Charting a Path to Scale Hydrogen Demand Together

The study visit by the IURC Community of Practice 3 (Hydrogen Market & Industry) to Jeju, Republic of Korea, took place from 14 to 17 September 2026, bringing together regional delegations from Île-de-France, Catalonia, Jeju, Osaka, Christchurch, and Taranaki for their first on-site programme since the community of practice launched in January 2026. Hosted by the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province...

IURC Climate Adaptation Cooperation Moves from Exchange to Action in Valencia Region

How can cities and regions prepare for increasingly severe floods and heatwaves while creating greener, healthier and more liveable urban environments? This is the central question bringing together cities and climate experts from Kawasaki (Japan), Christchurch (New zealand), Sofia (Bulgaria), Pimpri-Chinchwad (India), Hamburg (Germany) and Kumanovo (North Macedonia) in Valencia (Spain) this week as part of the EU-funded International Urban...

Catalonia and Jeju Deepen Cooperation on Green Hydrogen and Clean Energy Innovation

Catalonia and Jeju strengthened their cooperation on green hydrogen, clean mobility and industrial decarbonisation during a special session at the Green Hydrogen Global Forum, building on international collaboration supported through the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme. The discussions highlighted the strong alignment between Catalonia and Jeju as both regions pursue ambitious climate and clean-energy goals. Jeju is targeting...

Strategy Driving Digitalisation, Not the Other Way Around

A recurring message during Melbourne’s IURC study visit to Tampere has been clear: digitalisation should support city strategy, not become an end in itself. In Tampere, that means using data and digital tools to improve quality of life while advancing climate adaptation and biodiversity goals. The City of Tampere has developed a strong reputation for the progress it has made...

Melbourne and Tampere Explore How AI Can Work for People in the City

How can cities ensure that digitalisation serves people rather than becoming an end in itself? During Melbourne’s study visit to Tampere, representatives from the two cities explored this question through discussions on artificial intelligence, the “Citiverse” and the governance of increasingly digital urban environments. The City of Tampere has been addressing this challenge for more than a decade, developing approaches...

Digital Resources Help Citizens Participate in Urban Planning

Melbourne and Tampere are continuing their exchange through IURC Community of Practice (CoP) 10, exploring how data, digital tools and artificial intelligence can support more effective citizen participation and sustainable urban development. Building on their discussions during Melbourne’s study visit to Tampere, representatives from the two cities have explored in greater depth how digital resources can help residents engage with...

Exploring How Digitalisation Can Support Sustainable Urban Development

Representatives from Melbourne, Australia, travelled to Tampere, Finland, for their first IURC study visit, exploring how digital tools can support sustainable urban development, strengthen citizen participation and contribute to major urban regeneration projects. Melbourne representatives visited Tampere this week to gain a deeper understanding of the Finnish city’s approach to sustainable urban development, with particular attention to its creative and...

IURC Highlights the Role of City-to-City Partnerships in Disaster Recovery

What is the best way for city-to-city partnerships to contribute to humanitarian and recovery efforts after a city experiences a major natural or human-made disaster? This was the question at the heart of a panel discussion at the Global Cities New Zealand conference, hosted by Christchurch City on 4 September 2026. The date held particular significance, marking the sixteenth anniversary...

Author: indy