Author: Franziska Walther

Cultivating Cultural Heritage and Sustainability : NCI/Bologna and Yangzhou Meeting on Green City Development

On May 26th, 2023, a productive working session to foster collaboration between NCI/Bologna and Yangzhou was conducted. The meeting provided a timely opportunity to discuss the progress made since the last gathering. Representatives from NCI/Bologna and Yangzhou presented updates on their respective efforts, discussed the plans for action towards the implementation of the joint Green Design Centre, and planned the...

Becoming the Gaming Industry Hub: Sisak Moslavina County and Chongqing Establish Cooperation for the Digital Economy

On May 19th, 2023, the IURC-China working session between delegates from Sisak Moslavina County and Chongqing was held for cooperation to enhance regional competitiveness through developing the gaming industry. Representatives from the Sisak – Moslavina County gave an overview of how the region achieved regeneration through the PISMO project and has become a video gaming hub of the Balkans. Sisak...

IURC-China Webinar: Empowering SMEs through Digital Skills & Talent Development

On May 5th, 2023, a constructive IURC-China cooperation webinar was held, bringing together pilot cities and regions from Region of Western Greece, Alentejo Region, Fuenlabrada, and Hangzhou, to address the current challenges and share good practices related to digital skills for SMEs. Presentations of the Good Practices Mr. CHEN Jian, the Deputy Director of the Cross-border E-commerce Pilot Zone Office in Hangzhou...

IURC Team Visited Alentejo Region

The IURC China team's study visit to the Alentejo region of Portugal provided a comprehensive understanding of the region's potential as an emerging hub for innovation and sustainable development. The visit showcased various projects, initiatives, and potential cooperation with Chinese cities in the areas of Vocational Education and Training Renewable Energy Green Port and Logistics: The Alentejo 2030 Digital Agenda,...

Cooperation between Stuttgart Urban Region and Taicang (Suzhou) on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and Productive City Development

On April 17th, 2023, the pilot cities of the IURC China - Stuttgart Urban Region and Taicang (Suzhou) - held a working session to discuss potential cooperation on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and productive city development, energy efficiency measures, and important cultural and business activities. The meeting was moderated by Ms. Wang Qian, the Team Leader of IURC China. Presentations Mr....

Fuenlabrada and Hangzhou Met for Cooperation in Digital Skills

On March 22, 2023, the representatives of Fuenlabrada and Hangzhou met online to discuss potential collaboration on e-commerce education and training for SMEs. The meeting was attended by the city representatives and delegates of the vocational training providers in both cities. The purpose of the meeting was to share experiences and ideas on supporting SMEs for digitalisation and internationalisation and...

IURC China Team Visited the Pilot City Fuenlabrada

On March 21 – 22, 2023, the IURC China team conducted a technical visit to Fuenlabrada (Spain), a municipality that has experienced a remarkable transformation in the past decades, with a population growth of 985% between 1975 to 2021. Fuenlabrada's success in urban planning, circular economy, and social integration has made it one of the best practice models in IURC...

Bari and Guangzhou Met to Explore Further Partnership and Cooperation

On March 14th, 2023, Bari (Italy) and Guangzhou Development District (China) held a working session to discuss potential cooperation opportunities in urban development and social innovation. The two cities have been twinned since 1986 and are firmly committed to strengthening this partnership within the framework of IURC The session brought together officials and experts from Bari and Guangzhou, who shared...

Valencia Region and Chengdu Explore Potential Areas of Cooperation in Energy, Digitalisation, and SMEs Incubation

On Feb. 28, 2023, representatives from Autonomous Region of Valencia (Valencian Institute of Business Competitiveness, IVACE) and stakeholders from Chengdu (Sichuan Energy Internet Research Institute, Tsinghua University, EIRI) met to discuss potential areas of cooperation in the field of energy, digitalisation and SMEs incubation During the meeting, both sides introduced themselves and shared information about their respective organizations. IVACE, as...

IURC-China Team Visited the Pilot City Taicang(Suzhou)

On Feb. 23-24th 2023, WANG Qian, the team leader of IURC China, together with DAI Guowen, IURC cluster manager in urban planning, visited Taicang (Suzhou). Taicang is known for its booming industrial sector and has been seeking to expand its cooperation with Germany. The city was recognised as the “Sino-German base for business cooperation" and “Sino-German demonstration zone for SME...