All Things Urban

Cities are under growing pressure to cut emissions, respond to housing shortages, and rethink how we build and rebuild. More and more, the question is not what to construct next, but what we already have and how we choose to work with it. Brussels offers a concrete example of how adaptive reuse can move from ambition to practice when policy, design, and implementation begin to align.

The year 2025 marks a significant milestone in how we approach design and planning, with several emerging trends defining the future of our built environments.

The 2025 calendar is packed with pivotal events that promise to shape the future of architecture and urbanism. Carefully curated by All Things Urban, these gatherings are not just opportunities to witness innovation; they are platforms for meaningful professional growth, networking, and thought leadership in the fields of architecture and urban planning.

As urban development continues to evolve, it is crucial to gain insights from those at the forefront of these changes. In the lead up to the world cycling summit Velo-city 2023 in Leipzig, All Things Urban sits down with Thomas Dienberg, the city's Deputy Mayor of Urban Development and Construction. With two decades of experience in urban planning, Dienberg discusses global city development trends, Leipzig's role in the green transition, and the essential skills for future urban developers. His unique perspective brings to light the challenges and triumphs of city-level action, and the potential of strategic urban planning for a sustainable future.

Redesigning urban areas to favor active mobility remains a fool-proof way to reduce emissions and improve everyone’s well-being in urban areas worldwide. In the third article, we check out three different approaches to how to push for more cycling – in Copenhagen, Izmir and Malta. Urban Mobility Explained (UMX), the new YouTube channel powered by EIT Urban Mobility, is bringing to you short and easy-to-follow videos that showcase cutting-edge concepts in urban mobility throughout Europe and the world. All Things Urban partnered up with UMX for this article series, for you to broaden your horizon in urban mobility best practices from Europe and around the world.

Technological innovations are dramatically changing how we will be moving through our cities in the future. Urban Mobility Explained (UMX), the new YouTube channel powered by EIT Urban Mobility, provides short and easy-to-follow videos that showcase cutting-edge practices and concepts in urban mobility throughout Europe and the world. All Things Urban partnered up with UMX, so you can tap into their state-of-the-art expertise and future-proof your career in urban mobility. This article covers three technological trends – electric mobility, data spaces and autonomous driving – that every urban practitioner needs to know to stay ahead of the curve.

One of today’s biggest challenges for cities around the globe is providing safe, accessible and sustainable urban transport for their citizens. Urban Mobility Explained (UMX), the new YouTube channel powered by EIT Urban Mobility, is providing short and easy-to-follow videos that showcase cutting-edge practices and concepts in urban mobility throughout Europe and the world. All Things Urban partnered up with UMX for this article series, so you can get inspired, learn and implement their insights to make our cities better places. This first piece introduces the topic of gender equality in urban mobility planning and what practical steps professionals can take to design cities for all.

Community is the key to most urban planning projects. But how to engage with citizens to make sure their voices are heard and all involved parties – planners, clients, residents – are happy? This article is sponsored by Maptionnaire— a community engagement solution for comprehensive collection, analysis, and reporting of citizens' feedback and ideas for developing urban environments. Maarit Kahila and Anna Broberg, both holding a PhD in urban planning, founded Maptionnaire in 2011, which has since been used in over 40 countries. Maptionnaire believes that successful, resilient, and inclusive planning is achieved only together with residents – because they are the ones who have unique knowledge about their living environments. In this piece, Maarit and Anna explain why community engagement is essential and how Maptionnaire can help you navigate the key tools of efficient community engagement.

One of our community members, journalist and blogger Michal Manor, researched how Eindhoven - a smart and innovative city - is coping with the COVID-19 crisis. Michal believes that Eindhoven is a tolerant city, promoting the values of cooperation and togetherness, and she would like to share her insightful findings of the city's solutions to the ongoing pandemic.