Innovative Strategies for Sustainable Cities: Insights from the UERA Conference in Rome

From February 26 to 28, 2025, Rome hosted the Research Alliances for Climate-Neutral, Sustainable, and Equitable Urban Communities conference, a key event organized by the National Research Council (CNR-IMAA), ENEA, and the Urban Europe Research Alliance (UERA).

The conference brought together leading voices from academia, government, industry, and civil society, all focused on the shared goal of making cities more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive. Through a series of workshops, panel discussions, and real-world case studies, participants explored successful urban development models, innovative technologies, and strategies for climate adaptation and decarbonization.

As a proud participant, ISINNOVA took part in these discussions, with Giorgia Galvini delivering an insightful presentation on how sustainable urban mobility can integrate with energy efficiency and urban regeneration to foster healthier, more livable cities.

Key takeaways from the UERA Conference

Over two days, the event covered critical themes shaping the future of European cities. Here are some of the most important insights.

1. The role of energy and digital transitions in urban sustainability

The conference focused on how cities can combine energy and digital innovation to accelerate sustainable development. Discussions highlighted three key areas:

  • Technology: The adoption of smart city solutions, such as intelligent street lighting, digitalized schools, and energy-sharing communities, is helping cities enhance resilience and mitigate climate-related risks.
  • Governance: A case study on Rome showcased how local governments are implementing climate-focused policies to support ecological transition.
  • Communication: Experts stressed the importance of sharing knowledge from European and global sustainability projects to inspire widespread adoption of best practices.

2. EU Mission 100: Transforming cities into innovation hubs

The EU Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission is an ambitious initiative aimed at turning cities into testbeds for climate-friendly innovation. Italy is playing a key role in this mission, with targeted efforts in:

  • Green buildings
  • Sustainable transportation
  • Eco-friendly agriculture
  • Resilient infrastructure

One of the most innovative approaches discussed was the “what-if” model, which utilizes digital twin technology to simulate different urban scenarios before implementing new policies. This data-driven approach is helping cities develop a European-wide framework for climate-neutral urban development, embracing the principle “Think globally, act locally.”

3. Best practices for climate adaptation from leading European cities

Another major theme of the conference was climate adaptation, with an emphasis on collaboration between businesses, policymakers, and civil society. Several European cities shared how they are tackling climate challenges with innovative solutions:

  • Berlin: Adopting the sponge city model, which enhances urban water management to reduce flooding risks.
  • Paris: Implementing urban restoration projects to mitigate heat waves and improve city livability.
  • Barcelona: Reducing energy consumption in transportation by investing in sustainable mobility solutions.

4. The Covenant of Mayors: A united front for climate and energy

The Covenant of Mayors is a growing global network of  cities working together to advance climate action, backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

The initiative focuses on three core priorities:

  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions (climate mitigation).
  • Strengthening cities’ ability to withstand climate impacts (climate adaptation).
  • Developing forward-thinking sustainability policies at the local level.

The program is supported by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM), which provide cities with data collection tools, policy evaluation resources, and technical expertise.

5. Overcoming barriers to Net Zero Cities

The Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) introduced its Net Zero City Platform, a tool designed to support cities in their transition toward carbon neutrality. However, the presentation also highlighted several challenges that need urgent attention:

  • Lack of awareness: Many cities are unfamiliar with existing European policies that could help them transition to greener models.
  • Urban regeneration gaps: More cohesive, long-term urban redevelopment plans are needed.
  • Insufficient investment in research and innovation: Funding remains a major obstacle to achieving urban sustainability goals.

ISINNOVA joins UERA: Expanding our role in sustainable urban research

On the third day of the conference, the UERA General Assembly took place, welcoming new institutions into the growing research alliance. We are thrilled to announce that ISINNOVA has officially joined UERA, marking an exciting new chapter in our commitment to urban sustainability.

For over 50 years, ISINNOVA has been a leader in European research and innovation. By becoming a UERA member, we gain the opportunity to collaborate with top-tier urban research institutions across Europe, helping to shape the future of sustainable and climate-resilient cities.

“We are honored to be part of UERA. This recognition reinforces our dedication to sustainable urban development through research, innovation, and international collaboration. We extend our sincere gratitude to all UERA members for their trust, and we are eager to embark on this exciting journey together.” – Stefano Proietti, Senior Researcher at ISINNOVA.

What is UERA, and why is it important?

The Urban Europe Research Alliance (UERA) is a flagship initiative of JPI Urban Europe, created to strengthen partnerships between research institutions and advance urban sustainability. Today, UERA unites approximately 60 research organizations from 20 European countries.

UERA’s mission and goals

  • Establishing a shared vision for urban research, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Preventing research fragmentation by optimizing resources and fostering collaboration.
  • Providing access to key infrastructures and data, including living labs, urban observatories, and digital databases.
  • Hosting conferences and workshops to connect researchers with policymakers.
  • Encouraging international research exchanges to enhance collaboration.

UERA’s role in shaping European urban policy

UERA plays an active role in defining European urban research priorities through its contributions to the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) of JPI Urban Europe. Through this network, ISINNOVA will have the opportunity to:

  • Work alongside leading experts in sustainable urban planning.
  • Participate in cross-border research projects focused on mobility, energy, circular economy, and urban governance.
  • Help develop new policies and strategies to drive Europe’s ecological transition.

Cities at the heart of the Climate Agenda

The UERA Conference reaffirmed that cities are at the forefront of climate action and urban sustainability. With urban areas accounting for most global emissions and housing a growing percentage of the population, embedding resilience, equity, and sustainability into urban planning is more urgent than ever.

Programs like Mission 100 Climate-Neutral Cities, the Covenant of Mayors, and the Net Zero City Platform demonstrate that cities can serve as leaders in climate innovation, setting an example for the rest of the world.