Newsletter Connective Cities No. 85, 6-2025
Dear readers,
This issue covers a variety of topics, all tied together by one common thread: effective communication among all stakeholders as the key to success.
Over two years, our ‘Heat in the City’ deep dive has not only sparked innovative project ideas in participating municipalities, but also fostered stronger cooperation among local institutions, strengthening community ties and ownership.
Together with experts from various backgrounds, we have started working on solutions to promote sustainable and affordable housing in cities through the lens of principles of circular construction and housing finance.
We also reflect on experiences in Lebanon and Germany regarding how digitalisation can enhance waste management.
‘Making My School More Beautiful’ is an inspiring initiative from Yarmouk al-Jadida, Jordan. Since five women joined the local council, the project has improved the school environment through close collaboration with communities, schools, and mothers—while also fostering civic awareness and encouraging young women’s active participation.
For our workshop series on ‘Risk-informed urban development in West Africa and the ECOWAS region’, the cities are now focusing on how they can ensure project ideas developed are inclusive and take a whole-of-society approach where no one is left behind.
Finally, we would also like to invite you to our next exchange of experiences on 17 July 2025 at 13:30: ‘Urban Labs – Tried and Trusted’ – what can they contribute to sustainable urban development?
We wish you inspiring reading
Your Connective Cities Team
Review
International municipal cooperation to mitigate heat in cities
Insights of the summary and outlook event of Connective Cities Deep Dive “Heat in the City”
On 12 June 2025, the working group of the Deep Dive “Heat in the City” gathered online to wrap up their two years long collaboration on the topic of heat islands in the cities. Each city presented their pilot projects in depth to an audience of experts from Germany and the Global South.
Towards Affordable and Sustainable Housing
Start of the Connective Cities Online Exchange on 28 May 2025 | Deep-Dive Tracks Launch: 17 July 2025
Municipalities in Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe are faced with the task of creating affordable and sustainable housing. In response to these overlapping challenges, Connective Cities launched a thematic dialog on 28 May 2025, bringing together experts and practitioners from Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe. | Next session: July 17, 2025
The state of digitalisation in waste management
Experiences from Germany and Lebanon
Topics discussed at the online ad hoc event ‘Waste Management and Digitalisation’ on 28 May 2025 included using playful elements to increase recycling rates, using artificial intelligence to identify and separate types of plastic, expanding producer responsibility, and setting up financing models for the circular economy.
Insights
Empowering Communities: The Ripple Effect of Women’s Leadership
Al Yarmouk Al Jadida Municipality, Jordan
The women-led initiative ‘Making My School More Beautiful’ is a successful model for promoting democracy and empowering girls through school parliaments. By working closely with local communities, schools and mothers, the project has not only improved the school environment, but also promoted civic awareness and active participation among young women.
Outlook
Risk informed urban development in Western Africa and the ECOWAS region
Workshop 2 of the three-part event series from 2 to 4 July 2025 in Accra, Ghana
Building on the foundation laid in Lomé in February, the Accra workshop will continue the technical discussions to develop project ideas, focusing particularly on inclusion and participatory risk analysis. This will ensure a whole-of-society approach where no one is left behind.
Call for participants: Urban Labs – Tried and Trusted
Discussion and exchange of experiences from different perspectives on 17 July 2025 from 13:30 to 15:30 CEST
Urban labs have established themselves worldwide as a valuable tool for developing innovative solutions to complex urban challenges in collaboration with various stakeholders. However, the implementation of urban labs and the experiences gained from them differ significantly from city to city. This event brings together practitioners from South East Europe and Germany to explore the transformative role of urban labs in creating sustainable, resilient cities.
Categories: