Utrecht is one of the first cities in the Netherlands to develop a Reuse Centre (depot for raw materials) for storing, repairing and reusing of materials salvaged from public spaces. As many materials as possible are recycled, such as a discarded swing, a defective lamppost, or damaged bicycle racks. This initiative allows the municipality to give such materials a new life and it supports our goal of becoming fully circular by 2050, promoting sustainable material management. For this innovative project Utrecht collaborates with other European cities in an Interreg program. At the depot, it becomes visible on a daily basis how materials are preserved, costs are reduces and environmental gains are achieved.

Meeting point: Registration desk at Stadskantoor.

A bus will be provided by the organisers for participants to travel from the meeting point to the Reuse Centre.

Restoration of the medieval wharves area: a boat tour with the wharf master and city ecologist through the inner canals. 

Our 800-year-old wharves and canals in the city centre require a lot of maintenance. Here, the necessary maintenance of history and heritage needs to be combined with the task of making our city future proof. It is an area with a lot of different stakeholders and processes at play. Utrecht will invest half a billion in replacement and maintenance over the next 30 years. How do you tackle such a task? And how do we do this sustainably? A boat tour through the inner canals of the city will float you through the construction sites and a wharf master and city ecologist will tell the story of this special part of the city.  

Meeting point: Registration desk at Stadskantoor.

This tour will be conducted on foot and by boat.

Utrecht, ranking first place in the Copenhagenize Index 2025, constructs the city around cycling. Active mobility is key to Utrecht's vision of becoming a ’10-minute city’. Already renowned for its extensive network of bike lanes, cycling streets, and bike parking facilities, Utrecht continues to lead by example. Iconic projects such as the Dafne Schippers Bridge, connecting the city with new residential areas in the east, and the large-scale bike parking facilities at train stations, which support seamless bike and public transport travel, are just a few highlights worth exploring. Join us on this cycle tour to experience Utrecht’s transformation towards healthy urban living for all.

Meeting point: Registration desk at Stadskantoor.

This tour requires participants to have cycling experience.

Join us for a study visit to Plan Einstein. During this study visit we will introduce you to Utrecht’s famous Plan Einstein approach, which is an innovative social transformation approach towards refugee reception in connection with neighbourhood members. By developing inclusive activities and welcoming spaces Utrecht has managed to design spaces for meaningful encounters. This way (professional) networks are unlocked for all Plan Einstein participants. During this study visit we will also share our first experiences with transferring the Plan Einstein approach to Zagreb, Warsaw, Thessaloniki, Suceava and the Coimbra region through the URBACT Transnational Network programme.

Meeting point: Registration desk at Stadskantoor.

A bus will be provided by the organisers for participants to travel from the meeting point to Plan Einstein.

This walking tour will focus on smart mobility. Shared cars are becoming essential for Utrecht. They help us use our limited urban space more wisely by reducing the number of privately owned vehicles on our streets, which creates more space for greener streets, safer walking routes, better cycling paths, and healthier neighbourhoods. Furthermore, car sharing supports new housing developments where space isn’t used for large parking structures. Bidirectional shared electric cars strengthen this story even further, as they also support our energy system by storing renewable electricity when the sun is shining or the wind is strong, and giving power back to the grid when demand rises. This results in fewer energy grid problems, better use of clean energy, and less need for expensive upgrades. Together, shared and bidirectional cars help Utrecht grow into a cleaner, more efficient, and future‑ready city.

Meeting point: Registration desk at Stadskantoor.

Please be aware that this is a walking tour. We recommend that participants wear comfortable shoes and carry a bottle of water.

In Utrecht, there are more than 400 works of art in public spaces: in squares and parks, but also in places such as schools, libraries, district offices, and parking garages. Utrecht has a rich tradition in the field of art in public space. The belief that art makes a substantial contribution to the public space is widely shared across the city. Art makes the city distinctive for residents and visitors alike. For 70 years, Utrecht has commissioned artists to create artworks for the city, often involving local residents or users of a building or location in the process. In Utrecht, 1.5% of the construction budget for new buildings or renovations of public facilities is allocated to art. Since 1954, this so-called 1.5% scheme has resulted in many remarkable artworks; art that is visible and accessible to everyone. Join us on this walking tour as we explore various works of art in the Station area and hear the story behind them.

Meeting point: Registration desk at Stadskantoor.

Please be aware that this is a walking tour. We recommend that participants wear comfortable shoes and carry a bottle of water.

Utrecht and the surrounding area are full of surprises and hidden gems. A city walk is perfect for discovering the city’s secrets. Take in the city’s highlights on this walk! See the Dom Tower, the Oudegracht canal and its famous wharf cellars, the various churches that tell a thousand tales and the secret alleyways you would never have discovered without the help of our guide.

Meeting point: Registration desk at Stadskantoor.

Please be aware that this is a walking tour. We recommend that participants wear comfortable shoes and carry a bottle of water.

From experimenting with new models of housing, skills development, and guaranteed income, to designing integrated approaches that link social, health, and labour policies, local governments are showing that innovation can deliver fairness and dignity. This session will showcase pioneering city practices, connect them to the upcoming EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, and spark dialogue on how urban leadership can drive a Europe where no one is left behind.

As Europe prioritises competitiveness and strategic autonomy, cities are showing that climate action can unite these goals rather than compete with them. This session will explore how local innovation is keeping climate neutrality and resilience at the center, while fostering economic competitiveness. It will highlight how cities can hold Europe’s priorities together without compromising on their climate objectives, moving forward with citizens, local communities, and businesses. 

By June 2026, when the Annual Conference will take place, negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) will be well under way, shaping the EU’s financial priorities for the decade ahead. The choices made will determine how Europe invests in its green transition, social cohesion, digital transformation, and competitiveness. For cities, which are at the frontline of delivering on these priorities, the MFF is not just a budget, it is a question of capacity: will local governments have the resources and access they need to turn ambition into reality? During this session, we will assess how far negotiations have progressed, where cities’ needs have been recognised, and where gaps remain.

Seize this opportunity to discover the city of Amersfoort, named 2023 European City of the Year by the Academy of Urbanism. Amersfoort was awarded this title due to its forward-thinking ideas and quality of life for residents. The city originated in the 13th century at the point where a ford crossed the River Eem. It developed slowly through the Middle Ages; however, growth was stimulated when a miracle led to Amersfoort becoming a pilgrimage centre. Over the past fifty years, Amersfoort has grown and modernised enormously. Well-resourced forward planning and new infrastructure are in place, while the city has maintained its unique heritage and character. As the Academy put it: “The well-being and happiness of all citizens is clearly the focus, from moves to limit car access to the historic city centre, to the provision of diverse and good quality affordable homes.”

The trip will include a visit to the new sustainable and diverse urban district Amersfoort is developing, called ‘Langs Eem en Spoor’. It consists of five sub-areas, all locations with a rich industrial heritage. More than 5,000 new homes will be built here, and will include a wide range of types, sizes, and price categories of homes. In addition, a smaller share of new office space and (healthcare) facilities will be developed, combined with strong urban lifelines: good connections to existing schools, shops, and other amenities. All of this will be set within a green, varied, and lively public space.

Join this trip to the beautiful historical city of Amersfoort, only half an hour from Utrecht, and see how old & new come together.

Join a guided tour of the UNESCO world heritage monument Rietveld Schröder House. The Rietveld Schröder House (Dutch: Rietveld Schröderhuis) in Utrecht was built in 1924 by Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld. He designed the house in 1924 on commission from the unconventional young widow Truus Schröder, as a bold experiment in a radical new way of organising space. Mrs. Schröder lived in the house until her death in 1985. The house is now a museum open for visits, run by the Centraal Museum

A century after the construction of the house, it is still a source of inspiration for many architects. The Rietveld Schröder House is a highlight of modern architecture according to the ideas of the De Stijl art movement, of which acclaimed artists -such as Piet Mondriaan- were members. The residence has a unique design with horizontal and vertical surfaces and lines, and use of primary colours. The tour will take you through the history and the innovative design solutions that Rietveld and Schröder came up with.