IRISH INTEREST IN THE URBACT SUMMER UNIVERSITY IN ROTTERDAM

Alongside staff from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, a number of staff from Irish local authorities who successfully bid to participate in Urbact III Action Planning Networks (APN)  (Limerick City and County Council (part of the TECHTOWN APN),   Dublin City Council Local authority SMARTImpact, Longford County Council (MAPS), Kildare County Council and Urban Mode (CITY CENTRE DOCTOR)) attended URBACT’s SUMMER UNIVERSITY  in Rotterdam from August 24^th to 26^th 2016.

Participants were offered intensive training in the URBACT Method. Using  a fictional city called Avalon as their laboratory, they were asked to prepare integrated action plans to address 5 key urban challenges -  collaborative entrepreneurship, jobs and skills, liveable neighbourhoods, sustainable transitions and community cohesion. They learned how to define problems and set concrete objectives, how to map and engage key stakeholders, how to map assets, how to draw down best practice from other cities, how to develop a results evaluation framework and to gather evidence of effectiveness, and how to pitch their plans to key stakeholders. The Summer University also treated participants to lively talks, off site visits to inspiring urban venues in Rotterdam, and networking opportunities.

Participants were very enthusiastic about the practical learning experience offered by the Summer University. It gave URBACT cities the chance to gain a solid understanding of the URBACT method, what is expected of them at city level, and become better equipped to deliver the best results for their city during and beyond the lifespan of their networks.

Videos of the University can be found at : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adw0GBPNUsI&list=PLi7JLNLCQuALRgxYJL2AaqXTvD9p9Wp3r