The approach uses urban planning and design as a vehicle to create better connected, more compact, net-zero neighbourhoods in the city pilots – i.e. neighbourhoods that promote liveability and, through designing with intent, promote mitigation action.

UP2030 proposes that cities should themselves be at the centre of the innovation approach to drive transformative change. The project develops the 5UP methodological framework that supports cities in: (i) UP-dating those policies, codes, regulations that need to be left behind to make room for new vision; (ii) UP-skilling through building the capacities of the entire city stakeholder ecosystem that shall deliver action; (iii) UP-grading through the development of solution prototypes (digital and physical) at selected neighbourhoods; (iv) UP-scaling to achieve city-wide impact by shaping the enabling governance arrangements and matching project portfolios to financial resources, and (v) UP-taking, by engaging with the Mission and sharing best practices across the European cities.

Inclusive participation is key throughout the project's full cycle of activities so that real needs of communities are reflected in the city-specific visions, and co-designed interventions maximize delivery of co-benefits. As such, UP2030 will have a measuring positive impact on spatial justice in the pilots, and give the opportunity to citizens to participate in the transition by becoming agents of change themselves through their sustainable behavioural shifts.

The kick-off meeting took place in 1^st and 2^nd February 2023, Thessaloniki, Greece.

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