Between October 4-6, 2024, Bucharest became a hub of innovative ideas as it hosted the latest edition of UrbanLab for Green Cities. Held at EA – The Entrepreneurship Academy, this event brought together passionate individuals and experts in urbanism, technology, and community engagement, all working toward one goal: generating solutions that could make Sector 2 more sustainable and climate-friendly. The competition focused on three main areas: technology, urban design, and community inclusion, all aimed at driving positive change for a climate-neutral city.
A creative and collaborative process
UrbanLab for Green Cities is more than just a competition; it’s a complex design thinking process guided by skilled facilitators and structured resources. Over the two intensive days, participants were led by interdisciplinary facilitators Alexandru Glod and Diana Dobrin, along with the support of 13 dedicated mentors specializing in concept development and visual representation. Their guidance played a crucial role in helping participants shape their ideas into tangible solutions.
The mentors brought diverse expertise to the table—ranging from innovation and strategy to urbanism, architecture, and design. Particularly noteworthy were the contributions of Katherine Weir and Elida Hansen from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), who guided participants in transforming their concepts into actionable solutions.
This collaborative effort culminated in a pitching session where teams presented their projects to a panel of national and international experts.
An interdisciplinary jury offering in-depth feedback
The jury was made up of specialists in urban development, technology, and sustainability who provided detailed feedback to each team, ensuring they had the insights needed to refine their solutions. Jury members included Elena Tudose (Bucharest Sector 2 Municipality), Elena Simion (UEFISCDI & M100 Hub Romania), Annemie Wyckmans (NTNU), Cristiana Croitoru (Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest), Janette Verrijzer (Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Romania), and Marius Călin (X Architecture & Engineering). Their evaluation focused on key criteria such as originality, community impact, and project scalability.
The winning teams
The winning teams of UrbanLab for Green Cities Bucharest stood out with their innovative and sustainable proposals, showcasing both creativity and forward-thinking. The top teams were:
1st Place – GreenAct: Strategic planning for interstitial green spaces.
2nd Place – Nepot: A selective recycling center that supports the local economy.
3rd Place – Basarabia 98: An intelligent reward system for public waste collection.
These standout projects will advance to a three-month incubation program where they’ll receive top-tier mentorship and financial support, paving the way to transform their ideas into solid pilot projects ready for implementation.
Next Stop: Suceava!
UrbanLab for Green Cities continues its journey, with the next edition taking place in Suceava. We’re eager to see what innovative solutions will emerge next! Stay tuned and join the movement for smarter, greener cities. If you want to join the next edition in Suceava, follow the link: https://tinyurl.com/urbanlab-suceava-2024
UrbanLab for Green Cities: Open to All!
UrbanLab for Green Cities is a dedicated innovation lab focused on smart and climate-neutral cities. The event promotes entrepreneurial education, social innovation, and active community engagement, creating a collaborative space for citizens, community groups, and local businesses to develop sustainable solutions. But UrbanLab is, above all, about people and ideas. Whether you’re a student, activist, professional, or a passionate citizen, UrbanLab is the ideal platform to drive change. Join us in making cities greener and more sustainable!
For more details on how you can participate in other upcoming editions, visit our website or follow us on social media. Let’s work together to transform cities into greener, more sustainable places!
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The “Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities: Planning, Piloting, Inspiring” – EEA Partnership Bucharest District 2 x Trondheim” project is funded by EEA and Norwegian grants through the Bilateral Relations Fund and is implemented by UEFISCDI in partnership with UrbanizeHub, City Hall of Bucharest District 2, Bucharest Technical University of Constructions, Institute for Climate, Economic and Social Resilience, together with Norwegian partners Norwegian University of Science and Technology – NTNU, Trondheim City.
