DistantNews
Support us
European university and city leaders meet in Zagreb to discuss future of post-industrial cities
๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Culture & Society

European university and city leaders meet in Zagreb to discuss future of post-industrial cities

From Veฤernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Representatives from 10 European universities and cities gathered in Zagreb for a forum on the future of post-industrial cities.
  • The forum, organized by the City of Zagreb and the University of Zagreb within the UNIC alliance, focused on sustainable development, housing, mobility, climate resilience, and digital transformation.
  • University and city leaders emphasized the need for collaboration to address shared challenges and shape the future of post-industrial Europe.

Leaders from 10 European universities and cities convened in Zagreb for a forum focused on shaping the future of post-industrial urban environments. The event, jointly organized by the City of Zagreb and the University of Zagreb as part of the UNIC alliance, brought together key stakeholders to discuss pressing urban challenges.

The future of Europe will be shaped precisely in the cities, where people live, work, and learn.

โ€” Stjepan Lakuลกiฤ‡Rector of the University of Zagreb, emphasizing the importance of cities in Europe's future.

The forum's central theme revolved around how cities, universities, and other actors can collaboratively tackle issues such as sustainable development, affordable housing, urban mobility, climate resilience, and digital transformation. Participants included university rectors, city mayors, representatives from EU institutions, and diplomats from countries involved in the UNIC alliance.

Cities and universities must jointly create the future of post-industrial Europe through cooperation on topics related to the challenges faced by cities where universities operate, from urban resilience, digitalization and transport infrastructure, to public health, housing, sustainability and climate applications.

โ€” Stjepan Lakuลกiฤ‡Highlighting the need for integrated university-city collaboration on various urban challenges.

University of Zagreb Rector Stjepan Lakuลกiฤ‡ highlighted the critical role of cities in Europe's future, emphasizing the necessity of strong collaboration between universities and municipalities. "Cities and universities must jointly create the future of post-industrial Europe through cooperation on topics related to the challenges faced by cities where universities operate," he stated, noting the need for integration across urban resilience, digitalization, infrastructure, public health, housing, sustainability, and climate applications.

The university of the future cannot operate separately from society. It must be an integral part of it.

โ€” Stjepan Lakuลกiฤ‡Stressing the need for universities to be embedded within their communities.

Semiha DenktaลŸ, the main coordinator of the UNIC alliance from Erasmus University Rotterdam, described the forum as unique, given the rarity of such gatherings between mayors and university leaders. She stressed the urgency of collaboration, stating, "The world is changing rapidly, citizens need solutions, and cooperation can no longer wait. Cities and universities need each other."

The world is changing rapidly, citizens need solutions, and cooperation can no longer wait. Cities and universities need each other.

โ€” Semiha DenktaลŸMain coordinator of the UNIC alliance, emphasizing the urgency of collaboration.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog