Cluj-Napoca hosted the third transnational meeting of URBAN ECHO from 13 to 15 October 2026, bringing together representatives of six European cities. The city is using the network to adapt Ghent’s approach to neighbourhood regeneration to the Iris neighbourhood. The aim is to bring existing initiatives and future interventions in Iris together in a shared development vision.

The network and its partners

URBAN ECHO is an URBACT IV network coordinated by Ghent and co-funded by the European Union. The meeting gathered representatives of Cluj-Napoca, Ghent, Düsseldorf, Las Gabias, Perugia and Pezinok. The starting point is a good practice from Ghent, which has been developing urban regeneration programmes for more than 20 years. These programmes rest on three elements:

  • collaboration between the administration and the community;
  • long-term planning;
  • solutions adapted to each neighbourhood.

What Cluj-Napoca plans for Iris

In the coming period, the city hall says it will focus on strengthening collaboration between its departments, specialists and residents. The purpose is to identify and test solutions that respond to the real challenges of the neighbourhood. The directions include improving the accessibility and connectivity of public spaces and strengthening social cohesion. The URBACT Local Group is expected to play an essential role, allowing the community to contribute actively to shaping and developing these initiatives. The stated objective is to move from individual interventions to integrated development, built together with residents and planned for the long term.

Other EU-funded neighbourhood work

The city hall also runs other European projects in residential areas. Under the European project URBREATH, a green space between apartment blocks was revitalised. On the bank of the Someș on Nădășel street, the city hall planted trees and carried out minimally invasive works, with urban furniture made from recyclable materials. On 19 September 2026 the city hall invited the community to a music show for children in this green space. More than 100 children attended the event. The city hall’s news list also includes „Toamna ne adună!”, a community event in the Timișului-Blajului area organised within URBREATH.