European cities are in a constant state of evolution, which is precisely why programmes like URBACT are so valuable: they identify successful urban practices, promote them, and actively support their transfer between cities across Europe.
Urbact writes:
However, city managers and urban development professionals need not navigate this process alone. We simply need to lift our gaze beyond the borders of our own cities and recognise the wealth of existing solutions available to us. The problem is that we often simply don’t know about them – an ironic reality in this so-called ‘age of information’. Over the past seven years, I have been actively involved in several such initiatives – leading two good practice transfer processes and testing various transfer approaches and tools. Lessons learned inspired this article, in which I share my experience of the transfer process within the context of URBACT’s call for Transfer Networks.
Transfer is not a Copy-Paste operation
Many times, we get mesmerised by good practice stories and solutions developed by other cities, leading us to believe that they are not relevant or implementable in our own cities. Too often, we conclude: ‘Nah, this can’t be done in our city!’. However, arising urban issues such as urban sprawl, poor living conditions, the consequences of climate change, new technologies, etc., all serve as crucial motivators, compelling us to change and mobilise our citizens to act. With 116 successful URBACT Good Practices already recognised, it becomes clear that we often know what to do, but not how to do it. I hear you wondering: ‘If another city already has a working solution, that is perfect. I can simply copy-paste it to my city, right!? Why should I take two years and even bother with a full transfer process?’
As usual, things are not that simple. An ideal transfer process involves close, constructive, and proactive collaboration between the successful urban practice owner and the transfer city, combining their efforts towards a common goal – successful transfer. Furthermore, any successful outcomes can be used to further enhance the original solution, creating a win-win situation that forms the foundation of a successful partnership.
Now that we know why, let’s dive-in and learn how to implement the three crucial transfer process steps.
- Step 1: Understanding the good practice
- Step 2: Adapting the good practice to your own needs
- Step 3: Reusing the good practice
