Brussels,

Cities and urban development

REGIONAL & URBAN DEVELOPMENT POLICY

The Commission collaborates with cities to enhance the quality of life by promoting sustainable growth. It supports cities through various means, including the sharing of knowledge, provision of funding, and implementation of urban policies and initiatives. This cooperative approach aims to foster sustainable development, ensuring cities can grow efficiently and effectively while maintaining a high standard of living for their residents.

Smart Cities

What are Smart Cities?

A smart city enhances traditional networks and services using digital solutions to benefit inhabitants and businesses.

This involves:
  • Efficient resource use and reduced emissions
  • Smarter urban transport
  • Upgraded water supply and waste disposal
  • Efficient lighting and heating for buildings
  • Interactive and responsive city administration
  • Safer public spaces
  • Addressing the needs of an ageing population

Smart Cities Marketplace

The Smart Cities Marketplace, formed by merging the EIP-SCC Marketplace and the SCIS, aims to connect cities, industries, SMEs, investors, banks, researchers, and other smart city actors. Its goals are to improve citizens' quality of life, increase the competitiveness of European cities and industries, and meet European energy and climate targets.

Key Areas of Focus

  • Sustainable urban mobility
  • Sustainable districts and built environment
  • Integrated infrastructures and processes in energy, ICT, and transport
  • Citizen focus
  • Policy and regulation
  • Integrated planning and management
  • Knowledge sharing
  • Baselines, performance indicators, and metrics
  • Open data governance
  • Standards
  • Business models, procurement, and funding

Matchmaking Process

The Marketplace’s Explore-Shape-Deal process includes:
  1. Explore: Access and learn from existing smart city knowledge and best practices.
  2. Shape: Develop ideas into solid, bankable projects ready to attract investors through structured stakeholder dialogues.
  3. Deal: Facilitate exchanges between project promoters and financiers to close deals and finance projects.

Focus and Discussion Groups

Stakeholders in sustainable urban development are invited to join these groups, which aim to:
  • Facilitate peer exchange and support
  • Address common challenges related to climate-neutral and sustainable cities
  • Develop concrete projects and possibly feed them into the Matchmaking process

Green Cities Wiki
Green Cities Wiki
This resource manages the extensive information on the Smart Cities Marketplace, providing structured access to insights, projects, and guidance. It supports the Explore-Shape-Deal process and the Focus and Discussion groups, and is continually updated with new results and projects.

For more details on existing groups or to start a new one, visit the Smart Cities Marketplace website: Focus and Discussion groups | Smart Cities Marketplace.


Related policies

Energy and smart cities
Sustainable transport for smart cities
Digital single market and smart cities