News from AoUi: 2024
End of year updates from some of our international members
The end of 2024 is almost upon us and there’s been a lot happening in some impressive European places. Here are some of their highlights and plans – along with one sad event that our friends in Copenhagen are viewing through a positive lens.
Read on for news on Estepona’s street transformation, Helsinki’s computer-themed playground, Amersfoort’s new seating and why you may want to consider visiting Reggio Emilia in September 2025.
Amersfoort, Netherlands
This year Amersfoort realised its first ‘life vein’. It is seen as an important route for cyclists and pedestrians with the aim of stimulating healthy mobility as well as encounters in existing neighbourhoods. Furthermore, one of the city’s squares has been refreshed with the addition of a large seating area with an arresting design. Finally, the build for the new city hall has started.
Estepona, Spain
The Council has remodelled Calle Terraza, one of the biggest shopping streets in Estepona’s road network, for citizen use. The project has strengthened commercial activity and regenerated the street as a pedestrian axis, improving environmental conditions and creating a centre of universally accessible urban mobility.
Helsinki, Finland
Highlights of Helsinki’s urbanism over the last 12 months include the opening of the world's first computer-themed playground, expanding the Baana cycling routes, and the renovated Töölönlahti Summer Park (pictured). The city also started exploring new, creative uses for the Hanasaari power plant. The closure of the power plant is a significant step towards Helsinki's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Additionally, Helsinki finalized a new architectural programme, which aims to enhance everyday architecture, public urban spaces, and climate-smart construction.
Reggio Emilia, Italy
Reggio Emilia has a longstanding commitment to urban regeneration, particularly through bottom-up practices that reflect its distinct identity. In September 2025, the city will host Placemaking Week Europe – a valuable opportunity to engage with urbanists from across Europe, to focus on future strategies, skill enhancement, and the challenges surrounding sustainability and inclusion.
Utrecht, Netherlands
Utrecht celebrated the end of a 5-year renovation of its famous Dom-tower (110 m). And a new landmark was added to the city with the completion of Wonderwoods (pictured), a 104 m high mixed use building with two hectares of green area on rooftops and façade. With Wonderwoods, Utrecht takes another step on its path towards healthy urban living.
Copenhagen, Denmark
“On 16 April 2024, a devastating fire destroyed more than half of Copenhagen's Old Stock Exchange. The 17th-century Dutch Renaissance-style building was with its dragon-tailed spire one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Luckily, no lives were lost in the fire, but the event reminds us of what a fundamental part of a city's soul and history is to be found in its architecture.“
