Porto participated in the 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns, held from October 1-3, 2024, in Aalborg, Denmark. This event marked a significant milestone, celebrating 30 years since the inaugural conference in 1994, where the foundational Aalborg Charter was adopted.
Porto’s involvement highlighted its commitment to integrating nature into urban planning and addressing climate change challenges. While the city did not have a formal Urban Nature Plan (UNP), it demonstrated how various urban initiatives had been harmonized to strengthen its resilience. Projects such as URBINAT, which focused on monitoring urban watersheds, and NBRACER, which implemented nature-based solutions, showcased this integrated approach.
During the conference session titled ‘Urban Nature: From Plan to Action,’ Manuel Semedo from the City of Porto emphasized the evolving nature of UNPs, stating, “Urban Nature Plan is more of a process than a product – a way to integrate all actions and strategies that had been developed by the City of Porto over the years and find a way to join them all together.”
The European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns provided a platform for local leaders and urban stakeholders to collaborate on sustainable urban development. Porto’s participation reflected its dedication to fostering a resilient and sustainable urban environment through cooperative efforts and innovative solutions.
