IMPETUS kick-off meeting

On the 17th and 18th of May, all project partners gathered in Florence, Italy, for the first in-person project kick-off meeting. 

The event was hosted and organized by lead partner ANCI Toscana in collaboration with the local partner LAMA Impresa Sociale, and was attended by regional and local authorities from the six European countries involved: Italy, Spain, France, Latvia, Poland and Romania. 

The first day began with initial presentations on the project's objectives, approaches and expected results, and an activity based on the exchange of experiences about good practices across the project themes, which led to a brief discussion on the challenges and opportunities of temporary uses in sustainable urban development strategies and plans. 

This was followed by an afternoon study visit to "Manifattura Tabacchi", a former industrial area representing the largest conversion and regeneration project in Florence’s history, whose success also results from the key role of temporary uses. The inspirational afternoon was closed by an excellent dinner of Tuscan specialties.

On the second day, the agenda included two special focuses concerning communication and management activities.

The meeting was the first opportunity to set up the group's working method to give the partners a chance to get to know each other better, laying the first foundation for discussing the promotion of a policy change that can foster temporary uses and the development of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities.