Reflections from Brussels: From Promise to Proof

What was the idea behind the theme “From Promise to Proof”?  

Katarina: We wanted to challenge ourselves to showcase results. The conference marks a new phase of the DUT programme. We are no longer starting up but have reached a new level of maturity with projects from our first call already delivering results and solutions that can support urban practice and policies. Further, the DUT Knowledge Hubs have been running for a year, bringing additional outputs. The title is also a reference to the logic of the updated DUT Roadmap with the mission up front. A mission is a promise.   

Was there something that particularly inspired you during the DUT conference?  

Orsolya: Seeing the DUT impact on the ground is really inspiring for me. For example, when DUT projects come up and outline how their DUT project helped their vision become a reality. One example is the MULTIGINATION project. Their coordinator mentioned that through DUT, they could make their solutions open source which are now being used by various cities. Similarly, seeing the Urban Doers, who kicked off just the day before, reminded me of how DUT drives change, but also connects and supports a diverse group of stakeholders across Europe.  

Katarina: For me, it is truly inspiring to see the DUT community manifest on these occasions – sense the energy, the spirit and warm atmosphere. To meet the dedicated researchers and stakeholders from the rest of society active in the programme. Also, the conversation in the morning with the journalist Martin Gelin and Marcos Ros Sempere, Member of the European Parliament, was inspiring since it illustrated cities as lived spaces.   

During the day, you also reflected on future European policies and the next framework programme. What is your perspective on those discussions?   

Orsolya: There is still a great deal of uncertainty around the next Multiannual Financial Framework and FP10, and many of the decisions that will shape the future landscape are still ahead of us. What gave me confidence during the DUT Conference, however, was the strong commitment demonstrated by our community and by the many organisations and initiatives that share our ambition for sustainable urban transitions. 

I was particularly encouraged by the discussions with representatives from the European Commission, including DG RTD and DG REGIO, who clearly recognise the importance of connecting research, policy and implementation. The discussions are far from over, but the conference reinforced my belief that there is a strong foundation on which to continue the preparations and conversations around the future of European support for urban transitions.  

We also saw strong engagement from key partners and allies such as NetZeroCities consortium partners, UTM, Belmont Forum, Urbact and EUI, highlighting a shared willingness to work together and build on each other's strengths. 

How will DUT utilise these alliances going forward?  

Orsolya: Looking ahead, our role as DUT is to continue bringing this community together and demonstrating the critical mass that exists across Europe. Together with our participating countries and stakeholders, we want to show that urban transitions are not a niche topic, but a strategic area that contributes directly to broader European priorities such as competitiveness, resilience, climate neutrality, affordable housing and quality of life.  

We heard a clear message from cities, researchers, businesses, funding agencies, national representatives and European institutions alike: urban transitions remain a pressing challenge for Europe and will continue to require coordinated action in the years to come.