Be Part of the Desire Movement: Join the Irresistible Cities Lab

The Really Regenerative Center (UK) was part of the Desire consortium in an expert role. They contributed a regenerative perspective that prioritized relationship before task, and focused on potentials rather than challenges.

In this “beyond Desire” webinar, created and hosted by the Really Regenerative Center, Olivia Thomassen Harre and Aase Højlund Nielsen share their reflections on relationships and how these influenced Desire during both the development and implementation of the project.

The Relational Edge also presents the findings of a study conducted by the Really Regenerative Center on relationships within Desire. The study is available via this link.

The guide has attracted strong interest from people and organisations beyond the Desire community. It was developed by Danish Design Center, applying deep knowledge about design and design-driven methods and approaches. In this webinar, Christina Melander and Esther Collin Launbjerg from the Danish Design Center present the Desire Transformation Guide and discuss how it may help you to:

• Build and maintain trust

• Establish and nurture ownership

• Prioritise empathy and deep care for place

• …and explore more of the themes that define the guide.

A Torino NEB Manifesto is shaping how the City of Torino is taking on the New European Bauhaus values and principles. In the City of Stavanger, the municipality has embraced NEB’s inclusive perspective in both strategizing and planning. For both cities, NEB has been a genuine change-maker in their approach to urban development.

At the ICL webinar on September 23rd, 2025, Francesco Tortorella (Torino City) and Kristin Kverneland (Stavanger City) explained why their cities chose to anchor strategies in the NEB principles, how they collaborate with citizens, local stakeholders and companies, and – crucially - the impact it has on how local authorities understand their own role.

Presentation slides

• City of Turin, Francesco Tortorella - link to presentation
• City of Stavanger, Kristin Kverneland - link to presentation

Project reference

• The City of Turin was involved in Desire with  (link to) Cascina Falchera, owned by the municipality.
• The City of Stavanger was part of the (link to) NEB-Star project.

With some excellent speakers we opened a debate on where we are heading with the New European Bauhaus, five years after it was launched by EU President Ursula von der Leyen. There is much to celebrate—but also reason to reflect: 

• How can we ensure that NEB remains relevant and continues to drive the much-needed urban transformation?
• How can a European initiative expand by sharing and scaling local NEB-powered experimentation and learning?
• Where does the greatest potential lie, and how can we embed NEB in future architectural practice as well as urban planning and development?

Invited to reflect on these questions were Michela Magas (Chair and Director of Research, Industry Commons Foundation), Kent Martinussen (CEO, Danish Architecture Center), Mette Skjold (CEO and Senior partner, SLA) and Rikke Juul Gram (Creative Director and Senior partner, Schønherr), the debate with the last two excellently facilitated by Andrew Dubber (Director of MTF Labs) 

Watch the recording at YouTube through this link (the event begins app 8:30 minutes into the recording).

This session introduced the NEB Junction, the new NEB Hub for results and impacts, and the concept NEB Gem – a key project result, whether it is a tool, an insight, a lesson learned or a valuable finding. 

You will also meet representatives from the  EITCulture and Creativity (Knowledge Innovation Community) who shared their perspectives on NEB and cross-overs from activities on the ground.

On June 18th 2025, the ICL co-creation session focused on learnings and what to bring forward into the coming NEB Junction that will collect results and impact across NEB initiatives.

Watch short pitches from four of the six first lighthouse projects and listen to the Joint Research Center and CINEA sharing their perspective on the New European Bauhaus future. 

Discover the story of the past two years of working with Design & Do Groups in the Wildeman neighborhood in Amsterdam, and let it inspire you to spark your own local transformation where you live. 

This Desire Pioneer Webinar from March 27th, 2025, is the first in a series of online events and activities. Read more about the evolving community below, and complete the contact form above if you want to get an update when new events come up. 

Connect with Desire Pioneers and Projects:

• The Garden Caretaker, Herlev (DK) – contact Siv Werner (NXT) at siv@nxtbrand.dk
• The Circular Campus, Kalundborg (DK) – contact Flemming Overgaard (The Royal Danish Academy) at fove@kglakademi.dk
• Gadehavegaard, Høje-Taastrup (DK) – contact Lisbeth Engelbrecht Jensen (DOMEA.dk) at lej@domea.dk
• Cascina Falchera, Turin (IT) – contact Laura Fornaro (KAIROS) at laura.fornaro@coopliberitutti.it
• MIND, Milan (IT) – contact Francesco La Loggia (PlusValue) at Francesco.LaLoggia@plusvalue.org
• Ziepju street, Riga (LV) – contact Rudis Rubenis (Riga City Council) at rudis.rubenis@riga.lv
• Wildeman Neighbourhood, Amsterdam (NL) – contact Diana Krabbendam (The Beach) at diana@thebeach.nu
• BTC City, Ljubljana (SI) – contact BTC City at info@btc.si

Partners include the Danish Design Center, Politecnico di Milano, and Aalborg University, with expertise ranging from design frameworks to monitoring and storytelling tools.

What is the Irresistible Cities Lab?

The Lab is a space where the principles of circularity, biodiversity, aesthetics, and belonging come to life. It brings together practitioners from all sectors - architects, designers, urban planners, policymakers, businesses, and community groups - to share experiences, learn from Desire lighthouse demonstrators, and collaborate on practical solutions for urban transformation. It’s not just a place to learn - it’s a platform to act.

Through activities like webinars, co-creation workshops, and special events, participants dive into real-world examples of urban innovation. You’ll gain insights into how local communities across Europe have applied Desire principles to create greener, more inclusive spaces, drawing inspiration to implement these principles into your own projects.

Why Join?

• Learn: Discover how Desire lighthouse demonstrators have implemented solutions to urban challenges.

• Connect: Build relationships with a diverse network of stakeholders across Europe and beyond.

• Act: Participate in hands-on sessions to design and implement projects that align with New European Bauhaus values.

• Inspire: Be part of a growing movement that prioritizes collaboration, creativity, aesthetics and innovation to tackle urban challenges.

How to Join
To join and stay informed, complete the form above on this page to receive exclusive updates and invitations.

For more details contact Aase Højlund Nielsen (BLOXHUB) at aho@bloxhub.org. 

Read more below.

Transforming cities into greener, more livable spaces requires more than traditional policymakers. It calls for city-makers - a broader group encompassing everyone shaping cities, from humans to non-human stakeholders.

If you see yourself as a city-maker - someone striving to make your city a better place to live and work, where circularity, belonging, biodiversity, agency, and aesthetics guide how we use, renovate, and plan our urban spaces - then this is the community for you.

The ICL includes diverse voices: citizens, local authorities, NGOs, architects, designers, businesses, and organizations representing non-human elements and species. Together, we foster collaboration across sectors, learn through passion and listening, and amplify perspectives often left unheard.

What You Gain by Joining

At the heart of ICL is Desire, an EU New European Bauhaus project and a network of eight local “lighthouse demonstrators” that have tested innovative approaches to urban transformation. These Desire practitioners -  small and diverse communities experimenting with urban renewal - share their experiences, challenges, and successes to inspire and connect others.

By engaging with ICL, you will:

• Gain insights into NEB principles in practice.

• Build relationships with practitioners outside your usual network.

• Expand your professional connections across Europe and beyond.

How the ICL Works

The ICL organizes activities centered around Desire’s tools, stories, and lessons. These activities include:

Desire Pioneer Webinars

• Purpose: Build relationships and learn from Desire pioneers.

• Content: Stories from lighthouse demonstrators highlighting NEB values and Desire principles.

• Format: Short, engaging sessions with breakout discussions.

• Schedule: 1.5-hour sessions held quarterly (March, June, September, December).

ICL Co-Creation Sessions

• Purpose: Develop new collaborative projects and initiatives.

• Approach: Facilitated, hands-on workshops embodying the Desire vision.

ICL Special Events

• Purpose: Present updates on NEB and topics relevant to the Desire community.

• Content: Engaging discussions with experts and specialists.