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

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 below on this page to receive exclusive updates and invitations.

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

Read more below.

What is the Irresistible Cities Lab?

The Irresistible Cities Lab (ICL) is a “community of irresistible practice” supporting the green transition in cities, inspired by the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Desire project.

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.

Get Involved

BLOXHUB manages ICL’s activities. To learn more, join or participate in upcoming events, contact Aase Højlund Nielsen (aho@bloxhub.org) or complete the form below on this page.

Connect with Desire Pioneers and Projects:

• The Garden Caretaker, Herlev (DK)

• The Circular Campus, Kalundborg (DK)

• Gadehavegaard, Høje-Taastrup (DK)

• Ziepju Street, Riga City (LV)

• Wilderman Neighbourhood, Amsterdam (NL)

• BTC City, Ljubljana (SI) 

• MIND, Milan (IT)

• Cascina Falchera, Turin (IT)

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