From 17 to 19 June, Kraków is hosting the sixth edition of the Cities Forum – a key event of the European Commission dedicated to the future of cities.

 

Over the course of three days, more than 800 participants from across Europe will engage in discussions on crucial topics related to the sustainable development of urban areas, including housing accessibility, digital transformation, urban mobility, as well as social inclusion, competitiveness, and urban resilience. Between 2021 and 2027, the European Union will invest over €24 billion in integrated urban development strategies.

This year’s edition of the Cities Forum, co-organised by the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) and the European Urban Initiative (EUI), is held under the theme “Empowering Cities – Shaping the Future of Europe.” In addition to representatives of EU Member States, the forum in Kraków also welcomes delegations from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

 

On the very first day of the Forum, participants will have the opportunity to learn about EU-supported investment projects implemented in Kraków. Among the visits planned are:

  • Sites under transformation in the Nowa Huta district, managed by Kraków Nowa Huta Przyszłości S.A., where post-industrial areas are being revitalised with a focus on the needs of residents, environmental protection, and the modern economy (such as the “Przylasek Rusiecki” Recreation and Leisure Centre and the Economic Activity Zone). A multimedia presentation will introduce the concept of revitalising post-industrial land using the Kraków – Nowa Huta of the Future project as an example.
  • Nowa Huta, a district that has undergone a profound transformation from a communist-era neighborhood into a welcoming urban space (including exploration of shelters and socialist aesthetics at the Museum of Nowa Huta).
  • Zakrzówek, a unique example of civic engagement in shaping public space, complemented by municipal investment in land acquisition and development of green areas (featuring a modern bathing area, recreational infrastructure, a water sports centre, and the “Re-Kreacja” linear park).
  • The Wesoła district, where a process of redefining the former hospital grounds is currently underway.
  • Zabłocie, now one of the city’s most dynamically developing areas, revitalised through the creation of the Social and Economic Innovation Cluster, the Stacja Wisła park, and the MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art.

Guests opting for a walking and cycling tour along the Vistula River will observe how Kraków is implementing climate adaptation measures, including improved water retention capacity, rain gardens, and urban green enclaves.

 

Additional visits will focus on housing policy, projects promoting an inclusive urban environment for all residents – including national and ethnic minorities as well as migrants – and initiatives aimed at preserving cultural heritage, fostering local identity, and encouraging civic creativity, particularly in Nowa Huta.