Nearly 100 members from the emerging DUT European community met in Brussels with many others joining online to celebrate and boost the start of the European partnership. Building on 10 years of collaboration in the context of JPI Urban Europe, representatives from the European Commission and other European partnerships shared their views on challenges ahead and what role DUT can play to step up actions and boost urban transitions in cities. “If we will succeed to tackle the Green Deal we need to get the people on the ground. Policy needs people. Cities are the beating heart of green transitions and hence DUT plays a crucial role in this transition involving cities”, said Rosalinde Director Clean Planet, DG Research and Innovation. An overall take away message was that DUT can play an important role to boost urban transitions even in times of crisis. “You can be the phase of hope, setting the European vision into practice”, said Veronica Manfredi Director Zero Pollution, DG Environment. “DUT can be seen as the tool to getting things done, DUT is coming up with technical, procedural and social solution that we need to drive this transition forward”, said Eero Ailio Adviser DG Energy.

Recordings from the event are available at Youtube, including presentations on the DUT partnership, the DUT Road map and the three impact pathways, as well as the panel discussion Cities’ perspectives: Urban Transitions in and for uncertain times´ with Tom Meeuws, Vice Mayor City of Antwerp, as one of the speakers.