Author(s)

SUZAN VAN KEMPEN, JUANITA DEVIS, JEROEN BROUWER

Abstract

When transitioning towards climate neutrality, cities are seeking innovative ways to implement technical and smart solutions in the built environment. This requires collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and integrated planning. The Innovation Atelier method offers a structured approach to urban sustainability transitions, emphasizing learning, stakeholder engagement and system integration. Through the EU H2020 ATELIER project, eight European cities – Amsterdam, Bilbao, Riga, Bratislava, Copenhagen, Krakow, Matosinhos and Budapest – have established Innovation Ateliers in their respective ecosystems. These Innovation Ateliers were dedicated to the realization of Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) in the cities, by leveraging transnational cooperation (integrated knowledge sharing between the different cities and Innovation Ateliers) and local stakeholder collaboration. PEDs require not only adaptive technical and smart solutions but also seamless integration into the existing physical, social, governance and financial urban context. To ensure social support and alignment among stakeholders, a robust collaboration structure is essential. The Innovation Atelier approach fosters a shared vision, co-creation of solutions, and the active participation of the quadruple helix partners: government, industry, academia, and citizens. This paper demonstrates how Innovation Ateliers can facilitate capacity building for local governments and partners, accelerate realization, and develop knowledge sharing networks that can be sustained beyond the lifetime of the project. The Innovation Atelier approach provides a replicable framework for cities tackling complex sustainability challenges. By establishing enduring collaboration structures, cities can move beyond one-off solutions and create adaptive, long-term strategies for climate mitigation and adaptation. Drawing from the ATELIER experience, this paper highlights how cities, when working together from the outset, can amplify the impact of sustainable interventions. By showcasing practical outcomes best practices, cities inspire other cities to adopt collaborative, systems-based approaches to climate action.

Keywords

innovation ecosystems, collaborative governance, transnational cooperation