A new European project is turning urban rooftops into hubs of green transition and social cohesion, focusing on cities in Southern Europe.
A new European innovation project, “Active Rooftops South Europe – aRTes”, is being launched to transform unused building roofs into vibrant, multifunctional and sustainable spaces that promote climate resilience, social inclusion and urban regeneration. The project is co-funded by the European Union (EU) through the Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) partnership and constitutes a consortium of eight (8) core partners and five (5) collaborating partners from six (6) countries, including universities, research institutions, municipalities and civil society organisations.
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
The aRTes project aims to make use of the unused roofs of urban buildings through the development of accessible, modular and socially inclusive solutions. It promotes interdisciplinary innovation and stakeholder engagement to transform rooftops into living urban spaces, combining green infrastructure, renewable energy, urban agriculture, drone logistics and digital innovation. Through physical and digital solutions, the project will develop prototype roofs, such as photovoltaic panels, modular raised floors and cooperatively designed community spaces, which serve environmental, social and economic goals.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
With a focus on Southern European cities and in alignment with the New European Bauhaus initiative, the aRTes project envisions roofs as catalysts for creating energy communities, climate-adapted public spaces and nature-based solutions at scale. Municipalities, urban planners, researchers and citizens are invited to follow and participate in the project as it develops across Europe.
TIMETABLE & ACTIVITIES
The project, which runs from January 2025 to January 2028, follows a four-phase strategy:
- Design and construction of physical solutions for the roofs.
- Development of digital co-design and monitoring tools for wider application.
- Evaluation of results through pilots in Madrid, Paris, Aveiro, Turin, Nicosia, ensuring scalability to European cities.
- Engage citizens and stakeholders through co-creation workshops.
For more information about the aRTes project, visit: https://www.artes-dut-rooftop-project.eu/
Contact: Natia Charalambous, Project Coordinator, charalambous.nadia@ucy.ac.cy, 22892965
Source: University of Cyprus | Latest news (https://tinyurl.com/mvzv9k3j)