The workshop focussed on exploring greater cooperation between city institutions.

City Councillor Christine Oppitz-Plörer said: “We can only meet the challenges of the next decades together – and only on a shared scientific basis. This is exactly why it is all the more important to take advantage of university expertise and create sustainable structures in which cities and universities can work together in the best possible way. Joint cooperation and networking is essential in this context – and we are very pleased by the opportunity to drive this forward within the framework of the EUniverCities meeting and beyond.”

City Councillor Uschi Schwarzl reinforced the vital importance of institutions working together to tackle challenges by saying: “There are many possible links between the city and the university – especially when it concerns sustainable urban development. That’s why it’s so important that we talk to each other, create opportunities for cooperation, and in this way we can overcome any barriers together.”

Rector Veronika Sexl. speaking on behalf of Universität Innsbruck continued: “I am convinced that we are creating an interesting new instrument for deepening our cooperation with this new workshop format, which we would also like to continue in other thematic settings.”

Lively exchange

In the Senate meeting room of the University, the participants of the follow-up meeting had the opportunity to present their work using brief presentations, and to offer insights into topics such as sustainable mobility and the energy roadmap for the decarbonization of the City of Innsbruck. Small working groups were assigned different topics and tasked with exploring potential joint projects, mechanisms for mutual support, and future exchange opportunities. During the lively session, involving  City of Innsbruck officers responsible for areas such as urban planning, green spaces and  the Innsbrucker Kommunalbetriebe (IKB), together with University of Innsbruck representatives, numerous opportunities for cooperation were identified, with further meetings planned that should lead to deeper cooperation.