Urban2020

04/09/2026

Turning proximity into practice starts with bringing different perspectives together. In PROWD, co-creation means connecting local knowledge, community experience and institutional capacity to move from individual ideas towards shared priorities and locally relevant solutions for Low-Density Urban Areas.

Co-creating Proximity l 02

Proximity becomes meaningful when local knowledge, institutional capacity, and community ambition move in the same direction.

16/07/2026

Adelin Lazar with his take on PROWD, our project about which we perhaps already told you😃, is financed under the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership. PROWD is exploring and aims to find ways to implement proximity in low-density urban areas.

PROWD Voices | Episode 8

Every city has its center. But what about the places beyond it?

For Adelin Lazar, PROWD is an opportunity to rethink how low-density urban areas can become more connected, accessible, and sustainable without depending on densification or large-scale infrastructure.

His perspective is deeply rooted in years of research on urban sprawl, territorial systems, and sustainable mobility, as well as a strong personal connection to Bucharest and the academic community that helped shape his professional journey.

09/07/2026

As part of the SPADES project, URBAN2020 Association, together with the Baia Mare Metropolitan Area Intercommunity Development Association successfully organized the first of the two co-creation workshops dedicated to the Baia Mare pilot.

The workshop brought together representatives of local and regional authorities, public institutions and other relevant stakeholders to discuss the main findings of the Diagnosis Phase, explore the No Net Land Take concept and its relevance for Romania, and present the draft Plan of Measures and Recommendations, a strategic document aimed at integrating soil considerations into spatial planning and supporting the sustainable regeneration of degraded and contaminated land. Through interactive discussions and collaborative exercises, participants shared valuable ideas, priorities and recommendations that will contribute to refining the plan and shaping the next steps of the co-creation process.

A sincere thank you to everyone who joined us, shared their expertise and actively contributed to this collaborative effort. Your insights are essential in building a more soil-inclusive planning approach and a more sustainable future for the Baia Mare Metropolitan Area.

01/07/2026

It was a pleasure for URBAN2020 to participate in the PROWD International Conference in Vilnius, where researchers, practitioners, and policymakers came together to discuss one of the most pressing challenges for European metropolitan areas: how can we create proximity in low-density urban areas?

Our team was honoured to contribute to the opening of the conference and to moderate the session presenting the first scientific results of the project. The discussions highlighted the importance of moving beyond traditional city-centred planning and exploring new approaches to accessibility, mobility, and service provision that respond to the realities of low-density territories.

As PROWD enters its next phase, the focus shifts from analysis to action through the co-creation of practical solutions with local communities and stakeholders. We are excited to continue this journey together with our European partners and contribute to shaping more inclusive, accessible, and resilient metropolitan regions.

26/06/2026

We are delighted to support the PROWD Conference – "From Spatial to Social Proximity in Low-Density Metropolitan Areas", taking place on 29 June in Vilnius.

As a proud partner of the PROWD project, URBAN2020 is pleased to contribute to this important discussion on how the principles of the 15-Minute City can be reimagined for low-density and peri-urban territories, fostering more accessible, resilient, and inclusive metropolitan regions.

Because proximity should not depend on density.

26/05/2026

Gabriel Simon, MSc in Mobility & Urban Planner - one of the team members who is working within PROWD project, shares some considerations about our Driving Urban Transition initiative.

How can the principles of the 15-Minute City work beyond dense urban centres? For Gabriel Simon, Junior Consultant and Urban Planner at Urban2020Association, this is exactly what makes PROWD such an exciting initiative.

PROWD challenges conventional thinking by showing how proximity can be achieved in low-density urban areas, improving access to everyday services and opportunities without relying on urban densification. By collaborating, innovating, and engaging locally, the project is creating new pathways toward more sustainable, equitable metropolitan development

Stay tuned as we continue sharing the voices, ideas, and perspectives of the people working together to rethink accessibility, mobility, and everyday life in metropolitan regions across Europe.

20/01/2026

Follow & Find out more about our project, PROWD, funded by the Driving Urban Transition program.

What does a 15-Minute City look like when density drops and distances grow? The idea works well in compact city centers, but villages, suburbs, and peri-urban areas play by different rules. Services are more spread out, mobility options are fewer, and everyday access becomes more fragile.

Re-thinking proximity beyond dense urban cores means:
- shared local hubs
- flexible and demand-responsive mobility
- modular, scalable services
- stronger local resilience

It’s not about copying the inner city. It’s about adapting proximity to place.

12/01/2026

New year, same URBAN2020! We are back from the winter break and so is PROWD!

Busy 2026 ahead! Let's do this! 🙌

Leaving the car habit behind isn’t only driven by individual choice alone, it’s also about how our cities are built. The placement of every supermarket, school and doctor's office shapes our mobility habits.🚶‍♀️🚲🚍

PROWD explores how we can shift away from heavy car dependency and create realistic alternatives for everyday life.

16/12/2025

Day-to-day life exists beyond the temporal aspect of routine; it requires spaces that accommodate our daily needs. These amenities exist within a tightly knit network of local functions that shape the daily experiences of residents. But what happens when density is low and spaces are too far apart? Gaps form and slowly but surely, proximity is diluted. Follow us as we explore innovative solutions to restore it in LDUAs.

02/12/2025

Not only a pleasure to meet our partners from PROWD again, this time in our own city of Bucharest, for the second transnational meeting of the project, but also a very productive and insightful meeting, to approach the end of 2025, and plan ahead for 2026, which announces itself as a busy year for us, here at PROWD.

Thank you to our friends and partners from ADI-ZMB (Bucharest Metropolitan Area) for organising and facilitating this meeting!