A City of Firsts and Smart Ambition
Liviu Stanciu and the Alba Iulia team presented the city's evolution as a smart city pioneer. With over €350 million in projects between 2007 and 2025, Alba Iulia has used EU funding to catalyse change. The transformation includes:
Smart mobility investments: 300 smart bikes, 40 electric buses, 18 km of dedicated bus lanes, smart lighting, and a smart traffic management centre.
Public infrastructure upgrades: 45 modernised bus stations, 95 surveillance cameras, and a mobility data-sharing framework.
Sustainability leadership: Thermal rehabilitation of public and private buildings, an urban energy management platform, and the development of local energy communities.
Tourism innovation: A Destination Management Organisation (DMO) is helping reshape the city’s tourism strategy, now integrated with the European Youth Capital 2026 programme.
Read the full Smart Mobility Case Study here.
Branding Alba Iulia: From “No One” to “The Other Capital”
Tudor Drâmbărean captivated attendees with the inspiring story of Alba Iulia’s branding journey. Launched in 2015, Alba Iulia became the first Romanian city with a dedicated city branding strategy - transforming itself from a relatively unknown location into a flagship example of how place identity can shape economic and cultural relevance.
Positioned as “The Other Capital” of Romania, Alba Iulia embraced its heritage, from the three century-old fortress (restored with EU funds) to its role in Romanian national unity. The brand narrative celebrates a multifaceted identity - youth capital, ecumenical capital, royal capital, and more. The city’s success in international networks such as URBACT’s CityLogo project and recognition from Europa Nostra for heritage restoration underscores how strategic storytelling can change a city’s trajectory.
Read the full City Branding Case Study here.
Peer Review in Action: IAPs Under the Microscope
A core element of the meeting was the Integrated Action Plan (IAP) Peer Review, led by URBACT Ad Hoc Expert Jose Costero. Nine partner cities presented draft IAPs, receiving structured feedback on vision, strategy, financing, stakeholder engagement, and the visibility of URBACT’s added value. Key takeaways? Cities are making great strides in defining their green visions and mobilising stakeholders - but gaps remain in financing, action detail, and showcasing URBACT’s added value. The peer feedback gave everyone a roadmap to refine and strengthen their plans.
Challenge-Based Workshop: Partner Cities Solve Real Problems
A highlight of the meeting was the interactive Challenge-Based Workshop. A high-energy World Café-style workshop that had everyone on their feet, brainstorming across three live challenges. The ideas were as practical as they were imaginative—proof that collaboration sparks creativity.
1. How to Protect and Empower Vulnerable People in the Age of AI
- Launch community learning labs and “train-the-trainer” initiatives
- Promote digital ethics and safe experimentation
- Keep tech human: not everything has to be AI-driven
2. Shifting Citizens from Cars to Sustainable Transport
- Invest in visible, central cycling routes and school-led initiatives
- Incentivise change: “bike to work” perks, free family passes, influencer campaigns
- Make it easy, fun, and part of daily life
3. Capitalising on the Fortress to Encourage Tourists to Stay Overnight in Alba Iulia
- Amp up the experience: from treasure hunts to late-night concerts
- Improve wayfinding and create layered pricing and accommodation options
- Curate packages - spa, food, wine, history, culture- to appeal to diverse travellers
The workshop provides actionable ideas not only for Alba Iulia but for all network cities grappling with similar challenges.
Showcasing Sustainability: Site Visits and Local Innovation
Participants visited the Delex net-zero office building, where a smart combination of solar panels, heat pumps, and battery storage enables energy independence for the entire year. The group also toured the Star Transmission Mercedes-Benz facility in Sebeș, a prime example of sustainable industry embedded in regional economic development.
Cultural Warmth and European Inspiration
The warm embrace of Alba Iulia’s hospitality left a lasting impression on visiting partners. Evenings were rich with cultural exchange: a tour of the Alba Iulia Fortress, traditional Romanian dinners, and local wine tastings created opportunities for informal learning and strengthened collaboration across the network.
What’s Next?
The Alba Iulia meeting left the network energised and ready for action. With podcast recordings in September and the next stop in Dubrovnik on the horizon, the momentum is building.
Alba Iulia reminded everyone that small cities can dream big - and deliver. With smart thinking, bold branding, and unstoppable community spirit, it’s a city proving that history and innovation aren’t opposites- they’re partners.
