On 17–18 June, the ALTHEA consortium came together in Milan for two days of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strategic dialogue aimed at accelerating the transition to climate-neutral peri-urban areas across Europe. The General Assembly was officially opened by Claudia Maria Terzi, Regional Minister for Infrastructure and Public Works of Regione Lombardia, who emphasized the importance of integrated territorial planning and cross-sector cooperation in tackling the multifaceted challenges of climate neutrality.
Bringing together project partners, Transition Super Living Labs (TSLLs), replicator regions, innovators, and implementation actors, the meeting served as a valuable opportunity to assess progress and define priorities for the next phase of the project. Discussions focused on key achievements across ALTHEA’s work packages, including the development of the Blueprint for systemic twin transitions in peri-urban areas, the TSLL Evaluation Framework, and the rollout of 21 innovations across the five TSLLs. Participants explored how these solutions can contribute to real-world challenges in mobility, logistics, energy, governance, industrial ecosystems, and environmental sustainability.
Site visit at Hupac/CIM intermodal terminal
One of the highlights of the event was a visit to the Hupac/CIM intermodal terminal in Novara, a pilot site within the Milano TSLL. Situated along key European transport corridors, the Novara hub offered a practical demonstration of how logistics, technology, sustainability, and governance can be integrated to support climate-neutral transitions. Participants gained first-hand insights into the role of intermodal freight transport in shifting cargo from road to rail, reducing emissions, and enhancing the resilience of European supply chains.
Matchmaking session for Transition Super Living Labs
The programme continued with dedicated sessions on the implementation of the five TSLLs in Milan, Antwerp-Rotterdam, Lisboa Metropolitan Area, Alicante-Elche, and Epirus-Ioannina. Partners shared experiences on use-case implementation, innovation integration, and anticipated impacts, while replicator regions presented their priorities and local challenges.
The General Assembly concluded with a matchmaking session between TSLLs and replicator cities of Gdynia and Aachen fostering new opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the identification of shared interests. These interactions will strengthen ALTHEA’s mutual learning and replication efforts, supporting the adaptation of successful solutions to diverse European contexts.
A heartfelt thank you to Regione Lombardia for hosting the meeting, and to all partners, innovators, implementation actors, and regional stakeholders for their dedication to creating more sustainable, resilient, and climate-neutral peri-urban communities across Europe.