"How can cities advance urban regeneration to create green and thriving neighbourhoods for all?" This was the central question guiding the C40 session Driving Urban Regeneration: Uniting Capital, Cities and Communities, held in Barcelona as part of the Smart City Expo.

In this session, city officials, urban experts and Students Reinventing Cities winners shared practical strategies for uniting finance, public action and community voice to create vibrant and inclusive urban spaces. Industry leaders discussed innovative financing and partnership models that can drive large-scale transformation, while examples from Bologna and Barcelona illustrated how cities are revitalising existing urban land and engaging students directly in the design process.

Students Reinventing Cities winners Sanam Mirzaye-Ahmadi and Niyusha Zarei reflected on how their projects shape local visions for the green transition,  showing how student-led innovation can influence real policy and inspire equitable regeneration.

The panel reaffirmed that building fair and sustainable cities begins with collaboration across institutions, disciplines and generations.

Read more here.