Building on shared experience: the final in-person meeting

What happens when cities come together to reflect on real-world experiments?

Following the previous gathering in Frankfurt, Specific partners reconvened in Berlin on April 23–24 for a 1.5-day meeting focused on reflection, exchange, and co-creation.

At the heart of the meeting was the second session of the Meta-Lab, bringing together non-academic partners from each city where a transition experiment has been implemented. This session provided a valuable space to step back from local activities and collectively reflect on lessons learned. By sharing successes, challenges, and unexpected outcomes, participants had the chance to draw connections across different urban contexts and to identify common patterns in transition processes.

A key takeaway from the Meta-Lab discussions was the importance of mutual learning. While each city operates within its own specific conditions, the exchange highlighted how similar barriers and opportunities emerge across Europe. This reinforced the value of collaboration in developing more effective and adaptable approaches to urban transformation.

In addition to reflection, the meeting placed strong emphasis on the development of the project’s main tool: a practical resource designed to support policymakers in European cities. This tool will take the form of an accessible and engaging deck of informational cards, translating project insights into actionable guidance. The cards aim to bridge the gap between experimentation and implementation, helping decision-makers navigate complex transition processes with greater confidence.

The Berlin meeting marked an important step forward in consolidating knowledge generated throughout the project and transforming it into a tangible output. As the work progresses, researchers will continue refining the card deck, ensuring it responds to the real needs of urban practitioners.