Uniting with ALTHEA, BIO-INTEL-MOB, and periASTY under the Horizon Europe topic “Integrated peri-urban areas in the transition towards climate neutrality” (HORIZON-MISS-2024-CIT-01-04), SpurUP showcases collaborative solutions to turn Climate City Contracts into real-world industrial and regional action.
BRUSSELS, Belgium (October 2026) – Achieving the EU Cities Mission’s ambitious goal of 100+ climate-neutral cities by 2030 requires going beyond urban centers to transform the industrial zones, transport corridors, and peri-urban fringes surrounding them.
Taking center stage at Connecting Europe Days 2026 in Brussels (28 September – 1 October 2026), the European Commission’s flagship event dedicated to sustainable, smart, and resilient transport and connectivity, the Horizon Europe-funded SpurUP project demonstrated how it is operationalizing Europe’s climate policies on the ground. As Europe’s premier conference for transport and infrastructure policy, the event provided a critical platform for SpurUP to present its peri-urban decarbonization solutions, clean mobility strategies, and living lab outcomes directly to European policymakers, municipal leaders, and industry stakeholders.
Funded under Horizon Europe topic HORIZON-MISS-2024-CIT-01-04: Integrated peri-urban areas in the transition towards climate neutrality (Grant Agreement No. 101228127) and managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), SpurUP presented its work alongside three projects awarded under the same call topic: ALTHEA, BIO-INTEL-MOB, and periASTY. Together, the four projects highlighted their complementary approaches to accelerating climate neutrality in Europe’s peri-urban areas, addressing shared challenges related to sustainable mobility, industrial decarbonization, resource efficiency, and integrated urban planning. Their joint presence demonstrated the importance of cross-project collaboration, knowledge exchange, and coordinated action in supporting the objectives of the EU Cities Mission.
Bridging Clean Technology and Climate City Contracts
To deliver on 2030 climate neutrality targets, European cities must address the heavy carbon footprints of adjacent peri-urban industrial hubs and transport networks. Throughout the four-day flagship event in Brussels, SpurUP representatives Prof. Antonis Peppas and Chrysa Politi presented the project’s suite of 15 physical and digital net-zero solutions currently being deployed across Europe.
A key technical highlight featured at the booth was the presentation of SpurUP’s integrated approach to peri-urban climate neutrality, combining innovative net-zero technologies, industrial symbiosis, circular economy solutions, and participatory governance. Visitors were introduced to the project’s three Living Labs in Thessaloniki (Greece), Aalborg (Denmark), and Jesi (Italy), where these approaches will be demonstrated and evaluated under real-world conditions. Particular emphasis was placed on connecting technological innovation with local planning and stakeholder engagement to support the transition towards climate-neutral cities and their surrounding areas.
Key Exhibition Highlights & Event Outcomes
Joint exhibition stand: SpurUP representatives engaged with European policy makers, municipal leaders, transport experts, and researchers to demonstrate integrated approaches to peri-urban sustainability.
Stakeholder interactions: The SpurUP booth provided an opportunity to engage with representatives from European institutions, local and regional authorities, research organizations, and industry, exchanging perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of peri-urban decarbonization. Discussions focused on the project’s Living Labs, the potential replication of its solutions, and opportunities for collaboration with other European initiatives.
Key takeaways & feedback: Discussions highlighted the importance of integrating industrial decarbonization, circular economy practices, and sustainable mobility into broader urban and regional climate strategies, particularly in peri-urban areas. Exchanges with stakeholders and fellow Horizon Europe projects emphasized the value of Living Labs as platforms for testing practical solutions, sharing knowledge, and exploring opportunities for replication across European cities and regions.
“Connecting Europe Days provided a valuable opportunity to present SpurUP and exchange ideas with stakeholders and fellow European projects. Our joint participation highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing the challenges of peri-urban areas and translating climate neutrality ambitions into practical solutions. Through our Living Labs, we aim to demonstrate how technological innovation and local stakeholder engagement can contribute to this transition.” – Antonis Peppas – Project Coordinator, SpurUP – National Technical University of Athens (NTUA)
Transforming European Peri-Urban Regions by 2030
SpurUP brings together 34 partners across 11 European countries over a 40-month duration (January 2026 – April 2029). The project validates net-zero solutions across three active Living Labs – Thessaloniki (Greece), Aalborg (Denmark), and Jesi (Italy) – supported by three replication sites – Stara Zagora (Bulgaria), Tulcea (Romania), and the West of England (UK).
All findings will be codified into the digital SpurUP Peri-Urban Sustainability Handbook (SpurUP PUSH) to help cities globally transition to climate neutrality.
By 2030, the project aims for:
30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across pilot sites.
25% improvement in industrial energy efficiency.
30% increase in net-zero technology deployment.
6 new Local Green Deals formally uniting authorities, businesses, and citizens.
About SpurUP
SpurUP (Sustainable Peri-Urban framework for Climate Neutral development) is a Horizon Europe Innovation Action (Grant Agreement No. 101228127) funded by CINEA under the EU Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities. The project combines physical net-zero infrastructure with smart digital tools and quadruple-helix participatory governance to transform peri-urban areas into resilient, climate-neutral hubs. Website: https://spurup.eu/ · LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/spurup/
Media Contacts
Ellie Shtereva · Project Manager @F6S · ellie@f6s.com
Maria Teixeira · Communication Manager @F6S · mariafm@f6s.com
About SpurUP: SpurUP is a Horizon Europe project (Project No. 101239566) dedicated to creating resilient, climate-neutral peri-urban regions. The consortium includes 34 partners across 11 countries, including universities, technology providers, local authorities, and NGOs.
EU Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.