NEWS

The City of Tampere joined the EU Cities Gateway Programme at the end of 2025, marking an important step in strengthening transatlantic cooperation between European cities and their counterparts in the United States and Canada. The programme provides a platform for cities to exchange ideas, policies, and innovative solutions to shared urban challenges.

 

The kick-off meeting of the Affordable and Attainable Housing and Innovative Living Environments cluster took place in December 2025 in Toronto, Canada, bringing together city representatives, experts, and innovators from both sides of the Atlantic. Tampere was represented through the WeGenerate project, showcasing the city’s digital twin of the Station District and demonstrating how digital tools can support the development of inclusive urban environments and high-quality green public spaces.

 

Digital solutions, particularly digital twins, sparked strong interest among partner cities in the context of affordable housing. Discussions highlighted the growing need for data-driven, transparent, and equitable planning tools in housing policy and urban decision-making. Through the EU Cities Gateway Programme, Tampere gains access to an international network and learning environment, offering opportunities to further develop its digital twin as a tool for advancing equity, sustainable housing policy, and informed urban governance.