HUB-IN International Conference

INNOVATION MEETS CULTURAL HERITAGE IN CITIES

Unleashing Creativity and Sustainability in European Historic Urban Areas

HUB-IN International Conference
26 -27 November, 2024

LISBON GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY

Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, 100
1150-269 Lisboa, Portugal
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On 26-27 November, join us in Lisbon to see how European cities can lead a sustainable, innovative urban regeneration

 

In a world where cities are at the forefront of fighting climate change and promoting sustainability, this conference is a timely gathering of minds focused on the intersection of innovation, cultural heritage, and urban development in Europe’s historic urban areas. Anchored in the principles of the New European Bauhaus initiative, the event will bring together leaders, scholars, urban planners, and professionals to explore how innovation hubs can drive sustainable, beautiful and inclusive historic urban areas.

As cities worldwide deal with the urgent need for sustainable solutions, the conference will facilitate an in-depth, policy-oriented dialogue on how these innovation hubs can drive economic revitalization while addressing climate impacts, preserving cultural heritage, enhancing social inclusion, and fostering environmental stewardship. By sharing cutting-edge knowledge, best practices, and innovative strategies, we aim to inspire pathways for cooperation that extend beyond individual projects, encouraging cities across Europe to take the lead in integrating sustainability into their urban planning and revitalization efforts.

At the core of this conference lies the HUB-IN project. This European pioneering initiative has been central in demonstrating how sustainable innovation can be successfully embedded in the unique context of historic urban areas. Throughout the conference, we will share and disseminate key findings and outcomes from HUB-IN, showcasing how cities can leverage innovation to breathe new life into their historic neighbourhoods while valorizing their culture and heritage.

The conference will also mark the formal establishment of the HUB-IN Alliance - a significant milestone in extending the collaborative network initiated by the HUB-IN project. This alliance aims to deepen cooperation among European cities and key stakeholders, fostering a shared commitment to advancing sustainable urban regeneration. By uniting efforts across Europe, the HUB-IN Alliance will not only build on the successes of the HUB-IN project but also create a lasting framework for innovation-driven, culturally sensitive urban development.

Don't miss out on this great opportunity: register today to attend!

If you cannot join us in Lisbon but still want to participate, register to access the live streaming on the first day, 26 November.

Click here for the InfoPack.

For further information, please contact Ms Filipa Sacadura at filipasacadura@lisboaenova.org.

26 November
Agenda

Venue - Lisbon Geographical Society

  • 09:00 - 09:30 - Registration and Participant Reception
  • 09:30 - 10:10: Official Opening and Welcome Remarks

    Miguel Neto, President of Lisboa E-Nova
    Joana Oliveira Costa, Innovation Councilor of Lisbon                                     Sofia Sousa, European Commission representative

  • 10:10 - 10:45 - New European Bauhaus Initiative: European Strategies and Priorities on Urban Regeneration

    Margarida Oliveira, National Contact Point (ANI)
    Brian Smith, Secretary General Heritage Europe (EAHTR)                        Soléne Laeticia Gautron, European Commission, Joint Research Centre

  • 10:40 - 11:15 - Coffee Break
  • 11:15 - 12:15 - Collaborative Dialogues: Building Hubs of Innovation across European Cities
  • 12:15 - 13:45 - Lunch Break
  • 13:45 - 14:15 - Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Urban Development

    João Seixas, Pro-rector at NOVA University of Lisbon for socio-territorial innovation

  • 14:15 - 15:15 - Urban Regeneration LAB: Driving Change through Innovation
  • 15:15 - 15:45 - Coffee Break
  • 15:45 - 16:45 - Talk Show: Innovation Journeys and Testimonies across Europe 
  • 16:45 - 17:30 - Laying the Foundations for the Innovation and Heritage Alliance
  • 17:30 - 18:15 - Closing session with live music by Adufe & Alguidar
  • 18:00 -19:30 - Networking Cocktail

    Opportunity for informal networking and discussion

How to reach the venue: map

Register to join us online

27 November
Agenda

Venue - Lisbon Geographical Society

  • 09:00 - 09:15 - Welcome
  • 09:15- 10.30 - HUB-IN Academy Hands-On: Learn how to create a Hub of Innovation Part I
  • 10:30- 11.00 - Coffee Break
  • 11:00- 12.00 - HUB-IN Academy Hands-On: Learn how to create a Hub of Innovation Part II

How to reach the venue: map

Venue - Creative HUB of Mouraria

  • 13:00 - 14:30 - Lunch Break
  • 14:30 - 16:00 - Immersive Journey at HUB-IN Lisboa - Colina do Castelo
  • 16:00 - 17:30 - Discover Historic Lisbon: Where Innovation meets Heritage
    Guided tour through HUB-IN Lens 

How to reach the venue: map

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Moderators & Hosts

Vera Gregório

A geographer passionate about cities and sustainable transformation, she coordinates the HUB-IN project at Lisboa E-Nova, the city’s energy and environment agency. With over 20 years of experience in urban sustainability, GIS, and climate change, her academic background includes Geography and Urban Planning (MSc), Science and Technology Management (post-graduate), and Climate Change and Sustainable Development Policies (doctoral program). Her expertise spans international project management, urban planning, environmental innovation, and climate adaptation. Previously, she co-founded a geospatial tech startup, holding commercial and technical roles with cities and municipalities.

Brian Smith

Brian is an urban planner with experience in regeneration, project delivery, and public-private partnerships at local, national, and European levels. He became Secretary General of Heritage Europe (formerly the European Association of Historic Towns and Regions) in 1999, promoting sustainable management of historic towns and cities through international cooperation and best practices. Brian co-edited the report for "Cultural Heritage Counts for Europe," highlighting heritage’s impact on Europe’s economy, culture, and environment, and contributed to the EU’s Horizon 2020 initiative, "Getting Cultural Heritage to Work for Europe." In 2021, Heritage Europe became an official partner of the New European Bauhaus (NEB), participating in projects aligned with NEB principles.

Sofia Guedes Vaz

just arrived from two years in Egypt where she was the Programme Liaison Director of the Environmental Engineering Degree at Nova Cairo. Sofia has been the ethical adviser of HUB In. Otherwise, Sofia has worked in several public and private organizations, both national and international in the environmental field. Her academic background is in environmental engineering and environmental philosophy. Sofia has published extensively, namely books, scientific papers, chapters in books, and popular science type of books.

Special Guests

João Seixas

As Pro-Rector of NOVA University Lisbon for Social and Territorial Innovation and a professor at NOVA FCSH, he brings extensive experience in urban policies and regional development. With a PhD in Geography (Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona) and a Master’s in Urban and Regional Studies (LSE), he has taught, researched, and consulted internationally on cities and metropolises. He has held roles such as commissioner of the Lisbon Strategic Charter and consultant for the European Commission's URBACT program. His publications include "Lisbon in Metamorphosis" (2021) and "Lisbon Projections" (2018), among others on urban development.

Margarida Oliveira

Margarida has been the National Contact Point and Delegate for Horizon Europe at Portugal’s National Agency for Innovation (ANI) since January 2021, overseeing Cluster 2 (Culture, Creativity, Inclusive Society), Cluster 5 (Climate, Energy, Mobility), and the Cities Mission. She is also the National Contact Point for the New European Bauhaus initiative. Previously, she served as a Science and Technology Manager at ISPA-Instituto Universitário, supporting research and innovation (R&I) funding and projects. Her background includes roles as a lab technician in molecular biology in Brussels and a product specialist in a molecular biology startup in Wageningen. Margarida holds a Master’s in Biological Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico (2012).

Speakers

Dafydd Hall Williams

is the CEO and founder of HoloEdge Digital, a company at the forefront of blending technology with cultural experiences. A dynamic cultural entrepreneur, he has made significant strides in the fields of theatre, digital media, and opera. Dafydd spearheaded the development of the Yardmen Trail AR Stories app, an innovative project that brings history to life through augmented reality. He is also credited with creating the world’s first volumetrically captured opera app, setting a new benchmark for immersive digital performances. His work continues to push the boundaries of how audiences engage with heritage and the arts in the digital age.

Kerrie Sweeney

Kerrie is the Chief Executive of Maritime Belfast Trust, bringing over 20 years of tourism experience. She joined in 2013 after working with Belfast City Council and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board on the Titanic Signature Project. Since then, Kerrie has led major successes, including a £5 million Heritage Lottery grant to transform the Harland & Wolff Drawing Offices into a boutique hotel, acquiring the SS Nomadic, and relocating the Great Light. Her current focus is developing the Maritime Mile, an award-winning initiative to create a vibrant, connected waterfront experience in Belfast.

Silvia Campailla

Silvia has been working at the Municipality of Genova since 2017, currently as the Officer for Innovation Projects, European Funds, and the UNESCO Office. She leads the design and coordination of EU and ministry-funded projects, including her role as project coordinator for the "CTE – Casa delle Tecnologie Emergenti" initiative. Silvia holds a degree in Mediterranean Politics and Economics and a Master’s in Innovation in Public Administration from the University of Genova, as well as a postgraduate certification in European Financing from the European College Foundation in Parma. Previously, she worked in Brussels (2014-2016) on EU planning and regional policy lobbying.

Diana Henriques

Diana collaborated in the field of research with the Group of Analysis and Environmental Systems (FCT-UNL), Ydreams, the Portuguese Geographical Institute, worked in the NGO GEOTA, and developed internships at the Vrije Universiteit and at the company Geodan (Netherlands). Currently she is the coordinator of the area of Education for Sustainability at Lisboa E-Nova and the City Pilot Workpackage Leader for the Project HUB-IN. She hold a degree in Environmental Engineering from the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of NOVA University and completed a Master's degree in Human Ecology and Contemporary Social Problems at FCSH-UNL.

Carla Fernandes

Carla is the Principal Investigator at FCSH - Universidade NOVA de Lisboa. Director of the Lab “BlackBox Arts & Cognition” at FCSH-UNL. Coordinator of ICNOVA’s Research Group on Performance & Cognition. Awarded a European Research Council 6-year Grant for her interdisciplinary project "BlackBox - A collaborative platform to document performance composition”. Her research is focused on the intersection of Arts and Social Cognition, Multimodal Communication, Intangible Cultural Heritage and Performance Studies (from cognitive and ethnographic perspectives). Particular interests include human non-verbal behaviour in creativity settings, interactions between performing arts and society, and the creation of digital “archives of processes” as alternative ways to document the more ephemeral art forms.
Rick Everts

Rick Everts

Rick Everts is a Senior Policy Advisor of the Arts and Culture Department of Utrecht's municipal government. Drawing on his background in cultural sociology, he works on (the challenges of) housing cultural initiatives in urban landscapes. He advocates for the sustainable development and preservation of creative hubs and cultural venues across Utrecht, collaborating closely with local organizations to strengthen the city’s cultural infrastructure.
Ana Fernandes Pinto

Ana Fernandes Pinto

Ana Fernandes Pinto (Ph.D) is Invited Assistant Professor Lisbon at NOVA-FCSH, and a researcher at CHAM – Centre for the Humanities/NOVA-FCSH. Expertise in historical and cultural communication, author of press articles and participant in television programs. Since 2018 has been conceiving and developing cultural tours for NOVA – Universidade Nova de Lisboa. In 2022 founded Culture in Translation, a company focused on creating value through History.
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The Venue
The Geographical Society

The Lisbon Geographical Society is housed in in the heart of the city, in a historic building of rare architectural and decorative beauty. Founded in 1884, its mission is to promote knowledge of territories and the history of the Portuguese Discoveries.

The site hosts a museum with a strong ethnographic focus, featuring diverse collections from various countries, cartographic instruments including Coronelli’s globes and planispheres, and an extensive bibliographic and cartographic archive. 

Come and explore this fascinating legacy!

Discover the venue

LISBON GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY

Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, 100
1150-269 Lisboa, Portugal
How to reach us
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