Lisboa’s HUB-IN is located in Colina do Castelo (Castle Hill), an area that covers six very distinct neighbourhoods of the historical and cultural heart of the city. This popular area is the one that gives the city of Lisbon its unique characteristics and identity, its cultural-led urban regeneration is vital for the sustainable development of the whole city.

The project aims to set up the Colina do Castelo Hub by stimulating a new creative community, facilitating the emergence of synergies between its elements, and activating opportunities to spark that innovation. This will occur by implementing a set of “key-triggers” such as incubation and acceleration programs, supporting tools, experimentation processes and the use of physical spaces with heritage value, as well as testing services and programs that can be replicated and improved in the mid-term.

The Lisboa Actions

1. Ignite the Hill – building an entrepreneurship and innovation network in Colina do Castelo

Expected results:

• A strongly participating community and stakeholder-based information platform
• New projects coming from the networking events
• A recognized brand helping promote the local economy.

2. De-Incubator” – “decentralised” & “dematerialized” incubator for innovative projects

Expected results:

• Promotion of quality and diversity in the commercial offer
• Enhancement and improvement of the attractiveness of Colina do Castelo by highlighting cultural assets in a creative and innovative way while safeguarding heritage, traditions and the local community
• Job creation and talent attraction
• Promotion of new qualifications, increasing the potential for innovation through the encouragement of entrepreneurship.

3. Colina do Castelo Pop Up Space: a multifunctional space for Lisbon’s creative & sustainable urban regeneration solutions

Colina Criativa do Castelo – Expected results:

• Development of a set of activities capable of attracting new qualifications and businesses models
• Promotion of the awareness of efficient use of resources (materials, water and energy)
• Brand implementation for engagement and awareness
• Stronger cultural assets in a creative and innovative way for businesses opportunities
• Investment in heritage assets with reduction of vacant or underused buildings and spaces
• Development of events that promote the transmission of knowledge by and for the whole community, serving as a vehicle for the social integration of migrants
• Possible replicability of the Pop-Up Space format.

4. “Sprout Tank”: Experimentation for a circular and climate neutral Colina do Castelo

Expected results:

• Implementation of experimental activities in the pilot area (1 to 3 activities in total)
• Integration of renewable energy solutions in historical urban areas to ensure progress
• Creation of a community that supports a medium and long term set of activities
• Better climate adaptation on Colina do Castelo urban area, by testing solutions that generate thermal comfort and soothe energy poverty effects in communities
• Promotion of the several dimensions of environmental sustainability and circularity within this historical urban area and its communities
• Preservation of the memory of places and creation of spaces of wellbeing by promoting the application of technical and social solutions for increasing the availability, reuse and adaptation of public spaces
• Exploration of links between art and sustainability
• Strengthening the bonds between local communities and the multifunctional use of public spaces, and interactions between local stakeholders and other entities with common interests and knowledge.