Twinning for a Greener and Better Future: Limassol and Lorquí’s visit to Viladecans

On November 18th and 19th, representatives from the cities of Limassol and Lorquí visited Viladecans as part of the Twinning Learning Programme, an initiative aimed at fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing between cities engaged in sustainable urban development.

The first day of the visit was dedicated to showcasing some of Viladecans’ flagship projects, particularly those aligned with sustainability and energy efficiency. The agenda began with a visit to the Vilawatt office, a pivotal component of the city's innovative energy transition strategy. Attendees explored how 3 of the buildings at the Montserratina neighbourhood have undergone retrofitting to enhance energy performance and reduce environmental impact. The group also visited the solar panel installations at Plaça Europa Market, an exemplary case of integrating renewable energy solutions into public infrastructure.

Another highlight of the day was the presentation of the Viu Verd project, which focuses on promoting green and sustainable living in Viladecans. The delegation also had the opportunity to learn about the initiatives being implemented in Lorquí, showcasing their approach to urban development and sustainability, and fostering an enriching exchange of ideas.

The second day turned the spotlight on Limassol’s LC3 Cooling pilot project. This initiative is a cutting-edge solution to urban cooling challenges, and the delegation reviewed its progress and next steps. The discussions delved into the technical aspects of the pilot, its anticipated outcomes, and the lessons learned so far.

In addition to project-specific discussions, participants worked collaboratively on key documentation related to the Twinning Learning Programme. A significant portion of the session was devoted to the Replicability Assessment, a crucial document aimed at identifying how the successful practices from each city can be adapted and implemented in other contexts.

The two-day visit reinforced the importance of collaboration between cities in tackling global sustainability challenges. The exchange of experiences and best practices between Viladecans, Limassol, and Lorquí not only highlighted their innovative projects but also laid the groundwork for continued cooperation in the future.

This fruitful interaction reflects the core essence of the Twinning Learning Programme: learning from one another to create smarter, greener, and more sustainable urban environments.

The Twinning Learning Programme is an 18-month programme for knowledge sharing and transfer of good practices between selected Twin Cities, and cities that were selected to join the NetZeroCities’ Pilot Cities Programme.