European Metropolitan Authorities – EMA gathers 59 metropolitan areas from across Europe, totaling 122 million inhabitants. This year, the EMA forum will be held on October 7-8, 2026 in Bursa, Turkey, by the Marmara Municipalities Union and MICAD’s partners will have the opportunity to showcase the project.

Grenoble Alpes Métropole offers a compelling example of how innovation, environmental ambition and participatory governance can converge to drive an inclusive metropolitan transition. By embedding climate action across all public policies and actively involving citizens, researchers and local stakeholders, the metropolis has pioneered a model that combines technological innovation, experimentation and citizen-driven urban transformation. Its experience highlights the importance of long-term vision, multi-level collaboration and co-creation in shaping resilient and future-ready territories.

The City of Dakar is accelerating its transition toward a more sustainable and resilient energy model through the Metropolitan Governance of the Energy Transition (MGET) project. 19 municipalities involved, with hundreds of professionals, representatives and students trained to reinforce local commitment to climate mitigation and empowered new energy ambassadors.

The Metropolitan City of Milan is redefining how public infrastructure can drive innovation through the Smart Metropolitan Campus. This strategic initiative turns digital connectivity into a shared resource for institutions, businesses, and citizens. By presenting this initiative as a best practice, Milan demonstrates how a metropolitan area can harness technology to generate inclusive and sustainable value across its territory.

How to build digital metropolis? MICAD partners, with external stakeholders, explored how collaboration, innovation, and shared knowledge can strengthen metropolitan governance. Towards a common commitment to co-creating inclusive digital solutions and deepening cooperation across cities and stakeholders to drive sustainable urban transitions.

From 18–20 February 2026, MICAD partners met in Barcelona for the General Assembly to review the first year’s progress and shape future plans. A key highlight of the General Assembly was the testing of the first prototype of the Toolkit for Inclusive Metropolitan Planning.

This interview with MICAD and its sister project RECODE highlights how European metropolitan areas are driving the twin transition by advancing climate and digital agendas together. The projects reveal the essential assets needed for building fair and resilient urban futures.

Facing rising heat, coastal erosion, and water stress, the Barcelona Metropolitan Area is driving a bold climate agenda. Through coordinated action in energy, mobility, water, urban planning, and the circular economy, AMB is turning its commitments into concrete improvements across 36 municipalities—building a more resilient, sustainable, and fair metropolis for its 3.4 million residents.

MICAD is moving from research to impact by turning its assessment of five metropolitan areas into a dynamic capacity-building programme. Through hands-on training and vibrant Operational Hubs, metropolitan teams will learn together, experiment with real solutions, and co-create bold, inclusive roadmaps for digital and climate transitions.