Culture as a Bridge: Robert Alagjozovski on European Cultural Policy

Robert Alagjozovski, River Cities member and former Minister of Culture of North Macedonia, spoke at the anniversary event marking 45 Years Magazin international in Vienna. In his lecture, he outlined the role of European cultural policy as a framework for dialogue, cooperation and international understanding. Focusing on the intrinsic value of culture, he emphasized its capacity to build trust, connect societies and create spaces for exchange—especially in times of political tension and global fragmentation.

R//C Lunch Sessions 2: Urban Futures Along the River: Reconnecting Cities, Water and Society

The second River Cities Lunch Session opened a space for reflecting on one of the most decisive transformations of our time: the global shift towards urban living—and its deep entanglement with water systems. The conversation, moderated by Bernd Herger, brought together perspectives on how cities evolve within ecological and regional contexts. As part of the River//Cities initiative, which explores the dynamic relationships between urban development, river landscapes, and ecological infrastructures, the session highlighted a crucial insight: cities are not isolated entities, but living systems shaped by flows—of water, people, resources, and ideas.

River Cities Lunch Session #2: Urbanization Trends in Global Comparison - Bernhard Müller in Conversation with Bernd Herger

Cities are increasingly shaping the 21st century—economically, environmentally, socially, and culturally. The session takes an international comparative perspective on current urbanization trends and discusses the opportunities and challenges of the “city of the future.

River Cities Lunch Sessions #1 “Reconnecting People, Place, and Nature Through Urban Ecosystem Services”

Nature is not the opposite of the city—it is its hidden engine. The first River Cities Lunch Session explores how ecosystem services such as cooling, CO₂ capture, health, and ecological engineering actively shape resilient urban life. With insights from Eva Stache (TU Delft) and a cultural response by Lia Ghilardi, this session bridges climate science, design, and the social fabric of cities.

River Cities Network in Stockholm - 14 October 2025

The River Cities Network invites you to an inspiring afternoon filled with creative workshops, thought-provoking presentations, and artistic encounters in Stockholm. Hosted by Intercult at the Vrak Museum of Wrecks, the event brings together artists, scientists, urban planners, cultural organisations, thinkers, and practitioners to explore rivers, water, and urban futures through dialogue, imagination, and collaboration.

River//Cities is meeting in Athens!

The River // Cities network is delighted to invite you to the River//Cities meet-up in Athens – a gathering of the European Network for Culture on Waterfronts.

Join us!

JOIN US! River//Cities integrates River Rights into urban waterfront development, using arts and culture to create vibrant, sustainable spaces while connecting partners, sharing knowledge, fostering skills, and supporting EU-funded projects for better cities and communities.

Vienna International Lab 2024

The second International Lab of the Turning the Tide (TTT) project took place in Vienna, bringing together artists, urban planners, and environmental experts to examine the relationship between water, urban development, and art in shaping sustainable cities.

Gdansk International Lab 2024

On June 25, 2024, the Urban Culture Institute in Gdansk hosted a unique symposium on water, organised as part of the Turning the Tide project.

Climate and Culture Summit Glasgow 2024

As part of the Turning The Tide project, a one-day summit in Glasgow on 25th April 2024 was held.

River Cities is Turning the Ride!

We are excited to share that our network is collaborating with the Creative Europe project “Turning The Tide”.