The RESPONSE project concluded its final conference in Turku, Finland, bringing together partners, city representatives and stakeholders to exchange lessons on smart and climate-neutral cities.
Taking place from 19-21 May 2026, the conference focused on how integrated urban solutions can support climate goals, energy sustainability and resilience. The agenda included sessions on the RESPONSE project overview, activities in the lighthouse cities of Turku and Dijon, Turku’s Climate Plan 2029, the city’s energy transition and wider urban development plans.
Participants explored how smart city projects can contribute to climate goals, how stakeholder cooperation can strengthen future climate plans, and how local site visits can make urban transition work more tangible. Visits included Skanssi Biodiversity Park, energy solutions and innovations in Turku Science Park, the revitalisation of Turku’s Old Town and the Turku University Botanical Garden.
The second day placed stronger emphasis on energy sustainability and resilience. It opened with a visit to the Student Village Positive Energy District before moving into discussions on the RESPONSE innovation framework, integrated solutions for energy efficiency and production, smart digital systems, and working groups on heating systems, electric systems, ICT systems and citizen engagement.
For ASCEND, the RESPONSE final conference offers relevant insights into the transition from project-level innovation to city-level implementation. The themes addressed in Turku mirror many of the challenges faced by cities working on Positive Clean Energy Districts: aligning renewable energy systems, digital infrastructure, good governance, citizen engagement, long-term scale-up and replication.
You can read more about RESPONSE final conference on the project website.
