Welcome to Skellefteå and northern Sweden for the first CITE conference. Join us in Skellefteå as part of the New European Bauhaus Festival.

9–10 June 2026, Sara kulturhus

Welcome to Skellefteå and northern Sweden for the first CITE conference. Join us in Skellefteå as part of the New European Bauhaus Festival.

9–10 June 2026, Sara kulturhus

Conference

Cities in Transition – How mid-sized cities are shaping Europe’s future

The first CITE Conference will take place in Skellefteå, Sweden, on 9-10 June 2026, bringing together European cities undergoing major transformation.

Six cities have been carefully selected to represent the breadth of Europe’s urban transformation. Together, these city cases illustrate the full spectrum of change, from rapid growth and sudden adjustment to post-industrial recovery, economic diversification and climate transition.

The first CITE Conference will take place in Skellefteå, Sweden, on 9 June 2026, bringing together six European cities undergoing major transformation.

Throughout the day, participating cities will share their experiences of managing change in practice – from industrial transition and workforce development to the evolving attractiveness of places undergoing rapid transformation. The focus is on real-world insights: what has worked, what has proven challenging, and what other cities can learn.

The conference is designed as a moderated exchange, creating space for reflection, discussion, and shared learning between cities facing similar challenges. It offers practical perspectives and lessons that can support cities in navigating complex and fast-moving change.

Selected as a New European Bauhaus (NEB) Satellite Event, the conference connects local transformation to broader European priorities.

Preliminary Programme

09.30 - 10.00

Registration & Welcome Coffee

10.00 - 10.30

Welcome Address

Evelina Fahleson, Mayor of Skellefteå

Moderator Introduction

Maddy Savage, journalist and international moderator

From Strategy to Reality: Delivering Transformation in Europe’s Cities

Palle Lundberg, CEO, Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions

10.30 - 11.00

Special Guest Keynote – Uzhhorod, Ukraine

Extreme transitions: How a city responds to sudden change

11.00 - 12.00

Theme 1 – Governing Transformation

Linz, Austria

Rebuilding Trust: Aligning Industry and City for Transformation

Ana Zuljevic, Head of Economy & Innovation, City of Linz

Linz illustrates how trust and coordination between industry, the city and innovation actors enable transformation. The case highlights governance models that support joint decision-making and long-term alignment.

Dunkirk, France

On the Path to Climate Neutrality: Industry, Energy and Quality of Life

Xavier Dairaine, Director of Strategic Projects, City of Dunkirk

Dunkirk is combining industrial transition, energy transformation and environmental goals with measures such as free public transport to improve quality of life. The case highlights how climate action can support both economic development and social cohesion.

12.00 - 13.30

Lunch and Networking

13.30 - 14.45

Theme 2 – Managing Growth and Structural Change

Wałbrzych, Poland

Rebuilding After Collapse: Restoring Economy and Workforce

Arkadiusz Grudzien, Chief Executive Officer of InVałbrzych, City of Wałbrzych

Following the closure of coal mining, Wałbrzych has rebuilt its economy by attracting new industries and reskilling its workforce. The experience demonstrates how longterm efforts can restore jobs and local confidence.

Skellefteå, Sweden

From Boom to Adjustment: Navigating Rapid Growth and Sudden Change

Kristina Sundin Jonsson, Municipality Director, City of Skellefteå

Rapid growth driven by green industry has created pressure on housing, skills and infrastructure, followed by periods of adjustment. The case highlights lessons from one of Europe’s most dramatic societal transformations.

14.45 - 15.15

Coffee Break and Networking

15.15 - 16.30

Theme 3 – Building the Future Economy

Fundão, Portugal

Competing Without Scale: Attracting Talent Beyond Major Cities

Michaela Gil, European Affairs Officer, City of Fundão

Fundão demonstrates how a small city can attract talent and build a digital economy. The case highlights how skills, housing and quality of life create growth without metropolitan scale.

Košice, Slovakia

Building a Second Economy: Expanding Beyond Industry

Miso Hudak, Director of Business Strategy at Business Košice, City of Košice

Košice presents how new sectors can grow alongside an industrial base. By linking universities, business and innovation, the city strengthens its tech economy and talent retention.

16.30 - 17.00

Closing Session and presentation of the CITE Declaration

Preliminary Programme

09.30 - 10.00

Registration & Welcome Coffee

10.00 - 10.30

Welcome Address

Evelina Fahleson, Mayor of Skellefteå

Moderator Introduction

Maddy Savage, journalist and international moderator

From Strategy to Reality: Delivering Transformation in Europe’s Cities

Palle Lundberg, CEO, Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions

10.30 - 11.00

Special Guest Keynote – Uzhhorod, Ukraine

Extreme transitions: How a city responds to sudden change

11.00 - 12.00

Theme 1 – Governing Transformation

Linz, Austria

Rebuilding Trust: Aligning Industry and City for Transformation

Ana Zuljevic, Head of Economy & Innovation, City of Linz

Linz illustrates how trust and coordination between industry, the city and innovation actors enable transformation. The case highlights governance models that support joint decision-making and long-term alignment.

Dunkirk, France

On the Path to Climate Neutrality: Industry, Energy and Quality of Life

Xavier Dairaine, Director of Strategic Projects, City of Dunkirk

Dunkirk is combining industrial transition, energy transformation and environmental goals with measures such as free public transport to improve quality of life. The case highlights how climate action can support both economic development and social cohesion.

12.00 - 13.30

Lunch and Networking

13.30 - 14.45

Theme 2 – Managing Growth and Structural Change

Wałbrzych, Poland

Rebuilding After Collapse: Restoring Economy and Workforce

Arkadiusz Grudzien, Chief Executive Officer of InVałbrzych, City of Wałbrzych

Following the closure of coal mining, Wałbrzych has rebuilt its economy by attracting new industries and reskilling its workforce. The experience demonstrates how longterm efforts can restore jobs and local confidence.

Skellefteå, Sweden

From Boom to Adjustment: Navigating Rapid Growth and Sudden Change

Kristina Sundin Jonsson, Municipality Director, City of Skellefteå

Rapid growth driven by green industry has created pressure on housing, skills and infrastructure, followed by periods of adjustment. The case highlights lessons from one of Europe’s most dramatic societal transformations.

14.45 - 15.15

Coffee Break and Networking

15.15 - 16.30

Theme 3 – Building the Future Economy

Fundão, Portugal

Competing Without Scale: Attracting Talent Beyond Major Cities

Michaela Gil, European Affairs Officer, City of Fundão

Fundão demonstrates how a small city can attract talent and build a digital economy. The case highlights how skills, housing and quality of life create growth without metropolitan scale.

Košice, Slovakia

Building a Second Economy: Expanding Beyond Industry

Miso Hudak, Director of Business Strategy at Business Košice, City of Košice

Košice presents how new sectors can grow alongside an industrial base. By linking universities, business and innovation, the city strengthens its tech economy and talent retention.

16.30 - 17.00

Closing Session and presentation of the CITE Declaration

The New European Bauhaus brings innovation, ambition and creativity together. It calls on all Europeans to imagine and build a sustainable and inclusive future that is beautiful for our eyes, minds, and souls.

The New European Bauhaus brings innovation, ambition and creativity together. It calls on all Europeans to imagine and build a sustainable and inclusive future that is beautiful for our eyes, minds, and souls.

Visit the New European Bauhaus website

© Skellefteå kommun 2026

© Skellefteå kommun 2026