The CliMobility City Lab Hackathon brought together innovators, experts, and local stakeholders for three intensive days dedicated to developing innovative urban mobility solutions for the city of Vlora, with a strong focus on reducing heat stress and building a more climate-resilient urban environment.
Day 1
Organised within the framework of the CliMobility City Lab initiative, the hackathon created a collaborative space where participants worked closely with mentors and experts to design practical solutions addressing the challenges of sustainable urban mobility and the urban heat island effect.
The programme opened with remarks from representatives of ALBICT, GIZ, WB Adapt, EU4Innovation, SUTI, and the Deputy Minister of Economy & Innovation, highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration and innovation in addressing climate-related urban challenges.
Throughout the hackathon, participants engaged in a series of expert-led workshops and mentoring sessions covering topics such as AI and data analytics for climate monitoring, nature-based solutions, inclusive urban design, and sustainable mobility systems. Discussions also explored how gender-sensitive and accessible urban planning can contribute to creating cities that work better for all citizens, particularly vulnerable groups.
Day 2
On the second day, participants gained further insights into innovative approaches to urban mobility through sessions focused on mobility hubs, parklets, and street redesign, while also receiving practical guidance on pitching and communicating their ideas effectively. One-on-one mentoring and consultation sessions supported teams in refining their concepts and transforming them into actionable proposals.
The hackathon concluded with 11 teams presenting their solutions to a jury, showcasing bold ideas aimed at improving urban mobility and climate adaptation in Vlora. Following the evaluation process, three teams were selected to advance into the acceleration phase, each receiving €5,000 in support to further develop their solutions.
Beyond the competition itself, the initiative demonstrated the growing role of collaborative innovation in addressing local environmental and urban development challenges. By combining expertise from mobility, climate adaptation, technology, and urban planning, the CliMobility City Lab contributes to creating more sustainable and resilient cities in Albania.
CliMobility City Lab is powered by GIZ through EU4Innovation, Green Agenda: Supporting Climate Change Adaptation in the Western Balkans, and Sustainable Urban Transport in Albania. The initiative is funded by the European Union and the German Government through the Regional Climate Partnership in the Western Balkans, and implemented by ALBICT and Layer in partnership with the Municipality of Vlora.
