The City of Turin has been proclaimed European Capital of Innovation 2024 (iCapital), a prestigious recognition that rewards its ability to transform complex urban challenges into opportunities for sustainable and inclusive innovation. The appointment came on November 13 in Lisbon during the Web Summit, in the presence of Mayor Stefano Lo Russo and Councilor for Innovation Chiara Foglietta , who saw the vision of Turin as a city at the forefront of urban innovation confirmed.
In a competition that saw our city surpass the finalists Espoo (Finland) and the West Midlands (United Kingdom), Turin convinced the jury thanks to leading initiatives such as Torino City Lab, a platform created for advanced urban experimentation and enriched since 2021 with CTE Next – House of Emerging Technologies, and Torino Social Impact, focused on the social impact of technological change.
Mayor Lo Russo commented: “Being recognized as the European Capital of Innovation is an extraordinary source of pride for us and an incentive to continue to work and do even better, also strengthened by the recognition obtained from the European Union for the efforts we have made. This is an extraordinary result for the entire Municipality of Turin, for the team that worked on this project and for all the stakeholders who helped us build this huge success. We will continue to work to outline a vision of the future that has citizens and communities always at the center of innovative processes. Innovation is a powerful tool for creating fairer, more sustainable and livable environments. Thanks to new technologies and urban planning, it is possible to improve both the quality of life of citizens and the levels of public service by turning our attention to sustainability, energy efficiency, communications and emergency management. This truly exceptional day for Turin will also be a great motivation for the work still to be done in the future“.
Councillor Foglietta added: “Our city has been able to show a global approach to experimentation and innovation, leveraging its rich history and ecosystem to address present and future urban challenges. Turin has developed a range of innovative solutions, from smart city technologies to social innovation initiatives, and has placed a particular focus on collaboration, inclusivity and environmental issues.”
After the signing of the “Climate Contract” with the European Union in Strasbourg last month, with the achievement of the EU Mission Label reserved for the 100 pioneer cities for climate neutrality by 2030, the international recognition of the iCapital award aligns Turin with leading cities such as Paris and Barcelona, offering a new impetus to Turin’s innovation network.
In the year in which our city was also the Italian Capital of Corporate Culture, this further confirmation is only the beginning of an ambitious path, with the goal and commitment made by the administration and local actors, public and private, to work together for a more sustainable future that integrates perfectly with the award-winning initiatives in the field of innovation.
