ISTANBUL – The United nations Progress Program (UNDP) in Europe and Central Asia today launched City Imaginarium, a regional creative campaign designed to inspire reimagined urban futures across the region.Unveiled on World Cities Day 2025, the initiative invites artists and communities to envision greener, more inclusive, and more resilient cities.
Facing challenges including climate change, demographic shifts, economic transitions, and rising inequalities, City Imaginarium leverages art and storytelling as catalysts for change. The campaign features 11 original illustrations and a “Voices from the Cities” portrait series, exploring potential urban transformations.
The artworks are guided by four core themes shaping urban development in the region:
- Circular Cities: Focusing on waste reduction and resource renewal.
- Energy resilience: Promoting cleaner, affordable, and climate-safe energy systems.
- Inclusive and Livable cities: Prioritizing safer, accessible, and gender-responsive urban spaces.
- Digital Urban Futures: Ensuring technology enhances participation and serves the needs of citizens.
Supported by 11 countries and territories - spanning from Montenegro to Uzbekistan – City Imaginarium will be showcased through exhibitions in Kazakhstan, Kosovo[1], Georgia, and other locations, alongside an online gallery accessible at https://undpeurasia.exposure.co/cityimaginarium.
City imaginarium builds upon UNDP’s existing work with partners to foster sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities throughout Europe and Central Asia. The campaign is further supported by initiatives including the city Experiment Fund,Mayors for Economic Growth, Greening the Future, Urban resilience, and creative-lab “ARTurduuluk” (Art4Diversity).
[1] references to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).
