2015-2016

A key component of the project during 2015-2016 was the selection of cities.This was based on objective criteria including size, socio-economic structure, location, urban geography, urban development stage, existing ties with India and China, energy efficiency, mobility, etc. Also the involvement of potential candidates in EU initiatives (e.g. RegioStars, URBACT, INTERREG, EU Green Cities, Smart Cities & Communities, etc.) was taken into consideration. In coordination with DG REGIO, the project team invited 28 European regions and cities to participate at the venture. Eightof them were chosen (Copenhagen, Dublin, West Midlands, Stuttgart, Lyon, Barcelona, Lazio and Warsaw – later replaced by Andalucía Smart City Cluster).

The Chinese cities and regions were chosen by the National Development and Reform Commission in a top-down approach.

Cities in India were chosen by DG REGIO in coordination with the World Cities team and the Delegation of the European Union to India.

City Pairings 2015-2016:

EU – China

EU – India