Upscaling Workshop Explores Long-Term Integration of Climate Tools

UP2030 has entered a new and exciting chapter,  the upscaling phase,  where cities move from visioning to implementation. This month, the City of Muenster, one of UP2030’s pilot cities, took a bold step forward by hosting a hands-on Upscaling Workshop with 30 municipal staff members.

The aim? To embed the Guideline for Climate-Just Transition of Existing Urban Districts, developed by Buro Happold, into Muenster’s ongoing Climate City Process and spark discussions about future-proofing and expanding the approach.

Phase 1: Context and Alignment

The workshop began with a deep dive into Muenster’s existing urban climate tools, offering participants a structured view of the instruments already in use. The UP2030 guideline was then introduced, sparking conversations about how it fits into and enhances existing strategies.

Phase 2: Marketplace for Collaboration

Participants engaged in an interactive “marketplace” format, where they rotated between various thematic stations to learn more about the tools and speak directly with their coordinators. This hands-on format fostered peer learning, identified overlapping efforts, and revealed opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration.

Phase 3: Scaling the Vision

The day wrapped up with a forward-looking discussion on:

• Strategies for scaling the guideline city-wide

• Opportunities for digitisation and user-friendly tools

• Sustainable integration into Münster’s administrative processes

• Broadening the target groups and application areas

Muenster’s workshop reflects a broader trend within UP2030: ensuring that pilot innovations are not one-off experiments, but become institutionalised practices embedded in how cities operate. By focusing on integration and long-term viability, Muenster is paving the way for durable, climate-just urban transformation.

As more cities take up the challenge, UP2030 remains a collective platform where local innovation meets shared ambition and where urban transformation becomes a tangible reality.