YouRban

Urban cocreative, sustainable and inclusive ecosystem, for the reprocessing of reinforced polymers on-the-truck

YouRban is a pioneering initiative that fosters a vibrant urban ecosystem dedicated to the reprocessing and upcycling of materials, with a focus on reinforced polymers from local sources. This project brings together citizens, artists, designers, architects, small-scale producers, artisans, and Urban Factories to create a collaborative environment. It aligns with the New European Bauhaus and the Green Deal, aiming for a balance of aesthetics, environment, sustainability, and inclusion through innovative design and manufacturing. This encourages a rich dialogue across various cultures, disciplines, and demographics.

In two European cities, Milan and Barcelona, both part of the EU’s Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, YouRban establishes a local, flexible production system. This system is underpinned by two pilot projects that leverage a Neighborhood Participatory Approach and Collaborative Digital Tools to design new objects.

This is the Fab Lab Barcelona YouRban Factory.

The Challenge

The widespread use of composite materials like reinforced polymers presents a significant environmental challenge, as these materials are traditionally difficult to recycle and often end up as non-reused waste in the urban environment

Our Solution

YouRban proposes an innovative, co-creative urban initiative focused on the recycling and upcycling of reinforced polymers through decentralized, local production systems. The core of the solution is a mobile recycling plant housed in a truck that tours cities to serve as a community hub for on-the-spot fabrication, real-time material recovery, and hands-on training for the public

Type of Project

Cascade Funding – Horizon Europe Framework Programme

HORIZON-CL4-2023-HUMAN-01-53

Project Number: 101135997

Project Outputs

The project delivers tangible art-inspired urban installations and sustainable products designed from recycled composite materials. Beyond physical objects, the project outputs include comprehensive technical training modules, the YouRban4Learn (Y4L) digital repository, and a toolkit for educators to foster long-term circular economy practices in cities

The Project

YouRban is a co-creative ecosystem that brings together citizens, artists, designers, architects, and small-scale manufacturers to pioneer sustainable solutions for resilient urban environments. Aligned with the New European Bauhaus and the Green Deal, the initiative creates an inclusive space where creativity meets technical innovation to transform local waste into functional public assets.

Operating primarily in Milan and Barcelona, the project utilizes two pilot events to demonstrate a participatory approach to design, leveraging collaborative digital tools and “on-the-truck” recycling technologies. It addresses environmental, social, and economic sustainability by reducing CO2 emissions, fostering social inclusion through community engagement, and opening new market opportunities for European manufacturers.

Our Contribution

The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), through its FabLab Barcelona, acts as a primary Urban Factory and technical anchor for the project’s residency phase. It provides the essential physical workspace and advanced fabrication infrastructure—including CNC milling, 3D printing, and resin processing tools—necessary for participants to transition their concepts into high-quality prototypes.

The IAAC team also provides critical expert mentoring and technical oversight, guiding residents through material testing, mold-making strategies, and structural engineering. Their contribution ensures that the artistic visions of the winners are balanced with feasible fabrication methods, resulting in durable 1:1 scale pieces ready for public exhibition and use

Who is it for?

The project is aimed at European creative minds, specifically artists, designers, citizens, and architects, who wish to shape the future of urban design through sustainable practices. It also serves urban operators, small manufacturers, and artisans by providing them with the technical skills and network needed to adopt circular economy production models.