The Time Use Initiative took part in the international meeting on time policies held between 9th and 13th May at the Italian city of Bolzano, World Capital of Time Policies. The Time Week, an event aimed at giving visibility to local initiatives on time issues, has been attended by institutions that integrate the European Time4All project, of which the TUI is a promoter organisation.
In addition, the meeting involved representatives of public institutions from Belgium, Austria, Italy, France, Germany, and Greece. Regarding Catalan institutions, it counted with the presence of cities such as Barcelona, Lleida, and Terrassa, and the representation of the Government of Catalonia, the Barcelona Provincial Council and the Barcelona Metropolitan Area.
During the event, different debates and inspiration cases were exchanged, analysing issues such as adapting urban times to the different needs. For example, a key debate was the organisation of the city’s nighttime, both in terms of guaranteeing the well-being of night workers, and in terms of ensuring citizen’s leisure, rest, and safety during the night. Inspiration cases were also shown with regard to access to municipal services through digitisation, proximity, and mobility. Another key aspect the Italian Time Week reflected upon was working time: new models of work; four-day working hours; balancing remote and on-site work; and the new challenges facing the labour market, among others.
Regarding the Network of Local and Regional Governments for Time Policies, the event further strengthened ties between institutions. Also, holding a meeting in the Italian context, where historically pioneered on urban time policies, was also useful in order to establish new relations with Bologna or Trento, cities facing similar challenges. The Network’s joint project was also strengthened by the presence of the French city of Strasbourg, which was proposed as the new World Capital of Time Policies for 2024, if agreed by the Network’s General Assembly the upcoming October.
