Dates: 19–20 November 2026
Format: Hybrid (In-Person across Lisbon, Barcelona, Wrocław & Online)
Application Deadline: Friday, 6 November 2026
Organized By: Universidade de Lisboa (ULisboa), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTECH (UPC), and Wrocław University of Science and Technology (WroclawTech) under the Unite!Widening project.
Transforming Urban Spaces Through Health and Biotech Innovation
As European cities navigate the impacts of climate transition, urban environments face unprecedented challenges. Rising temperature extremes, heavy carbon footprints from personal mobility and domestic heating, and strained municipal services all place direct pressure on public health and citizen well-being. Intermediate cities, in particular, require innovative, scientifically grounded, and scalable solutions tailored to local resources and real-world needs.
To meet these challenges head-on, the Unite!Widening project invites thinkers, creators, and innovators from across Europe to participate in the Tri-City Hackathon: Biotechnology & Health Innovation for Healthier, More Liveable and Resilient Cities.
This 48-hour hybrid event connects three European innovation hubs—Lisbon, Barcelona, and Wrocław—to explore how biotechnology, digital health, biomaterials, environmental biotech, and engineering can turn climate transition into an opportunity for healthier urban living.
The Theme: Urban Space as Enabling Infrastructure
What if our streets, plazas, and public spaces weren’t just car-dominated corridors, but active engines for health, decarbonization, and community resilience?
The Tri-City Hackathon challenges participants to rethink urban public infrastructure as a regenerative, shared commons. Teams will design and prototype applied solutions across several critical areas, including:
- Biosensors & Diagnostics: Early detection and monitoring of environmental health hazards.
- Environmental Biotech & Circular Solutions: Transforming domestic appliances and urban organic waste streams into net-zero or carbon-capturing systems.
- Biomaterials & Urban Design: Re-engineering public spaces to mitigate extreme weather and reduce municipal maintenance burdens.
- Digital Health & Sustainable Mobility: Redesigning supply chains and citizen habits to cut transport emissions and boost quality of life.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own ideas or tackle real-world problem statements framed by participating municipalities and industry leaders.
Powered by the Quadruple Helix
This hackathon bridges the gap between research and real-world application by assembling key actors across the Quadruple Helix:
- Academia: ULisboa, UPC, and WroclawTech bringing scientific rigor and technical expertise.
- Municipalities & Regional Agencies: Public leaders (including Viladecans) defining urgent local urban challenges.
- Business & Innovation Ecosystems: Incubators and entrepreneurship hubs like Can Calderón, Lispolis, Wroclaw Technology Park and ARAW supporting scalable business models.
- Society & Citizens: Passionate individuals, students, NGOs, and community groups ensuring solutions remain human-centered and inclusive.
Why to participate
- Go International: Collaborate in a multi-hub hybrid environment alongside peers and experts from Portugal, Spain, Poland, and across Europe.
- Solve Real Challenges: Work directly with “Problem Framers”—municipal and industry experts actively seeking solutions to implement in real cities.
- Expand Your Network: Connect with researchers, bioengineers, urban planners, developers, and entrepreneurs.
- Accelerate Your Skills: Master rapid prototyping, data-driven solution design, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and high-impact pitching.
Who can join?
The hackathon is open to anyone passionate about building better cities:
- Students & Researchers across health, biotech, engineering, architecture, and social sciences
- Startups, SMEs & Innovators
- Municipal & Public Utility Professionals
- Regional Development Agencies & NGOs
- Engaged Citizens & Urban Activists
Event Details & Hub Locations
- Dates: November 19, 2026 (starts 09:30 CEST) – November 20, 2026 (ends 19:30 CEST)
- On-Site Locations:
- Barcelona Hub: Can Calderón (Carrer d’Andorra, 64, 08840 Viladecans, BCN)
- Lisbon Hub: TTC@ULisboa (Av. Prof. Gama Pinto 2, 1649-003 Lisbon)
- Wrocław Hub: WroclawTech, Building L-3 (Na Grobli Street 12, 50-421 Wrocław)
- Online Participation: Virtual access available for remote participants globally.
Important Capacity Notice: On-site participation is strictly limited to 30 participants per location, and online participation is capped at 30 participants on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ready to Build the Future of Healthy Cities?
Registration closes on Friday, November 6, 2026. Secure your spot today to help shape healthier, more resilient, and decarbonized urban environments across Europe.
