Lessons from Moderating the Scalable Cities Program Finale in Lyon

Aug 28, 2025 - Lyon, France

Three Mast Group had the pleasure of helping to organize and moderate a large component of the final event for Scalable Cities, a flagship European Commission initiative that has been shaping urban climate action for the past decade. Held in the city of Lyon, France, the event marked the culmination of a 10-year journey dedicated to enabling cities to share knowledge, test solutions, and scale up their most impactful climate innovations.

What Is the Scalable Cities Program?

Scalable Cities is part of the European Commission’s Smart Cities and Communities Lighthouse initiative, which set out to accelerate the deployment of climate-friendly urban solutions through cross-city collaboration. Since its launch, the program has brought together 74 cities across 23 grant-funded projects, ranging from renewable energy pilots to new mobility models and circular economy initiatives.

The goal was simple but ambitious: to transform European cities into living labs, where integrated, replicable, and scalable climate solutions could be tested—and then shared.

Over the last decade, these cities co-developed 22 in-depth expert reports, hosted hundreds of events and working groups, and built up a knowledge base that spans every aspect of urban sustainability—from positive energy districts and decarbonized transport systems to waste reduction and circular construction.

Fostering Conversations That Matter

During the weeklong event, Three Mast Group had the privilege of interviewing multiple finance specialists, city representatives, and program managers on stage, exploring their firsthand experiences in building more sustainable cities.

An entire day was focused on discussions surrounding decarbonized urban mobility, a topic that touches everything from electric buses and active mobility infrastructure to low-emission zones and behavior change strategies. These city leaders shared hard-won insights about the political, technical, and financial hurdles they face—and how they’re overcoming them through collaboration and experimentation.

In the final keynote panel, Three Mast Group moderated a session with climate finance, governance, and innovation experts, asking a fundamental question: Are the right business models and financial mechanisms in place to scale up positive energy districts and other climate solutions across Europe? Their responses revealed both progress and persistent gaps—from the difficulty of bundling small projects for large investors to the need for clearer regulatory frameworks and technical capacity within municipalities.

A Glimpse into Lyon’s Sustainable Future

Beyond the conference sessions, we also had the chance to explore Part-Dieu, one of Lyon’s most ambitious urban renewal zones. The neighborhood is being transformed into a multimodal transport hub, integrating high-speed rail, metro, buses, cycling infrastructure, and pedestrian-friendly public spaces.

Lyon has long been a leader in sustainable mobility, and seeing this project firsthand underscored the critical role that urban design and infrastructure play in shaping low-carbon lifestyles.

We wrapped up the week with a cocktail reception at Lyon’s historic city hall with keynote comments from the mayor, a fitting setting to celebrate the dedication and creativity of everyone who contributed to Scalable Cities over the past decade.

Looking Ahead

As the European Commission and national governments prepare the next wave of urban climate programs and investments, the lessons from Scalable Cities will be invaluable. The initiative didn’t just pilot new technologies--it helped identify the institutional, social, and financial conditions that determine whether those technologies will take root and grow.

If Europe is to meet its climate targets, we’ll need more than innovation. We’ll need replication at scale. And that means continuing to empower cities to lead the way, with the right tools, partners, and knowledge in hand.