City-University Partnerships (CUPs) for Climate Urban Transformation: The Case of Valencia, Spain

Valencia’s pursuit of climate transformation has forged strategic alliances with crucial city stakeholders, with a focal point being the symbiotic partnership with the university. This commentary provides a comprehensive analysis of city-university partnerships (CUPs), with a focus on the collaborative endeavours between Valencia and the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV). Through an examination of the initiatives carried out by this CUP toward strengthening their collaborative potential, this study delves into the critical components that drove the success of the CUPs in Valencia, as well as its challenges. In the city administration, transformative elements such as the urban strategy, climate mission adoption, and collaborative governance for urban policies take centre stage. These initiatives underscore Valencia’s commitment to sustainable urban development and climate mission-oriented innovation. Concurrently, the analysis delves into UPV’s role, highlighting initiatives such as living labs and innovative research and education paradigms that contribute to the city’s sustainability agenda. This study contributes significantly to the discourse on CUPs, urban transition studies, and mission-oriented governance, offering valuable insights into effective urban climate strategies. Identifying city policymakers’ priorities, opportunities, and desired solutions for climate action research and innovation lays the groundwork for ongoing optimization of CUPs for sustainable urban development, particularly from the municipality’s perspective. Through this examination, policymakers gain a deeper understanding of the possible challenges and mechanisms driving successful CUPs and can leverage these insights to enhance collaborative efforts and accelerate progress toward a more sustainable urban future.