What if the solution to our most pressing urban challenges was right over our heads?

— Author: Virginie Verstraete (OASC)

On 28–29 January 2026, in Fundão, Portugal, Virginie Verstraete and Gert Hilgers, representing OASC, took part in the OASC Annual Conference to showcase the MultiRoofs project,  how the project could play a key role in helping cities to align urban planning, sustainability goals and digital innovation.

What is the OASC Conference?

The OASC Conference 2026 is the flagship annual event of Open & Agile Smart Cities (OASC), a MultiRoofs' Partner. The 2026 edition of the OASC Conference took place in Fundão, Portugal  and explored how funded projects — from European programmes such as Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, and Interregional Innovation Investments, to national and regional initiatives — are shaping the future of digital public services and infrastructure.

Why MultiRoofs?

Amidst a gathering of 125 international digital experts and city leaders, Gert and Virginie took to the stage to present the Interreg Northwest-Europe MultiRoofs project.

They showed how the project could empower cities to transform these "forgotten" spaces into vibrant, multipurpose areas that serve the community and the planet.

Whether it is for renewable energy production, creating social hubs or even integrating innovative housing functions, the potential is limitless.

They highlighted the MultiRoofs digital tool, which allows municipalities to:

●      see the multifunctional options for specific rooftops.

●      balance competing needs like solar panels versus green spaces or social areas.

●      turn climate goals into tangible, rooftop-by-rooftop realities.

All participants were invited to join MultiRoofs, via the communication tools and via the upcoming training sessions, as it’s about future-proofing cities. By participating, people gain access to a network of pioneers and a digital toolkit that makes "impossible" transformations achievable.