LAUDS Factories Final Event - Factories in the City
On 12th, 13th and 14th October 2026, the final LAUDS Factories project event "Factories in the City" will take place in Nancy, France, bringing together researchers, industry, policymakers, and practitioners to explore the future of urban manufacturing, collaborative production ecosystems, and community-driven local innovation.
Sign up to the public talks and demos open to everyone on 13th October and/or to the private meeting open only to NEB sister projects on 14th October. Select the options via the registration form below.
How can manufacturing contribute to more sustainable, innovative, and resilient cities?
Hosted by Université de Lorraine, the Lorraine Smart Cities Living Lab, and the Lorraine Fab Living Lab (LF2L), this two-day event will bring together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, practitioners, and students to explore new approaches to urban manufacturing and collaborative production ecosystems.
Key highlights include:
• Expert talks and project presentations
• Live demonstrations and exhibitions from LAUDS factories and hybrid teams
• Insights into open and collaborative urban manufacturing ecosystems
• Networking opportunities with European partners and sister projects
• Discussions on the future of local, sustainable, and community-driven production
📍 Address: 47-51 Boulevard d'Austrasie, 54000 Nancy, France
📍 Building: Université de Lorraine - LF2L
📅 12 October 2026 - LAUDS review project (consortium meeting) / installation of demonstration units and models
📍 Building: Petite Halle, OCTROI Nancy
📅 13 October 2026 - Public event
📍 Building: Université de Lorraine - LF2L
📅 14 October 2026 - Join forces session
Who is this for?
Makers, fab lab managers, and urban manufacturers. Researchers and academics working on sustainable production. Creative practitioners and entrepreneurs. Students in design, engineering, and urban innovation. Policy makers and local authorities interested in new models of local production.
What you will find?
A live exhibition of prototypes and products developed by LAUDS factories and hybrid teams from across Europe. Demonstrations from 7 LAUDS factories showing different scales and models of urban manufacturing and the 13 Hybrid Teams who developed projects in collaboration with LAUDS factories. Short talks and pitches from project contributors and researchers. Conversations on open, community-driven, and sustainable production ecosystems.
Join us in shaping the future of manufacturing through embedded in cities and connected to communities, all driven by openness and innovation.
Agenda
Over three days, the LAUDS Final Event brings together consortium partners, researchers, makers, public institutions, and industry professionals to share project outcomes, strengthen collaborations, and explore the future of urban manufacturing in Europe.
12th of October - Consortium Meeting (Private)
Open to: LAUDS Factories Consortium + Hybrid Teams + PO and Monitor
Morning
Coordination of logistics and activities for the public event
Building: Petite Halle, OCTROI Nancy
Sustainability planning and preparation for the project's final phase
Building: Université de Lorraine - LF2L
Afternoon
Internal project progress meeting with the Project Officer and the Monitor
Building: Université de Lorraine - LF2L
13th of October – Demonstration Day (Public)
Open to: Everyone
All day
Exhibition of LAUDS projects, factories, and collaborative initiatives
Live demonstrations, short talks, and Q&A sessions
Scientific contributions and discussions on urban manufacturing
Building: Petite Halle, OCTROI Nancy
14th of October – Join Forces Session (Private)
Open to: LAUDS Factories Consortium + NEB Sister Projects + Guests
Morning
“Join Forces” session
Exchange on future projects connected to the different LAUDS factories / Sister Projects outcomes with pitches and discussions how to work on future collaborations
Building: Université de Lorraine - LF2L
How to get there by train
Nancy is easily accessible by rail, with direct TGV connections from Paris in approximately 90 minutes. The city’s main railway station is conveniently located in the city centre, within walking distance of the main venues.
Alternatively, you can travel via Lorraine TGV station and continue to Nancy using the dedicated shuttle service.
If you are planning to explore the region further, regional TER trains provide convenient connections from Nancy to destinations across the Grand Est region, including Metz, Épinal, and Lunéville.
The TER Grand Est map also offers inspiration for extending your stay, featuring more than 100 destinations, itineraries, and ideas for discovering the region.
How to get there by plane
Nancy can be reached via Metz–Nancy Lorraine Airport, located approximately 45 km north of the city and connected by the A31 motorway. A dedicated shuttle service links the airport directly to Nancy, providing a convenient transfer for arriving passengers.
An additional option is Luxembourg Airport, around 120 km from Nancy, offering a wider range of international connections. From Luxembourg, Nancy can be reached by train or road transport.
