FutureECOS

Regions located between outside national growth poles face challenges and opportunities in future-proofing their economies. Their strength is to revitalise attractiveness in housing and living space, when competing with metropolitan growth poles. An integrated, accessible territorial approach to housing and living space groups digitalisation (smart design/housing/regions), with environment (sustainable living space) and social concerns (quality housing, inclusiveness, health, leisure).

This is the concept of “Future-proof living spaces” promoted by FutureECOS. It requires multi-level/sectoral implementation at policy and practical level, interactions between public authorities and effective cooperation with stakeholders and different demographic groups of citizens. Regional development must align with spatial planning, R&D, climate strategies and social plans.

8 partners representing 6 growth corridor territories come together in this exciting new project, to take on the challenge of future-proofing living space, through integrated development strategies developed through cooperation of public and private actors and citizens. Together they promote interregional and regional learning, also building on experiences from the pandemic, on: environmental, economic and social implications and requirements for future-proof living space; socio-geographic position of growth corridor regions; multi-sector/ level policy construction and implementation models that engage citizens in a democratic process of designing future proof living spaces.

In line with the objectives of the New European Bauhaus (NEB), to connect the Green Deal to living spaces and experiences, partners seek concrete change to policy instruments that have the capacity to boost smart, sustainable and inclusive development in their unique territories. Having achieved such change, they monitor the potentially significant impact of policy changes for future-proof living on regional development parameters.