Enhancing the benefits of urban-rural linkages

The Policy Learning Platform wil host an online workshop on November 14 from 14:00 to 17:00 CET, focusing on the essential connections between urban and rural areas.

As urban and rural regions often operate under different administrative and policy frameworks, this workshop aims to explore strategies and governance principles that foster urban-rural partnerships for integrated planning.

We will discuss the benefits of enhanced urban-rural cooperation, including sustainable land use, improved public services, and effective natural resource management. Participants will hear about good practices and activities that European regions and municipalities have implemented to strengthen collaboration and promote integrated territorial development.

During this online event, you will have the opportunity to engage with innovative strategies and contribute to creating cohesive, functional areas that benefit all citizens.

What to expect 

Session I - Territorial development and integration 

Keynote speech 

• Capital Region Berlin-Brandenburg: Formal and informal spatial planning approaches addressing a large functional urban area by Dr. Jürgen Neumüller from the Joint Spatial Planning Department Berlin- Brandenburg (Germany) 

Presentations

• The Development Strategy of the Silesian Voivodeship and the urban-rural link by Paulina Czernek from the Marshal’s Office of the Silesian Voivodeship, Poland. (PICOBELLO, Interreg Europe project)

Silesia works on the transition towards a modern European region with a competitive economy providing opportunities for development for its inhabitants and offering a high quality of life in a clean environment 

• Territorial integration through sport by Jean-Baptiste Gougeon from France Active Nouvelle Aquitaine, France. (CASPER, Interreg Europe project) – TBC

The initiative seeks to reinvigorate rural communities by importing urban skills and fostering a sense of belonging and community engagement through sport. 

• Rural-urban linkages in the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy of the Southern Region of Ireland by Eoin O’Connor from the Southern Regional Assembly, Ireland. (PROXIMITIES, Interreg Europe project) 

The Strategy is a comprehensive 12-year strategic development framework that aims to guide the physical, economic, and social development of the Southern Region of Ireland. 

Interactive discussion and Q&A 

Break

Session II - Wellbeing and Sustainable Development

Keynote speech

• Sustainable rural-urban development and eco-systems services by Marcin Spyra from the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Sustainable landscape development, Germany. (RENATUR, Interreg Europe project) 

Presentations

• Supporting young farmers to get started by Daniel Alexandri from the National Meteorological Administration, Romania. (Down to Earth, Interreg Europe project)
   
• Tartu smart bike share by Sven Tobreluts from the Association of Municipalities of Tartu County, Estonia. (UrbanCOOP, Interreg Europe project) 

Smart Bikes is part of the Smart City way of thinking to reduce the number of cars maintaining the “15 minutes to anywhere” phenomena in Tartu 

• 2030 plan for the future of the Horta Sud region by Jorge Boronat Vazquéz from Horta Sud Region, Spain. (UrbanCOOP, Interreg Europe project) 

The plan aims to tackle the reconstruction of the region from a sustainable and cooperative point of view in which all entities participate for the future. 

Interactive discussion and Q&A 

Plenary session

Key lessons learned from the two sessions in an interactive format and conclusions. 

Online policy expert helpdesk 

From 16:30 to 17:00 CET, the experts for a Europe closer to citizen are available to discuss specific needs and policy challenges during a 10-minute online policy helpdesk meeting. You can indicate your interest and topic of discussion in the registration form below. 

Register below