Applied Research Projects, conducted under the ESPON 2013 Programme, create European wide, comparable information and evidence on territorial potentials and challenges focusing on opportunities for success for the development of regions and cities. The first Interim Reports of two ESPON Projects are now available.

The Interim Reports of the Projects TIPTAP (Territorial Impact Package for Transport and Agricultural Policies) and ReRisk (Regions at Risk of Energy Poverty), have been approved by the ESPON Monitoring Committee on 15 May 2009.

The TIPTAP Interim Report shows progress in developing a robust and fully operational tool for Territorial Impact Assessment. The application of the model for EU Transport and Agricultural policies shows how the scientific modelling can help detecting policy relevant messages with respect to territorial impacts of the respective policies.

The RERISK Interim Report maps for the first time the economic vulnerability of European regions. According to the project findings, differences in regional vulnerability mainly derive from the consumption side. This in turn is defined by the economic base, transport structure, the social situation as well as climate conditions in the different regions and cities in Europe.

Commenting the first results of the projects, Peter Mehlbye, Director of the ESPON Coordination Unit, says: “The ESPON 2013 Programme is now delivering results demanded from the policy development process related to territorial cohesion and development. A practical support to ex-ante assessments of the territorial footprint of EU Policies is in strong demand of policymakers. The first test of a modelling tool can now be discussed by future users at the ESPON Seminar on 5 June 2009”.

“Likewise facts and evidence is highly sought for in predicting regional and local impacts of the current global economic and financial crisis. This is a difficult demand to meet. Detailed data are not yet available that can show the exact development during the last year and a half. However, for the energy sector progress has been made in measuring the regional economic vulnerability of this sector which could become helpful for regions in shaping their response to impacts of the global economic challenges.”

The TIPTAP project, produced by Polytechnics of Milan - DIG as Lead Partner and the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and the VU University Amsterdam as Project Partners, shall deliver its Draft Final Report on 31 July 2009 and its Final Report on 31 October 2009.

The RERISK Project, produced by INNOBASQUE as Lead Partner and Nordregio and National Technical University of Athens as Project Partners, shall deliver its Draft Final Report on 31 March 2010 and its Final Report on 31 July 2010.

The Interim Reports, as well as all background documents, are available for free downloading at
the ESPON Website www.espon.eu

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Author:

ESPON Coordination Unit

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

25-May-09

Categories:

Espon 

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