Network news
Planning for growth what can we learn from Europe?
The ESPON-INTERSTAT conference Planning for growth - what can we learn from Europe? took place on 30 September 2011, and speakers presentations are now available online. Conference Chair, Richard Summers (RTPI President 2011) concluded that the event achieved its aims of sharing research and experience across Europe to enrich spatial planning policies at the national, regional and local levels.
Partner finding
The latest ESPON call closes on 20 October 2011. The ESPON Partner Café facilitates partner finding and the creation of transnational project groups. The ESPON Partner Café LinkedIn group allows potential partners to discuss the call and find other interested parties.
If you are interested in participating in the call, and would like us to include you on our Partner Finding web pages and pass your details to the rest of the ESPON Contact Point network, email your contact details and the project you are interested in to research@rtpi.org.uk. It is also useful to indicate whether you are interested in being a lead partner.
We have had expressions of interest from organisations in countries such as the Czech Republic, Belgium, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Portugal, Slovakia, Switzerland and Romania. Information on these potential partners is shown on our Partner Finding web pages.
New ESPON newsletter
The latest ESPON newsletter is now available. The newsletter highlights the current call, new applied research projects and recently published reports as well as upcoming events. It also outlines the map of the month which shows the socio-economic situation across Europe by benchmarking each region against the European average.
Innovation Union competitiveness report
The EU is slowly making progress towards its 3% of GDP R&D target. However, there is a widening gap between the EU and its world competitors, partly due to weaker business R&D investment. This report monitors progress towards the EUs R&D target and provides evidence and analysis to underpin EU and national policy making. Read the full report.
Cohesion Policy post 2013
The European Parliament has published a Comparative study on the visions and options for Cohesion Policy after 2013. The report, based on ESPON data and findings, provides a critical analysis of Cohesion Policy reform options and an assessment of the policys strengths and weaknesses. It concludes that the territorial dimension of cooperation should be strengthened by a number of factors including a requirement that a supportive policy framework be established by Member States to facilitate cross-border cooperation.
ESPON project factsheets
The UK ECP has produced factsheets highlighting a number of ESPON projects. The aims and main outputs to date of ATTREG, KIT, SeGi and CAEE are all now outlined and are available on the UK ESPON Contact Point website along with summary reports from many other completed and ongoing projects from the ESPON 2013 Programme.
Innovation and planning for growth
Regions can be important catalysts for innovation. Cliff Hagues recent blog on Planning for growth - innovation looks at how competitiveness and innovation can be built into the planning system, and planning for growth in particular.
Calls for papers
Regional Studies Association European conference 2012
The RSA European conference 2012 will consider networked regions and cities in times of fragmentation developing smart, sustainable and inclusive places. The event takes place in Delft, the Netherlands, from 13-16 May 2012. Papers are welcomed on a number of issues relating to the conference topic. Read the call for further details or contact Elizabeth Mitchell (events@rsa-ls.ac.uk) for more information.
Other publications
Latest Panorama magazine published
The autumn edition of Panorama magazine is now available and focuses on the role of regional policy in helping Member States reach the EUs 2020 Strategy objectives, delivering high levels of employment, productivity and social cohesion. Download the magazine.
URBACT projects publish results
Twenty URBACT projects have recently completed their work looking for effective and sustainable solutions to major urban challenges. Projects include MyGeneration, which studied strategies aimed at promoting the potential of younger citizens, and HerO, which focused on the opportunities of heritage. View the projects' results online.
Entrepreneurial potential not fully exploited in Europe
According to a recent Eurobarometer survey, 45% of Europeans would like to run their own business, but only around 10% are actually self-employed. The core message of the new integrated industrial policy for the globalisation era is that industry must be placed centre stage if Europe is to remain a global economic leaderand that local and regional authorities have a key role in promoting entrepreneurship across Europe. Read more.
Other events
Eurocities 2011 planning for people
The Eurocities 2011 conference is being held in Genoa, Italy, from 2-5 November 2011 and will consider the topic of planning for people. Speakers include Renzo Piano and Paul Bevan, Secretary General of Eurocities. Register to attend.
CityMobil innovative solutions for urban transport
CityMobil, a research project looking at the integration of automated transport systems in the urban environment, is celebrating the end of its five-year programme with a conference to outline some of its findings. The conference takes place in Brussels on 1 December 2011, and you can now register online to attend.
Regional development and growth
Westminster Business Forum is holding a seminar in London on 6 December 2011 which will look at regional development and growth. The seminar will bring together numerous stakeholders to assess the Governments current strategy for promoting development and growth. The agenda will provide an opportunity to consider the role of Local Enterprise Partnerships, looking in particular at how they can facilitate business growth. http://www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/forums/event.php?eid=358">Book a place at the seminar.
Multinational strategies, networks and regional development
This two-day workshop is being held in Rotterdam in the Netherlands from 15-16 December 2011. The event is sponsored by the Regional Studies Association, and aims to present and discuss research findings on the effect of trade, investments and labour mobility on the performance of urban systems. Find out more.
Back to All Bulletins
Back to Network Homepage
Twitter
Facebook
Linked In
Flickr