ESPON UK Network Bulletin 14/2011

Network news

ESPON-INTERSTRAT conference report available

The conference report from the UK ESPON Contact Points Planning for Growth conference is now available online. The report gives an overview of the day and highlights the main points of discussion. Presentations from the event are also available.

Unlocking growth in cities using ESPON data

The Coalition Government recently published a new document entitled Unlocking Growth in Cities which highlights the critical role of cities in driving economic growth. The report makes specific reference to the ESPON SGPTD project which is looking at the opportunities and prospects for secondary cities.

Boosting Europes creativity

The European Commission has unveiled a new 'Creative Europe' programme designed to boost cultural and creative industries which provide a significant number of jobs across Europe. The fifth publication in ESPON's 'Territorial Dynamics' series focuses on the creative workforce and supports the Commissions aim, stating that regions with high concentrations of creative and cultural industries have Europes highest prosperity levels.

Central role for social sciences in Europe

In a speech at the British Academy, the European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, has highlighted the importance of the social sciences and humanities and outlined their central role in Horizon 2020, the new European research funding programme. Read the Commissioner's speech.

Progress report on economic, social and territorial cohesion

The Seventh progress report on economic, social and territorial cohesion has been published by the European Commission. The report assesses how, in the context of cohesion policy, regions and cities can contribute to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. It highlights the importance of cities having an active role in the development of growth strategies.

Is the EU on a sustainable development path?

EUROSTAT has published the highlights from its 2011 Monitoring Report of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy. Eleven headline indicators are outlined in the document, which suggests that progress has been mixed. While the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion has fallen, there have been unfavourable changes in the employment of older workers and the production of wealth from use of natural resources. Read the report.

Fully funded trip to Germany available

Local Skills for Biodiversityis a European Project, majority financed by the Leonardo da Vinci fund for transfer of innovation. It is focused primarily on skills for local authority planners, helping them to better plan for biodiversity and ecosystems. There are 7 partners (one being the Yorkshire and Humber Environment Trust) in 5 countries, and the project is ready to test the emerging training product. An event is being held on 25-27 January, south of Hamburg in Germany, with an international audience of practitioners who can:

• learn about the work and get a sense of how it might be applicable to their own work;
• help to refine the product and make it more useful to all concerned;
• become part of a tentative international network of practitioners able to share knowledge and take the agenda of the project forward.

There is one fully funded place available. If you are interested please email sonia@yhenvironment.org for further information.  

Urban and regional policy fellowships

The German Marshall Fund of the United States grants a number of fellowships each year through the Urban and Regional Policy Programme. Fellowships are not intended for academic research, but for individuals seeking to gather information that relates to specific social, economic, or physical challenges in their home communities. In 2012, the Advisory Committee is particularly interested in applications that focus on social issues such as affordable housing and social inclusion. The deadline for applications is 31 January 2012.

Calls for papers

Exchanging ideas on Europe 2012

The Academic Association for Contemporary European Studies (UACES) holds its 42nd annual conference in Passau, Germany from 3-5 September 2012. Papers are welcomed on all areas of contemporary European Studies from academic disciplines including economics, public policy and geography, and should be submitted by 20 January 2012.

Other publications

Latest ESPON project publications

A number of ESPON projects have recently produced reports. ESPON Climates Final Report is now available which states that, although the European economic core will be less affected than other areas, climate change poses a threat to the energy sector throughout Europe. Have a look at our list of ESPON projects for all the latest reports.

TIGER is our project of the month

The ESPON project, TIGER (Territorial Impact of Globalisation on Europe and its Regions), is our new project of the month! The project is looking at globalisation from a territorial perspective, and is focused on analysing networks and flows within and between cities. Find out more about what the UK team is doing in Kathy Pain's presentation from the recent TIGER seminar at the University of Reading.

Strengthening education to build social cohesion

The INCLUD-ED project consortium, led by the University of Barcelona, has suggested that educational inequalities increase the risk of poverty, social exclusion, and waste valuable human resources in the labour market. The projects researchers are looking at educational strategies that could help reinforce social cohesion throughout Europe. Find out more or read the policy brief.

Expansion of Europes protected natural areas

Natura 2000, the EUs network of protected areas, has been expanded. Almost 18, 000km² have been added, including marine areas covering 17, 000km² which will increase protection for many endangered marine species. In the UK, 13 marine sites have been added, both offshore and inshore. Nine of the sites host important cold water reefs, while seven are designated for sandbank habitats. Read the European Commissions memo for more details on the new Natura 2000 sites.

Other events

Regional Studies Association annual European conference 2012

The RSA's European conference is being held in Delft, Netherlands, from 14-16 May 2012 and will focus on networked regions and cities in times of fragmentation. Registration is now open.

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