Network News
EU Territorial Agenda approved
On 19 May 2011, Ministers approved the Territorial Agenda 2020 (TA2020) the most significant framework for territorial cohesion. TA2020 has been developed by the Hungarian Presidency and represents a new, territory-based regional policy based on local features.
RTPI Chief Executive attends ESPON conference
Trudi Elliott, Chief Executive of the RTPI, recently attended the Italian ESPON Conference in Rome. The event focused on sharing different approaches to spatial planning across Europe and highlighted the value of ESPON in aiding planning professionals to develop place-based policy. Trudi's presentation is available online.
ESPON maps of the month
Two new ESPON maps have been produced illustrating internet roll-out across EU regions. The maps show the number of IP addresses in European regions and the number of households with a high speed internet connection. The data on internet roll-out across Europe can be found in ESPON's fourth Territorial Observation report.
Making cities and regions more resilient
Cliff Hague's latest blog focuses on the idea of resilience. Resilience is the ability to absorb change, and the concept can help in managing and reducing the risks to cities and regions of climate change and natural hazards. The growing importance of regional resilience is also highlighted in ESPON's Synthesis Report.
Latest ESPON newsletter published
You can now read the latest ESPON newsletter online. It includes news from recent ESPON events, updates from ongoing ESPON projects and scientific tools.Sign up to the ESPON newsletter here.
SPREAD Sustainable Lifestyles 2050 launched
A new project called SPREAD Sustainable Lifestyles 2050 has just been launched. The project will act as a European social platform addressing issues such as energy, transport, resource use and quality of life. It will bring together current knowledge, experience and stakeholders to clarify and consider the main societal challenges we face in our attempts to live more sustainably. Find out more.
Calls for Papers
Inequality, regional growth and cohesion
A workshop on inequality, regional growth and cohesion is being held in Barcelona on 24-25 November 2011. The event aims to shed light on the determinants of economic and social inequality and its impact on regional growth and cohesion. Papers should be submitted by 15 June 2011. More information is available on the event website.
DG Regio poster competition
DG Regio (the Directorate-General for Regional Policy) is calling for expressions of interest to take part in a high profile poster competition. The competition is open to PhD students and early career researchers working on European regional policy. Finalists will get to present their work at the Open Days event in Brussels (10-13 October 2011) and the overall winner will receive 750. Entries must be submitted by 17 June 2011. Further details can be found here.
Contested regions: territorial politics and policy
The Regional Studies Association (RSA) Winter Conference takes place in London on 25 November 2011.The focus is contested regions: territorial politics and policy and papers are welcomed on a number of themes. Abstracts should be submitted by 4 July 2011. More details and registration information can be found on the conference web page.
Other publications
Panorama magazine published
The latest edition of Panorama magazine is available. It highlights the EUs strategy for continuing to develop a prosperous Danube Region. It also includes interviews with Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, and János Martonyi, the Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs. Read the magazine online.
The changing role of business in society
The financial crisis has raised the subject of corporate social responsibility to the top of the agenda for policy-makers and the general public. European Commission activities are increasingly aimed at promoting responsible business practices throughout the private sector. 'Towards a greater understanding of the changing role of business in society' summarises current thinking on the interaction and cooperation between businesses and their stakeholders. The report outlines the need to build new relationships between the public and private sector.
Evidence on European land use
A workshop aimed at furthering the debate on land use in Europe was recently held in Brussels. The ESPON project EU LUPA is looking at this issue and aims to better understand land use dynamics. Workshop presentations can be viewed online.
Other Events
Reducing European regional disparities
A seminar organised by the Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies (SIEPS) will discuss how regional disparities in the EU should be measured and what can be done to reduce them. The event is being held in Stockholm on 14 June 2011, with registration closing on 9 June 2011. Learn more.
ESPON open seminar
A reminder that ESPON holds its open seminar from 21-22 June 2011 in Budapest, Hungary. The conference will provide an opportunity for continued dialogue on the need for, and use of, ESPON research in supporting the newly adopted Territorial Agenda 2020 and future Cohesion Policy. Further details and registration information can be found on the ESPON website.
INTERREG project development workshop
A workshop providing a general introduction to the INTERREG programme, and the INTERREG IVB NW Europe programme in particular is being held in London on 15 July 2011. Sessions will explain how to develop a project and how to apply under the 9th Call of the NW Europe programme, which closes on 7 October 2011. Contact Ian Hill (ian.nweurope@btinternet.com) for more information.
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