ESPON UK Network Bulletin 9/2011

Network news

Planning for growth what can we learn from Europe?

The UK ESPON Contact Point is holding a conference in London on 30 September 2011 which will bring together policy-makers, practitioners and researchers to discuss how planning can enable growth, and how outputs from the ESPON Programme can be used to support planning and inform decision-making.

The draft programme is now available on the conference web page along with background reading and related links. If you would like to attend, please complete and return the registration form by 19 September 2011.

Report from DCLGs financial managers seminar

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) recently held a financial managers workshop for those involved in the financial management and First Level Control of ESPON projects. A report from the event and presentations from speakers are now available online.

Planning for the knowledge economy

Cliff Hagues recent blog on planning for the knowledge economy considers some of the findings from the ESPON KIT project which is looking at knowledge, innovation and territory. The overall message seems to be that different places are adopting different approaches to promote the knowledge economy, and that the supply of knowledge-intensive services varies greatly between UK areas.

Call for papers

Journal of Economic and Social Geography

The editors of the Journal of Economic and Social Geography invite papers for the Outlook on Europe section of the journal. The series highlights the geography and territory of Europe, with contributions covering European-level spatial trends and developments, comparative issues, and the effects of European policies. For more details, have a look at the Journal website.

Multi-level governance and partnership in EU cohesion policy

The first workshop in the Regional Studies Associations Research Network on Effectiveness, added value and future of cohesion policy is being held in Vienna from 29-30 November 2011. The workshop will consider issues of multi-level governance and partnership in EU cohesion policy and the added value and spillover effects. Abstracts should be submitted by 31 August 2011. Read more.

Sustaining regional futures

The Regional Studies Association Global Conference 2012 takes place in Beijing from 24-27 June 2012 and will be focused on the theme of sustaining regional futures. The conference will have gateways for assessing Chinas regional policies in managing regional disparities. Papers are welcomed on all of these themes, as well as governance, city regions, spatial planning and analysis which consider the position of China, or elsewhere. Find out more.

Other publications

Economic, social and territorial situation of the UK

A report on regional development produced by the European Parliament outlines the economic, social and territorial situation of the UK. It looks at regional and sub-regional disparities in the UK, and sets out the priorities and principles of the implementation of cohesion policy. Read the full report.

New European policy brief

A new policy brief has been produced for the GILDED project Governance, infrastructure, lifestyle dynamics and energy demand: European post-carbon communities. The project is identifying socio-economic and cultural factors which affect energy demand and analysing whether these factors facilitate or hinder the reduction of carbon-intensive energy use.

Research and technological development in the EU

The Annual Report (2010) on research and technological development in the EU has been published and presents activities within the EU over the past year. It outlines the role of European Innovation Partnerships (EIPs), the delivery of the European Research Area (ERA) and highlights the Seventh Framework Programmes interim evaluation.

Options for EU development cooperation

There are big decisions to be made around the role of the EU in the future global aid architecture. Questions needing to be answered include: how can European aid adapt to such a rapidly changing development landscape, and address current and emerging global challenges? A briefing paper jointly published by the Overseas Development Institute reviews these issues and sets out recommendations on maintaining a European Development Fund, how to deal with climate finance, and provide assistance for emerging economies. Read the paper.

Cyprus is Commissioner Hahns region of the week

Commissioner Hahn recently visited the Republic of Cyprus to meet with representatives from EU-funded projects. The countrys priorities regarding EU regional funding and project examples are outlined on the region of the week section of the Commissioners web pages.

Other events

Mobile borders conference

This conference will bring together around 200 university academics who are involved in researching border regions and the dynamics of border openings and closings around the world. The conference is being jointly held in Geneva and Grenoble from 6-9 September 2011. Register by 15 August if you would like to attend. Take a look at the Pacte website for further details.

Cities in Europe 2020

The ICLEI European Convention 2011 will provide a forum for discussing the implementation of Europe-wide sustainability measures in cities focusing on the EU 2020 Strategy. The conference takes place in Brussels from 12-14 September 2011 and will review local sustainability achievements across Europe and consider the next steps needed in light of the Rio+20 Conference next year. Register online to attend.

Strategic environmental assessment is it making an impact?

A special conference on strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is being held in Prague from 21-22 September 2011 to mark the tenth anniversary of the EUs SEA Directive. The event will review trends and lessons in implementing the SEA Directive in Member States and look at the development of other types of SEA in Europe and further afield. Visit the conference website to register.

Effective instruments for territorial development

This event will discuss recommendations for using public support measures provided under cohesion policy and consider what instruments are available for those involved in spatial planning. The conference is taking place in Warsaw from 24-25 October 2011 and more details are available on the ECTP-CEU website.

International conference Forest 2011

The United Nations declared 2011 the International Year of Forests in an effort to raise awareness of conservation and sustainable development of forests. Forest 2011 will contribute to policy development at the European level, in particular to the review of the EU Forestry Strategy and the Green Paper on Forest Protection and Information in the EU. The event takes place in Leuven, Belgium from 23-24 November 2011. Register to attend.

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