Increasing the competitiveness of city regions through integrated urban-rural development 

About 70 percent of central Europeans live in urban regions. Here, local and regional authorities are increasingly challenged by a steady growth of population and an increasing request for space for both economic activities and housing. Actions are therefore needed against urban sprawl that threatens to lead to a reduction of natural and open areas used for recreational purposes. Furthermore, the request for space by investors has to be answered in a satisfying manner despite a lack of suitable areas in the core city. Innovative approaches and solutions are henceforth needed that would require effective and efficient inter-municipal cooperation.

The project CITY REGIONS targets its activities on the enhancement and durable institutionalisation of functional cooperation between the municipalities of the urban centre and smaller cities and towns located in the hinterland of transnationally connected urban regions. The project links five urban regions from central Europe, each represented by the local public authority of the core city and also by a partner representing the regional level. Further municipalities of smaller hinterland cities and towns will participate in the project´s activities as associated partners.
