UrbanLinks 2 Landscape
Open spaces, ranging from natural heritage to derelict sites and from the urban core to the fringe and into the landscapes, are of increasing value for European municipalities. Not only because they are constantly reduced by land use (for business, infrastructures, housing etc.), but also because remaining open spaces must serve new requests and functions. These include ecosystem services, such as mitigation of local effects of climate change, and new public demands for urban farming and outdoor healthcare services.

Consequently, local and regional policies to deal with these issues were agreed and measures can be financed from several sources, including ERDF and ESIF according to priorities set up in Regional Operational Programmes. 

Implementation however faces open questions and major challenges: How to identify the best locations for new services and use forms, how to include regional stakeholders and how to ensure that new offers are attractive and welcoming and that they deliver the optimum economic, environmental and social benefits? One example: today urban gardening often develops spontaneously and at deficient locations. If planned in cooperation between authorities and users/operators and if better placed and designed, it could increase its benefits for public realm, climate adaptation, social inclusion and local markets.

Best practice examples, reliable criteria, effective tools and a good knowledge transfer are needed to support implementation and effectiveness. To deliver this, the partnership and the stakeholder groups organise workshops and a study tour, work out joint studies and a visionary blueprint and implement a purposeful communication strategy .

UL2L partners, including their stakeholder groups, support the improved management of policy instruments, such as the ROP, and the implementation of new projects to ensure they reflect the value of topics considered and the measures identified as resourceful and promising by UL2L.