New Research briefing in European Journal of Spatial Development by Kjell Nilsson et al.
Since the mid-1950s European cities have expanded on average by 78%, whereas the population has grown by only 33%. In the PLUREL project – an integrated project within the EU’s 6th Framework Programme – more than 100 researchers from 15 countries analysed the impacts of urban land consumption at a pan-European level and, through six European and one Chinese case study.
The project identified how land use conflicts and the pressure towards peri-urban areas can be strategically managed. To summarise, the following strategies were identified as important steps towards more sustainable urban-rural futures: (i) better territorial cohesion and coordination of transport, land use and open space planning; (ii) urban containment and densification – development of a green compact city; (iii) preservation of blue and green infrastructure; and (iv) preservation of agricultural land and the promotion of local production. The need also remains to strengthen governance at the regional level while at the pan-European level there is clearly a need for more policy attention to be given to urban-rural linkages.
Read and download Strategies for Sustainable Urban Development and Urban-Rural Linkages
