Liveable Cities en

LIVEABLE CITIES: 

LIVEABLE CITIES ENVIPLAN Project results conference, Palermo 1th December 2006 Liveable Cities; Guidance towards Sustainable Urban Management Chris Zuidema, University of Groningen (The Netherlands)

Outline: 

Outline Who are ‘Liveable cities’ What is our agenda What do we want to tell: ‘Sustainable Urban Management’

Who are Liveable Cities: 

Who are Liveable Cities Eurocities Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment Ethics etc… Sustainable Cities Institute – University of Northumbria University of Groningen Cities: City of Aalborg – Denmark City of Bristol – United Kingdom City of Burgas – Bulgaria City of Copenhagen – Denmark Lille Metropole - France City of Malmö – Sweden City of Rotterdam – The Netherlands City of The Hague – The Netherlands City of Venice – Italy

What is our agenda: 

What is our agenda Our context: Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment proposals; environmental management plans (EMP) or sustainable urban management plans (SUMP) Dutch ‘City and Environment’ toolkit; Called ‘Liveable Cities’ Focus on environment vs spatial planning Key political frame: Lisbon & Göteborg Strategy TSUE

What is our agenda: 

What is our agenda From: Januari 2004 – Februari 2007 Started with the objecive to explore the nature of Sustainable Urban Management Plans (SUMP) by: participating cities to develop a SUMP all partners to develop a ‘model plan’ of a SUMP learning from workshops, case-studies and example city-presentations

What is our agenda: 

What is our agenda Policy Scope: environmental sustainability EMP Environmental Management Plan SUMP Sustainable Urban Management Plan Economic Social Liveable cities considers the policy scope of the SUMP to be at least the same as the (EMP) Environmental Management Plan (as described by the expert working group).

What is our agenda: 

What is our agenda We learned that: A ‘model plan’ of SUMP does not exist Many cities are not in need of ‘yet another plan’ A SUMP should thus be integrative and comprehensive, or: Not a plan, but a strategy A plan is only a part of Sustainable Urban Managment So now: Encourge SUM, which includes SUMP, rather than just SUMP’s Write a Guidance Document for SUM, rather than a ‘model plan’ Present a brochure for political encouragement

What do we want to tell; SUM: 

What do we want to tell; SUM SUM is meant to promote liveable towns and cities Liveable towns and cities are healthy, attractive and vibrant SUM is meant to be a comprehensive and integrated approach However, while stressing the importance of a balanced approach to unite environmental protection, social equity and cohesion and economic prosperity, this guidance specifically focuses on the promotion of environmental quality in towns and cities.

What do we want to tell; SUM: 

What do we want to tell; SUM As such, we will promote SUM as: a comprehensive and integrated approach to urban governance that fully integrates environmental objectives in all urban governance and all of the urban society

What do we want to tell; SUM: 

What do we want to tell; SUM To express the comprehensive and integrated nature of SUM, our Guidance document is structured around seven terms that needs attention to improve a cities liveability:

What do we want to tell; SUM: 

What do we want to tell; SUM Principles – the essential aspects of sustainable development and urban management that are required for liveable cities Politics – the nature of political involvement and commitment that is required to support liveable cities Partnership – the governance models and responsibility agreements for working with stakeholders that are needed for liveable cities Processes – for agreeing visions and objectives for managing and monitoring the delivery of actions for liveable cities Policies – meeting local needs, respecting local traditions, satisfying national and European regulations Plans – the role and integration of spatial, thematic, agenda 21 and other plans Programs – of action to achieve the agreed objectives for liveable cities

What do we want to tell; SUM: 

What do we want to tell; SUM Centering around seven P’s, SUM is a city wide endeavor involving all urban governance and all of the urban society to install SUM as: a transparent long term adaptive process that is focussed on sustainable milestones and improvements over successive periods of time which consists of an iterative and repeating process involving all P’s. Each of the chapters introduces one P and provides detailed guidance on addressing this P in SUM. Guidance on each P is supported and illustrated by cases, accompanied by a list of available tools and summarized in ten key guidelines.

What do we want to tell; SUM: 

What do we want to tell; SUM Added Value of SUM Guidance 1) Enhancing the quality of current sustainable urban policies tackle the difficulties of compartmentalization of sectoral policies promote partnerships between governments & the civil society overcome coordination and integration deficits between exiting fragmented plans and policies, 2) Promoting the efficient use of current municipal resources coordination and integration can promote a more efficient use of current municipal resources 3) Innovate current practices of sustainable urban management inspire with new tools and ideas suggest alternative strategies and solutions reflects on current practices

What do we want to tell; SUM: 

What do we want to tell; SUM Overview of some key lessons: ‘deal with causes, not symptoms’; Do not hide from the truth, look beyond traditional policy content, delivery and coherence ‘get outside the comfort zone’; Go beyond what is legally required and look beyond traditional spatial and regulatory policies – As Low As is Reasonably Achieveable (ALARA) ‘think outside the box’; Encourage to find the most efficient and effective strategies while understanding there are many ways to achieve the same targets ‘use a can-do approach’; Set ambitious aspirations, but make realistic commitments; go for ‘as low as reasonably achievable’ which follows balancing a variety of ambitions and interests

What do we want to tell; SUM: 

What do we want to tell; SUM Overview of some key lessons: ‘use the local’; Combine the generic (inter)national and agreed ambitions of SUM within the uniqueness of problems, areas and cities; unite local problem, priorities and ambitions in any SUM effort ‘do it together’; Take responsibilities and search for others to do the same (polluter pays); create dialogue, respect, trust and a common language ‘manage risks’; Understand the costs and consequences of NOT acting, be precautious when uncertain and be aware of what is coming ‘be positive, be proud’; Promote the triumph of the possible; stress anecdotes and examples of success to grab and hold people’s attention, celebrate the icons that can inspire us all

What do we want to tell; SUM: 

What do we want to tell; SUM Why this approach? 1. Convince Promote reading and use 2. Audience: Elected representatives Urban professionals (environment, spatial planning, traffic, water, urban regerneration, social & welfare, etc.) Houding corporations + Advisors on spatial & environmental issues >> so not just technical and detailed 3. Experiences: Not just a plan, a broad process framed around environment vs spatial urban planning

What do we want to tell; SUM: 

What do we want to tell; SUM What do we need from the EP/EC: a positive mind towards integrated urban approach and taylormade solutions (instead of generic, sectoral standards) >> Cities need room for maneuvre to find their own solutions to make their city liveable support for follow up: to spread our experience to other European cities

LIVEABLE CITIES : 

LIVEABLE CITIES Thank you