Forward-looking analysis, sustainability assessments and systemic transitions Framework Contract (EEA/IEA/16/003) 11th Specific Contract: Support to urban sustainability assessments – developing the analytical framework 15th Nov 2018 Ric Eales (CEP) Rolands Sadauskis (CEP) The EEA conceptual and analytical frameworks for Urban environmental sustainability activities to 2020 Session 2(a) – The Conceptual Framework (CF)

Purpose / objectives: Refine / summarise the conceptual framework and reinforce the knowledge base Produce a revised conceptual framework (CF) for the EEA’s work on urban sustainability Building on the work from 2017 on supporting sustainability assessments – developing the integrated knowledge base

Objective of the conceptual framework Provide a clear means for the EEA to structure its thinking on urban sustainability activities, including the foreseen 2020 Environmental Sustainability in Cities report (2020 ESIC Report), in terms of: The key outcomes that will / can / should define a vision of environmental sustainability in an urban context in Europe; and The aspects which are likely to be required to support the transition of European cities towards the vision of urban environmental sustainability.

Approach in developing the conceptual framework Builds on the EEA’s initial proposed four categories for urban sustainability and the work from 2017 Feedback on different iterations of the CF from stakeholders (internal and external to the EEA) Knowledge review of key EEA and external publications, review of key EU policy/theoretical frameworks Expert knowledge of the project team

What is new in the revised conceptual framework Rephrased terminology of the two nested “levels” of urban sustainability concepts to more clearly describe their interrelationship: Lenses (formerly referred to as ‘headline concepts’) Building blocks (formerly ‘sub-concepts’) The sustainable city viewed in connection with: Complex adaptive ecosystems Urban hinterland Complex urban systems’ flows (resource supply and disposal) Introduction of three production and consumption systems: food, energy and mobility Review and consolidation of the building blocks

Structure of the conceptual framework

Revised conceptual framework model Before After

Consolidating the Building blocks Building blocks consolidated to reduce duplication and overlaps – reduced from 30 to 17 Building blocks categorised into either process or outcome Wording refined to provide brief titles of each building block supported by descriptions Relevance of the building blocks to different lenses   

Process building blocks Most relevant lens The Resilient City The Green City The Low Carbon City The Inclusive City The Healthy City The Circular City Process   Policy coherence Engagement and participation of stakeholders and citizens Integrated planning, design and policy making Partnership and community-led initiatives Knowledge and awareness raising Financing mechanisms Digital technology

Outcome building blocks Most relevant lens The Resilient City The Green City The Low Carbon City The Inclusive City The Healthy City The Circular City Outcome   Urban resilience Social and environmental justice Quality of life Urban ecological multi-functionality Urban environmental quality Urban agriculture and food systems Decentralised renewable energy production Energy and resource efficiency Urban green economy Urban mobility and accessibility

Lenses The six urban sustainability lenses provide different headline perspectives on the components of urban sustainability: The Resilient City The Green City The Low carbon City The Inclusive City The Healthy City The Circular City The urban sustainability lenses encompass multiple building blocks, some of which contribute to more than one lens and therefore should not be viewed in isolation to achieve the transition to urban sustainability outcomes The note discusses the building blocks relevant to each lens and how each lens is embedded in various EU policy and theoretical frameworks

Enabling factors The five key enabling factors are expected to support transitioning of key urban systems towards the delivery of urban sustainability outcomes across the six lenses The five key enabling factors identified are: Governance Finance Technology Data & Information Culture

Discussion General comments, suggestions and critical final amendments to finalise the CF  

Contact Details Ric Eales and Rolands Sadauskis Collingwood Environmental Planning (CEP) 1E, The Chandlery 50 Westminster Bridge Road London SE1 7QY UK   tel. +44 (0)20 7407 8700 Fax +44 (0)20 7928 6950 Email r.eales@cep.co.uk or r.sadauskis@cep.co.uk website www.cep.co.uk