ESPON and INTERREG in the UK Building Knowledge Capital TCPA and GRaBS Project Diane Smith European and Corporate Affairs Manager 8 March 2010

the challenges a century ago The Social City Howard’s vision for early sustainable development: decent homes in well planned sustainable communities to address social and economic problems: Town: –Unemployment –High rents –Poor housing –Pollution Country: –Low wages –Social isolation

early GI in garden cities Green spaces, trees, and good design lead to well-being of society, ensures cohesion and a sense of community e.g. pioneering settlements of Letchworth and Welwyn Garden Cities Welwyn Garden City

Secure a decent, well designed home for everyone, in a human-scale environment combining the best features of town and country Empower people and communities to influence decisions that affect them Improve the planning system in accordance with the principles of sustainable development …through planning about the tcpa

climate change social justice globalisation acute housing shortages the challenges of the 21 st Century

what is GRaBS? Gr een a nd B lue S pace Adaptation for Urban Areas and Eco Towns three-year project funded under INTERREG IVC Programme september august 2011

GRaBS application Funding programme: INTERREG IVC 41 of 495 applications received approval under 1 st call Duration: 36 months / 3 years, September 08 to August 11 Budget just under €3.183m ERDF just under € 2.43m 14 partners in 8 member states

GRaBS partners UK TCPA London Borough of Sutton Southampton City Council NorthWest Dev Agency University of Manchester Austria Provincial Govt of Styria Greece Municipality of Kalamaria Italy Province of Genoa Etnambiente University of Catania Lithuania Klaipeda University Coastal Research and Planning Institute Netherlands City District of Geuzenveld- Slotermeer Slovakia Regional Environment Centre for Eastern Europe Sweden City of Malmo

GRaBS overall objective ‘ to ensure existing and new mixed use urban development is adapted to the impact of climate change through improving local and regional planning policy to put in place green and blue Infrastructure; and to facilitate the much needed exchange of knowledge and experience and the actual transfer of good practice on climate change adaptation strategies to local and regional authorities across Europe ’

increase partner expertise on use of green and blue infrastructure identify and influence regional planning policy and delivery mechanisms for adaptation develop and use a risk and vulnerabilities assessment tool develop regional and local adaptation action plans including a high level policy statement improve community awareness and engagement in planning process GRaBS 5 Key Objectives

GRaBS objective 1 Benefits of green and blue spaces: To increase the existing knowledge and expertise of project partners and other key authorities responsible for spatial planning and development of the benefits of green and blue infrastructure in new and existing mixed use development in helping communities adapt to already changing climate conditions including higher temperatures, drought and flooding.

GRaBS objective 2 Delivery mechanisms: To exchange and increase knowledge of what policy and delivery mechanisms exist in each partner region to deliver new mixed use urban development and urban regeneration and to make use of, and influence, these policies and mechanisms in order to integrate climate change adaptation through green and blue infrastructure into mainstream delivery.

GRaBS objective 3 Risk and Vulnerabilities Assessment Tool: To develop collaboratively an innovative, cost effective and user friendly assessment tool, to highlight climate change risks and vulnerabilities in urban areas in order to aid the strategic planning and delivery of climate change adaptation responses. e.g. vulnerabilities from extreme weather conditions  Temperature  Precipitation  Soil Moisture  Sea Level

GRaBS objective 4 Adaptation Action Plans: To develop collaboratively regional and local good practice Adaptation Action Plans including a High Level Policy Statement in order to ensure the delivery of climate change adaptation through urban greening and water management and cooperation among decision makers, planners, stakeholders, the private sector and local communities.

GRaBS objective 5 Community Involvement: To improve stakeholders’, communities’ and decision makers' understanding and involvement in planning and delivering green and blue infrastructure in new and existing mixed use development, based on positive community involvement techniques.

Adaptation Action Plans and High Level Policy Statements Concrete actions Delivery mechanisms Measurable targets Database of Good Practice Case Studies Vulnerability/Risk Assessment Tool Mentoring and Staff Exchange Programme Communication and Dissemination Outputs Thematic Seminars and Study Visits Panel of EU Experts on Climate Change Adaptation Community Stakeholder Networks Source: Jeremy Carter, University of Manchester Adaptation Research Policy and Practice (outside GRaBS) project activities

some achievements: AAP guidance A key output is that each partner will produce an Adaptation Action Plan, which will include a High Level Policy Statement The High Level Policy Statement will address regional policies and deliver adaptation actions at the regional and local level Each Adaption Action Plan will contain a SWOT analysis, the results generated by the Climate Risk Assessment Tool and a list of actions, delivery mechanisms and measurable targets to implement green and blue infrastructure

SWOTs: some common themes Strengths Redevelopment/ref urbishment projects expedient for redesign / retrofitting of adaptation measures Good (/growing) level of climate change expertise available Good position to run seminars, build consortia/forums/networks/ partnerships on climate change / urban design issues Increased cooperation/coordination between officers/departments and external agencies/envonmental organisations Resea rch programmes which enhance knowledge and exchange of information on climate change issues (e.g. LiFE, Climatools … ) Increasing amount of relevant regulation/legislation/policy/ non-statutory docs on relevant issues (e.g. flood risk / sustainable design)

SWOTs: some common themes Weaknesses Lack of public and political awareness/support/interest (lack of recognition of value of green and blue infrastructure) – need political ‘ champions ’ to drive for change Uncertainty over risks Dense urban form limits opportunities for green and blue space (e.g. Kalamaria) Weak law enforcement / existing climate change regulations slow to be implemented and lack incentives to deliver Lack of impetus of local behaviour change due Lack of time and resources (e.g. staff shortages/other priorities) Lack of experience in community engagement on this topic Focus skewed towards mitigation over adaptation

SWOTs: some common themes Opportunities Revision/renewal of plans (spatial planning/climate change) allows integration of adaptation policy Improving stakeholder/community networks, and e.g. Local Strategic Partnership working (UK partners only) Use of variety of ‘ hooks ’ for adaptation due to multifunctional nature of green and blue space e.g. attractiveness for tourism / economic competitiveness EU Directives as levers e.g. SEA / Floods / Habitats Directives, and Adaptation White Paper / Arhus Convention National Indicator initiative as incentive for action (UK partners) Adaptation Action Plan projects improve innovation, skills and diversity of workforce

SWOTs: some common themes Threats Economic climate (cut backs) + political climate (e.g. elections) Lack of joined-up legislation / clear framework Lack of strategic coordination/cooperation between directorates / municipal departments (e.g. spatial planning, water mgt, forestry), including data sharing Public participation outputs having little influence over decision-making (top-down tendencies for some partners) Pressure for development, urban sprawl threatens effective planning for adaptation measures Demographic change – potential increase in vulnerable population e.g. ageing society + in-migration to cities Difficulty in measuring tangible benefits – lack of indicators proving viability of adaptation (need targets to ensure delivery)

Jan – June 2009 SWOT analysis – Mentoring visits Malmo PSC and Study Visit User Needs Questionnaire for Risk and Vulnerabilities Assessment Tool Task Teams established for: Climate Change Assessment Tool Community Involvement Adaptation Action Plans Expert Panel July – Dec 2009 Mentoring visits – second round Amsterdam PSC and Study Visit Link between Assessment Tool and Adaptation Action Plans developed High Level Policy Statements drafted Key milestones

Jan – June 2010 Graz PSC and Study Visit Freiburg Study visit Mentoring visits – third round Community Involvement mentoring Piloting of Assessment Tool; input into Action Plans Expert Paper Dec 2010 Bratislava PSC and Study Visit ‘Policy Guidelines’ on mobility management Expert Paper Jan- June 2011 Sicily PSC and Study Visit Adaptation Action Plans published Expert Paper Final conference Key milestones

some achievements: tool prototype  making it easier to aid and support the AAP policy/ decision making process Each AAP will contain the results generated by the Climate Change Risk & Vulnerability Assessment Tool User Needs & Requirements Analyses completed – now being developed, piloted and refined Used for e.g.: AAP development, community engagement events, mapping vulnerable groups and infrastructure

some achievements: exchanging knowledge Mentoring Visits - timed to help develop AAPs by implementing SWOT Analyses, and gain first- hand knowledge of climate change impacts/solutions in host location Workshops, Thematic Seminars & Study Visits – Malmo, Netherlands  Coming up: Graz, Freiburg, Bratislava, Sicily

Project Brochure Expert Papers Newsletters Press Releases Extensive Press Coverage Presentations at Conferences! Website some achievements: raising awareness

pass on work related to PPS on climate change and eco-towns to other GRaBS partners and develop TCPA knowledge of climate change adaptation strategies improve national, regional and local UK policy on climate change and planning ensure the UK learns from European exchange of experience to improve policy development TCPA Partner Role

eco-town worksheets Worksheet series:  Transport  Waste  Community development  Water-cycle management  Green Infrastructure  Economy  Inclusive Design  Housing  Biodiversity  Energy  Delivery

position statement Planning and Climate Change Coalition: Position Statement New planning policy on climate change should be informed by the following principles: A restatement of the importance of sustainable development as the key objective for the planning system A strong commitment to the plan-led system A commitment to make climate change a vital factor in all planning decision-making A recognition of the importance of adaptation and the need to integrate mitigation and adaptation solutions The creation of a new technical advice body to ensure the integration of data sets, methodologies and target regimes A holistic and positive approach to minimising energy demand and to large-scale, community level and micro- renewables energy opportunities = a ‘new energy paradigm’

the future… Global Build international consensus and action Europe Exchange of best practice through projects such as GRaBS UK Learn from and mainstream eco-town principles

further information GRaBS project Eco-town worksheets Diane Smith Town and Country Planning Association 17 Carlton House Terrace t: +44 (0)

partnerscharacteristicsapproachdiscussion Area: ha Population: Population Density: 1161/km2 Diverse and Rich Natural landscape Investment activities are often located in vicinity of forest ranges and sometimes these activities are directly located on forest lands. One of the warmest areas in Slovakia. The city itself has the average above 10oC (Annual Average Temperature) the vastest floods. Extreme high temperature events Regional Environment Centre for Eastern Europe (REC), Country Office Slovakia Bratislava Regional Environment Centre for Eastern Europe (REC), Country Office Slovakia Bratislava DANUBE RIVER

Catania Host partner Etnambiente SRL Catania Host partner Etnambiente SRL June 2009 partnerscharacteristicsapproachdiscussion Open Procedures (Publicity) Decision Makers Involvement Academic –Research Engagement Integrated Institutional interactions adaptation

Network Development Facilitated contacts. Opportunity to build a stronger consensus. Opportunity to actively involve organisations. Opportunity to bring together officers.

Pictures Catania

Pictures Sutton

Province of Genoa Province of Styria Northwest England (NWDA)

Programme Activities “Polcevera valley”

Programme Activities Scrivia valley