Sustainability Research Institute

- TURaS - Transitioning towards Urban Resilience and Sustainability €6.8 m EU FP7 funding Theme: ENV 2011 – Sustainable and Resilient Green Cities Project lead: University College Dublin UEL lead: Darryl Newport Sustainability Research Institute

The TURaS concept Enable European cities and their rural interfaces to build vitally-needed resilience in the face of significant sustainability challenges. Develop new visions, feasibility strategies, spatial scenarios and guidance tools to reduce urban ecological footprints Tackle climate change adaptation and mitigation Natural resource shortage Unprecedented urban growth Sustainability Research Institute

Twinning approach Brings together decision makers in local authorities with SMEs and academics to ensure meaningful results and real change. Sustainability Research Institute

9 leading academic research institutions 11 local authorities or local development agencies 8 SMEs 28 Project partners University of East London University College Dublin Universität Stuttgart VU University VU-IVM Aalborg Universitet University of Ljubljana Varna Free University Sapienza Università di Roma Institute of Architecture and Urban and Spatial Planning (Serbia) London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Barking Riverside (London) City of Rome Dublin City Council Nottingham Development Enterprise Stuttgart Municipality City of Rotterdam Regional Development Agency of Ljubljana Urban Region Sofia Municipality Brussels Capital Region Seville Municipality Dermot Foley Landscape Architects BioAzul Helix BIC Lazio (Rome) Institute for Sustainability EBN Climate Alliance PRACSIS SPRL Sustainability Research Institute

TURaS - 9 Work Packages (WP) over 5 years WP 1: Geospatial ICT-support infrastructure for urban resilience WP 2: Greening public and private urban infrastructure (UEL lead) WP 3:Urban/industrial regeneration, land use planning and creative design WP 4:Climate change resilient city planning and climate-neutral infrastructure WP 5: Limiting urban sprawl WP 6: Short-circuit economies WP 7: Integrated transition strategies WP 8: Dissemination, training and exploitation of results WP 9: Project management Sustainability Research Institute

Work Package 1: Geospatial ICT-support infrastructure for urban resilience Generating a common GIS dataset to support the analysis of sustainability issues affecting partner cities Developing an internet-based discussion and dissemination forum Sustainability Research Institute

Work Package 2: Greening public and private urban infrastructure Evaluating the ecological quality of green infrastructure Research into innovative green infrastructure to maximise ecosystem services and its economic value Experimental and case study trials Sustainability Research Institute

Work Package 3:Urban/industrial regeneration, land use planning and creative design Examine innovative solutions for urban regeneration and holistic land use planning: o use of dormant sites/buildings o ecosystem service provision o food/energy production o community engagement Sustainability Research Institute

Work Package 4:Climate change resilient city planning and climate-neutral infrastructure Increase resilience and reducing the ecological footprint of cities: o flood risk o water treatment o waste recycling o sewage systems o energy systems o transport policies Developing climate neutral infrastructure Sustainability Research Institute

Work Package 5: Limiting urban sprawl Looking at planning processes and attitudes towards compact vs dispersal development Applying models for looking at urban development patterns at the urban periphery Developing regulations and guidance tools to address problems of urban sprawl Sustainability Research Institute

Work Package 6: Short-circuit economies Investigate the impact of different approaches to increased reliance on local goods and services Investigate the potential for clean-tech processes and eco-design Research & development of product service systems supporting ‘localised’ businesses Develop a rating system on contribution of businesses to local economy Sustainability Research Institute

Work Package 7: Integrated transition strategies Identify synergies between WPs 2-6 Prepare integrated transition strategies for participating TURaS cities Demonstration within partner cities Sustainability Research Institute

Work Package 8: Dissemination, training and exploitation of results Develop effective dissemination and exploitation strategies Open up TURaS beyond just partner cities Work Package 9: Project management To ensure the efficient and timely implementation of project activities Sustainability Research Institute

For further information contact: Stuart Connop: or Darryl Newport: Sustainability Research Institute