© ICLEI 2008www.iclei-europe.org Introduction to Mini- Case Studies N. Andrea Philipp Urban-rural linkages enhancing territorial competitiveness Workshop 17 September 2008

© ICLEI 2008www.iclei-europe.org Contents Selection of case studies Introduction to Amsterdam Food Strategy Introduction to KOBRA 2010 Bratislava Introduction to Eifel Initiative Questions for analysis and discussion

© ICLEI 2008www.iclei-europe.org Selection criteria Mini- case studies on urban-rural linkages enhancing territorial competitiveness Focus on three out of five themes of territorial competitiveness: Food chains (regional food marketing and logistical network) Leisure and tourism (possibly including both) Areas and places of high natural and/or cultural value and protection status Multimedia/infotainment Business clusters (handicraft, industry) and regional innovation networks Different forms of urban-rural settings –larger city and its rural hinterland –small/medium-sized towns close to a larger city –rural area surrounded by larger cities Different EU member countries

© ICLEI 2008www.iclei-europe.org Location of cases Amsterdam Food Strategy - NL Eifel Initiative - D KOBRA 2010 Bratislava - AT / SK

© ICLEI 2008www.iclei-europe.org Amsterdam Food Strategy Background Dutch capital Amsterdam: growing population, currently (1,97 Mio in Amsterdam region) neighbouring the Groene Hart (Green Heart), a relatively thinly populated area in the Randstad region (encircled by Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag, Leiden, Haarlem and Utrecht) characterized by rural functions: agriculture, preservation of nature and recreation Drivers: Amsterdams ecological footprint: almost 40% of the environmental impact is due to food Dairy products count for 9%, meat for 6% and other foods for 24%, transport not included Health problems: 45 % of the people are overweight, 14 % of those being serious cases

© ICLEI 2008www.iclei-europe.org Amsterdam Food Strategy Proeftuin Amsterdam (test garden, taste garden, or field of experiment) A strategy on healthy, sustainable, regional food chains Actors: City of Amsterdam, province of Noord- Holland, municipality of Zaanstad; national bodies farmers associations, retailers, consumers, schools, associations for regional products

© ICLEI 2008www.iclei-europe.org KOBRA 2010 Bratislava Background Region spanned by the two capitals Bratislava (Slovakia) and Vienna (Austria) and a number of other vibrant and attractive towns such as Brno and Győr Part of the economically and culturally expanding Central European region CENTROPE, intertwined area of metropolises with decentralised settlement structures and a graduated ranking of cities, across national borders Drivers: Strong dynamics of Brastislava affecting the rural Austrian towns: rapid population growth - formerly rural villages tend to show features of suburban towns However, protected natural areas demand for a well-balanced strategy for development in the region Functions and potentials of the rural area: organic agriculture, profitable agriculture, tourism on health and culture, tourism on viniculture

© ICLEI 2008www.iclei-europe.org KOBRA 2010 Bratislava KOBRA 2010 Urban-Rural-Cooperation Bratislava Master plan and projects on landscape, recreation and tourism for Bratislava and the villages in the Austrian hinterland Actors: Planning Community East,14 local governments in Burgenland and Lower Austria, City of Bratislava State Governments of Burgenland and Lower Austria

© ICLEI 2008www.iclei-europe.org Eifel Initiative Background Rural area, with larger cities (Aachen, Euskirchen, Koblenz, Trier) on the fringes Cross-border: comprising two Federal States of Germany, and border regions of Belgium Functions: few industrial clusters, but mining, agriculture, viniculture, forestry and dairy farming, tourism as a growth sector Drivers: foundation of Eifel Tourism ltd. in 2004 and branding of the regional brand label EIFEL - the first major partnership of local authorities and other stakeholders beyond the Federal States borders impetus from strategic action plans and declarations of the chambers of commerce and chambers of crafts

© ICLEI 2008www.iclei-europe.org Eifel Initiative Eifel Initiative association with steering group, co-ordination board and coordinators Strategic action plan for the future of the Eifel region, five thematic networks: culture & tourism, forest & timber, agriculture, handicraft & trade, technology & innovation Actors: 10 Eifel districts, 53 local governments und 8 regional chambers of commerce, Eifel tourism association, trade and craft associations, universities, companies, natural parks etc.

© ICLEI 2008www.iclei-europe.org Questions for analysis and discussion Key objectives of the initiative? Key actors involved and urban-rural linkages established? Challenges to the initiative? Resolutions? Enhancement of competitiveness of the region? Benefits/ added value of the activities? Helpful governance mechanisms or approaches?