1. 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)

2. 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

3. Objective of the conceptual framework
Provide a clear means for the EEA to structure its thinking on urban sustainability activities, including the foreseen 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. Structure of the conceptual framework

7. Revised conceptual framework model
Before
After

8. 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   

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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)
Fax +44 (0) or
website