ESPON and INTERREG in the UKBuilding Knowledge Capital
TCPA and
GRaBS Project
Diane Smith European and Corporate Affairs Manager
8 March 2010
the challenges a century ago
The Social CityHoward’s vision for early sustainable development:decent homes in well planned sustainable
communitiesto 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 21st Century
what is GRaBS?
Green and Blue Space Adaptation for Urban Areas and Eco Towns
three-year project funded under
INTERREG IVC Programme
september 2008- august 2011
GRaBS application
• Funding programme: INTERREG IVC• 41 of 495 applications received approval under 1st
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
UKTCPALondon Borough of SuttonSouthampton City CouncilNorthWest Dev AgencyUniversity of Manchester AustriaProvincial Govt of StyriaGreeceMunicipality of KalamariaItalyProvince of GenoaEtnambienteUniversity of Catania
LithuaniaKlaipeda University Coastal Research and Planning InstituteNetherlandsCity District of Geuzenveld-Slotermeer SlovakiaRegional Environment Centre for Eastern EuropeSwedenCity 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 muchneeded 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 GoodPractice Case Studies
Vulnerability/RiskAssessment Tool
Mentoring and StaffExchange Programme
Communication and Dissemination Outputs
Thematic Seminarsand Study Visits
Panel of EU Experts on Climate Change
Adaptation
Community Stakeholder
Networks
Source: Jeremy Carter,
University of Manchester
Adaptation ResearchPolicy 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/refurbishment 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•Research 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 visitsMalmo PSC and Study VisitUser Needs Questionnaire for Risk and Vulnerabilities Assessment
ToolTask Teams established for:
• Climate Change Assessment Tool• Community Involvement• Adaptation Action Plans • Expert Panel
July – Dec 2009Mentoring visits – second roundAmsterdam PSC and Study VisitLink between Assessment Tool and Adaptation Action Plans developedHigh Level Policy Statements drafted
Key milestones
Jan – June 2010Graz PSC and Study VisitFreiburg Study visitMentoring visits – third roundCommunity Involvement mentoringPiloting of Assessment Tool; input into Action PlansExpert Paper
Dec 2010Bratislava PSC and Study Visit‘Policy Guidelines’ on mobility management Expert Paper
Jan- June 2011Sicily PSC and Study VisitAdaptation Action Plans publishedExpert PaperFinal 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 BrochureExpert PapersNewslettersPress Releases Extensive Press CoveragePresentations at
Conferences!Website
www.grabs-eu.org
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 StatementNew 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
http://www.grabs-eu.org
Eco-town worksheets
http://www.tcpa.org.uk/pages/sustainability-worksheets.html
Diane Smith
Town and Country Planning Association
17 Carlton House Terrace
t: +44 (0)20 7930 8903
www.grabs-eu.org
partners characteristics approach discussion
Area: 36759 haPopulation:428672 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)
•2002 - 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
CataniaHost partner Etnambiente SRL CataniaHost partner Etnambiente SRL 13-14 June 2009
partners characteristics approach discussion
Open Procedures(Publicity)
Decision MakersInvolvement
Academic –Research
Engagement
Integrated Institutional interactions
adaptationadaptation
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