URBAN-NET

Basic Information

Description

URBAN-NET will: 'structure and coordinate research on urban sustainability in Europe by identifying and addressing trans-national requirements for research and sharing of good practice, in order to support the implementation of the ERA for urban research, as well as other European legislation, policy and strategies relating to sustainable urban development.'
Its objectives are to:
- plan and implement trans-national and trans-regional activities to identify and address shared requirements for research into sustainable urban development
- champion coordinated urban research in Europe through the mutual research programmes and joint planning of associated activities (e.g. workshops)
- coordinate dissemination of existing knowledge, practical experience (e.g. good practice) and applications of research.
The network will:
- exchange information on urban research programmes and identify good practice
- identify and analyse common strategic issues
- plan and develop joint activities between programmes
- implement joint trans-national research funding activities including common calls.
The URBAN-NET will deliver:
- a basis for disseminating the outcomes of existing urban research
- a searchable, web-based database of urban research programmes in Europe
- cross-cultural comparisons of recent urban research
- a structured transnational resource facilitating expert evaluation of research
- one pilot and at least one full joint call for research proposals funded by multiple countries leading to durable trans-national cooperation.
The URBAN-NET will help integrate EU, national and regional research. The financial impact is striking: euro50m. URBAN-NET will address the long-term European agenda for urban research. It will increase the exchange of experience between research programmes, improve scope for comparability, and enhance research capacity.

Main research priorities of the network

Integrated urban sustainability, priority themes include governance, strategic land management, climate change; public space, health and quality of life.