Quality Sustainable Living

DOCUMENTS

URBACT Results Brochure  Read more
URBACT Tribune 2011 dedicated to Local Support Groups  Read more
Final Publication - URBACT Cities facing the Crisis - Impact and Responses  Read more
The URBACT Tribune 2010  Read more
Can Secured Housing Help Cities Mitigate Effects of the Crisis for their Citizens?  Read more
Design coding and the creative, market and regulatory tyrannies of practice  Read more
Synthesis of Baseline Studies of the URBACT projects focusing on 'Integrated and sustainable development"  Read more

Quality Sustainable Living



In the period of financial and economic crisis the earlier models of development do not function any more in the same way. New ideas are needed to promote the the material and non-materail aspects of well being. The recently published Cities of Tomorrow booklet (available on the website of DG Regio: www.ec.europa.eu/regional_policy) devotes considerable attention to housing issues, as a crucial factor of the quality of life. Housing affects the segregation between social strata (p.24) and the chances of families to achieve adequate everyday life (affordability, p.37)

Sustainability of urban development requires cities to grow inwards, promoting re-densification, as a new strategy for housing development (p.56). The booklet also calls the attention to the fact that the different elements of the future visions of urban development are contradictory, e.g  efforts towards energy efficiency in the form of zero carbon new housing construction is unaffordable for many people and creates social exclusion and inequalities, while the renovation of existing buildings might contribute to inclusion.

The URBACT projects grouped into this Thematic Cluster deal with important aspects of life quality: the health issue, the affordable housing problem, the design element of residential environments. Besides the already finished projects there is also one ongoing project (TOGETHER), attempting to approach the procedural side of the quality of life challenge. The difference in this thinking compared to the traditional public policies was clearly formulated by one of the local stakeholders of this project: “... well-being is structured family policy. … it is for all citizens whereas welfare is aimed at the poor….we are focusing on normal conditions …” The difference is not only in the broader target but also in the approach, aiming to involve residents into the planning and management of services. Making people aware about real circumstances and at the same time making them co-responsible for the potential reactions is a promising way forward even in times of economic and financial difficulties.

While homelessness, inhabiting slums or sub-standard properties, living below the poverty line or in illegality, third-generation unemployment, exclusion from educational opportunities, etc. are unacceptable features of the urban condition, these realities form a constant reminder of the tensions characterising interaction between management of the physical environment and the socio-economic circumstances of its citizens. It is increasingly recognised that involved, "healthy" communities form the primary building blocks of truly sustainable cities, but the struggle to accommodate the balanced, interdependent, inclusive and qualitative development pattern that this implies is far from being resolved.

Within this context housing provision has traditionally been seen as both problem and solution, and relationship between house and home is indeed a crucial factor in considerations of quality of life. The United Nations Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights suggests that "adequacy" is determined also by social, economic, cultural, climatic, ecological and other factors (The right to adequate housing (Art.II(I). CESCR General Comment No. 4 – 1991). Furthermore it includes an important background message in relation to this sub-theme namely that the right to adequate housing is not simply about legal security of tender but also about availability of services, materials, facilities and infrastructure; affordability; habitability; accessibility; location; and cultural adequacy. So the terms of reference for this sub-theme can be firmly positioned to make the link between housing as essential human requirement and community building - thereby targeting the development of sustainable, qualitative housing areas/neighbourhoods within a balanced and integrated framework as set out for European cities in the Leipzig Charter.

The finished projects HOPUS and SUITE represented more the physical dimension in this dialogue. HOPUS wa concerned almost from the "Baukultur" point of view to generate better housing environments based on the adoption of design coding.  SUITE addressed the problems of how to deliver adequate and appropriate supplies of qualitative social/affordable housing in our cities. The primary focus of Building Healthy Communities was on real community health issues, but in this juxtaposition an opening was created both to confront the role of housing in this respect but also to think about how communities themselves can be enabled to participate effectively in improving the conditions in which they live. The new URBACT project (having started in December 2009) Together looks to examine the principle of "co-responsibility" by promoting structures of cooperation between public authorities, citizens and private stakeholders as a means of generating effective social cohesion. It is also anticipated that networks dealing with aspects of deprived neighbourhoods can make valuable contributions to this thematic subject just as the SUITE and Building Healthy Communities projects actively participated in the URBACT Annual Conference Workshop 2009 "Quality of Life in Disadvantaged Neighbourhoods". 

1. Working on a common theme
2. URBACT ARTICLES – Quality Sustainable Living
3. URBACT REPORTS – Quality Sustainable Living
4. URBACT CASE STUDIES – Quality Sustainable Living
5. URBACT EVENTS – Quality Sustainable Living
6. Other EVENTS relevant for Cities concerned with Quality Sustainable Living
7. Useful LINKS for Cities working on Quality Sustainable Living

 

1. Working on a common theme


During meetings organised by Philip Stein to bring these projects together in 2009 and 2010 it became clear that a strong basis for joint working could be identified. Project representatives agreed that understanding the relationship between "quality of life" and "quality of place" formed a key area of common concern in the challenge to improve the living experience and general well-being of individuals, families and communities - especially those under pressure from the effects of long established and ongoing crisis and social exclusion. Each project can bring a particular insight into this discussion where first impressions might suggest a preoccupation with a very general topic.
The problems of communities at risk and neighbourhoods experiencing multiple difficulties, however, cannot simply be resolved by intervention in the physical regeneration of the urban fabric (buildings, infrastructure and landscape). Physical condition of housing, the surroundings of the home, local accessibility and service provision remains of prime importance but successful integrated responses require to bring this together with other priority, flanking measures and impulses in order to provoke more sustainable solutions. Conversely therefore, the diversity of project focus can in fact narrow the scope of reflection by confronting different response patterns and so place a more complete package of measures at the disposal of cities, policy makers and practitioners, such as (among others) the following:

  • ensuring provision patterns meet the real needs of local inhabitants (articulating quality of supply with sophisticated demand assessment)
  • building community well-being through evaluation and reaction to commonly recognised social, economic, environmental, cultural indicators
  • inciting improvement through processes of soft regulation and guidance (i.e. design coding)
  • encouraging active involvement of essential stakeholders, enablers and particularly local residents (end-users)
     

2. URBACT ARTICLES – Quality Sustainable Living

This article explains the particular aspects of Quality of Life, above the physical factors, which are not only important for the poor neighbourhoods facing special difficulties but more generally for all areas in the recent period of economic and financial austerity. The analysis is based on the parallel overview of the results of three URBACT projects which finished in 2011. Building Healthy Communities, SUITE and HOPUS has not only dealt with three different aspects of Quality of Life (health, affordable housing and design) but also developed important tools, such as health impact assessment, affordable housing delivery mechanisms and design guidance.

Exploring the complementarity between the "Co-responsibility" approach and the working of URBACT Local Support Groups this article was published in the URBACT Tribune (3rd Edition) to coincide with the URBACT Summer University. It explains the particular challenge of engaging with stakeholders on equal terms and the implications of this in relation to policy making and governance as well as economic, family and social issues.

The article addresses the need to acknowledge and intervene in respect of the critical mutual relationship between (un)employment (impact on income generation and capacity for personal responsibility) and continued access to housing. Europe has not been affected by the same levels of home repossession, eviction etc. which have characterised the US experience as a result of the global economic crisis. However existing imbalances between poverty, and expenditure required to ensure housing occupation and capability to remain in the local community have been made even more precarious as a result of reduced employment opportunities, limited income and restricted service provision.   

In view of an apparent revival in the adoption of design coding as a tool to raise quality levels in the urban fabric, particularly in housing areas and their surrounding environment, the paper focuses on the roles and relationships between different stakeholders in steering this process. It explores the comparison between pre-conceptions about coding and how it has/is being used in practice in an attempt to reassess the potential wider role  (across the EU) design coding could play as a real instrument to deliver better living environments for urban populations.    

As the impact of crisis across Europe places extra pressure on housing markets and  systems, the questions of access to housing and prevention of housing loss are becoming even more topical, even critical in certain areas. The adoption of "Housing First" type initiatives and targeted approaches applied by SUITE network partners represent options which may help to ensure that cities remain resilient in the face of job losses and financial incapacities, reductions in housing supply and investment reviews. This article re-emphasises the need for integrated action and for increased vigilance so that relevant authorities and service providers can react pro-actively. 

3. URBACT REPORTS – Quality Sustainable Living

With the prospect of general cuts in public spending set to impact across Europe, the focus of the TOGETHER project on boosting social inclusion and improving well-being for all, has a particular topical relevance. The baseline study provides a statistical assessment of the state of social cohesion in the EU and examines the value and limitations of traditional indicators to measure the linked issues of social cohesion and sustainable development. From this analysis where the lack of citizen participation is presented as a structural problem, the project sets out its objective to apply an alternative co-responsibility methodology - designed to build indicators of well-being together with inhabitants, truly concerned stakeholders and "end-users".  Implicit in the baseline analysis is the challenge confronting the network, to determine to which degree the theory can be universally translated into practice on the European urban stage. This method promoted by the Council of Europe has been piloted by the Lead Partner urban community of Mulhouse (France) and the network partner city, Braine l'Alleud in Belgium.

  • TOGETHER Project: Outputs 2010

While URBACT II propagates integrated, sustainable - and therefore by implication participative – development, the TOGETHER project provides a highly complementary focus on this aspect of participative democracy and action. Network activity is planned to explore the potential of applying the principles, embodied in the Council of Europe initiative "Territories of Co-responsibility", to policy making and implementation at the local city level. The project already posted 4 items in 2010 which together give a very clear overview of the context within which TOGETHER partners expect to develop their individual Local Action Plans - taking URBACT Local Support Group co-production to its logical conclusion. For those interested in understanding the concept of "Territories of Co-responsibility" and its relevance to the TOGETHER network,  the following documents represent recommended reading.

- TOGETHER VADEMECUM: A set of guidelines explaining the principles of "Territories of Co-responsibility" and setting out the steps to be followed by network partner cities.

- Charter of Territories of Co-responsibility: A draft memorandum of agreement which forms the basis for political consensus – a reference point which may evolve in the light of network activity and findings.

- Expert Reports 1 and 2: Two 4 page accounts of lessons learned from  the city pilot experiences of Mulhouse (Fr) and Braine l'Alleud (B) in the project development phase.

With a clear mission to keep us informed of progress in the Together network the Lead expert, Jon Bloomfield, provides another of his synthetic overviews of project partner interaction, this time in the Portuguese town of Covilha. The option adopted by the network is to treat each host city as a case for joint learning and exchange of experience. So alongside an introduction to the city of Covilha, the report describes site visit focus and social/participative initiatives developed in the urban community - particularly as a result of the working of the "Covilha Social Network" organisation.

During the first 7 months of 2011 the Together Lead Expert, Jon Bloomfield, has continued to document his partner city experiences in preparation of the project meetings to be held there. In addition to the reports on Mulhouse, Braine l’Alleud and Covilha, this compilation now adds insight into the context and practices of 4 more cities, in terms of their experiences, ambitions and expectations in relation to the Co-responsibility theme. The concise but informative profiles of Debica, Salaspils, Pergina-Valsugana and Botkyrka can also be consulted as stand-alone reports but this composite picture allows immediate reference and comparison of the various positions and actions under consideration.   

The SUITE baseline study sets out the core topics to be tackled by the network in what is potentially a very broad field.  During the development phase of the project, considerable effort was made to identify the key issues of interest to the partners, so that relevance of network activity could be maximised. The resulting agreement to concentrate on the question of how to make “social housing” financially, socially and environmentally sustainable, immediately  translates into a triangular focus. Here partner concerns and common interests are set against the wider background "the state of play" in terms of achieving stable and affordable housing situations in Europe. In the face of economic slowdown, variable job markets, high prices of basic foods and energy, new pressures of demographic change  the network will seek to identify efficient housing policy as a means of achieving balance relief and stabilisation . This implies serious network consideration of appropriate levels and forms of intervention - particularly to ensure that "social housing" can further guarantee good quality of life for the more disadvantaged segments of the EU population.

Against the backdrop of "Together for Health: A Strategic approach for the EU 2008 – 2013" and the "Second Programme of Community Action in the Field of Health" the project uses the baseline study to place the healthy community issue firmly in a holistic perspective – so not simply concerning the narrow physical well-being of population groups (rather "health as a resource"). Within the 161 page document considerable space is devoted to the positioning of partner cities on Health Impact Assessment and Lifestyle consequences. The depth of partner analysis allows the project to fix its focus on developing the link between health and quality of life where the role of coordinated action and potential benefits of EU support (incl. financial) are considered as key contributing factors to an improved approach.  

  • Final outputs of the SUITE project

The SUITE project was brought to a close with a Final Conference held in Brussels in March 2011. In a well-organised web site it is possible to follow the internal workings of the project and the browse through primary source material brought to the various transnational partner meetings held in  Santiago de Compostela, Nantes and Rennes, Newcastle and Hamburg www.urbact.eu/en/projects/quality-sustainable-living/suite/our-outputs

The final conclusions are of the network are documented in the following reports:

- SUITE Project: Summary of the Final Conference, March 2011
A very short synthesis of the discussions generated by the project Final Conference. For those unfamiliar with the project this gives a rapid indication of both the key topics covered and key players involved, while  providing a pointer to the more detailed information on network activity on the project web site.

- SUITE  The Housing Project: Social and Urban Inclusion through Housing, A SYNTHESIS OF THE LOCAL ACTION PLANS OF THE PARTNERS, March 2011
This 60 page report announces the end of SUITE network activity at least within the URBACT II programme. It  sets the scene for a summary of each partner city Local Action Plan which address the various issues of affordable housing provision identified and resulting from the partner exchange process – improving management and policy structures, developing technological solutions, targeting sustainability and social inclusion. Finally the conclusions of the network are brought together in a closing chapter in the form of a series of agreed, project based policy recommendations for sustainable housing at different implementation levels (local, national and EU).

To coincide with the end conference (23rd April, 2010) and conclusion of project activity the HOPUS network has produced a final publication, a book entitled "Housing for Europe". The theme of the publication is focussed on improving design and sustainability in housing stock through public sector guidance and control, particularly the instrument of design coding.  It includes articles explaining the experiences shared between network partners during the lifecycle of the project – University of Rome, Delft University of Technology, Mediterranean University and City of Reggio Calabria, Gdansk University of Technology.

The book is a compendium of interesting papers on design coding as tool, on housing quality criteria, on various housing sub-themes and is further richly supported by a range of good practice examples drawn from across Europe.

This illustrated 227 page document provides valuable support for policy makers and practitioners involved in tackling the challenges of delivering "Good, Green, Safe, Affordable Housing"  both in the public and private spheres (housing policy makers, housing managers, architects, designers, planners and urban practitioners...).

  • Final outputs of the Building Healthy Communities project

Leading up to the Building Healthy Communities Final Conference held in Brussels in June 2011 thre network published two further documents reporting on partner exchange activity: the IIIrd Thematic Report "Building on the Use of Structural Funds by Regions for Developing Health Gains in Cities", and; the City Guide Report documenting the Local Action Plan initiatives in the network partner cities.

- Building Healthy Communities IIIrd Thematic Report – "Building on the Use of Structural Funds by Regions for Developing Health Gains in Cities" March 2011

Engaging with Managing Authorities has generally proved to be challenging for the partners of the Building Healthy Communities project. Nevertheless the exchange workshop organised in Bacau did allow the network to examine the link between structural funds and the ambition of “health in all policies”. The results are reproduced here in a short (28 page) but comprehensive evaluation of the current state of play concerning direct and indirect investment , applied or available, for Health support affecting cities.

- Building Healthy Communities – "City Guide Report"

This compilation document incorporates a concise summary of the focus of all 10  partner city Local Actions developed within the framework of the Building Healthy Communities project.  

This synthetic document, produced during the project's first Thematic Workshop in Lódz (Poland) in June 2009, outlines the process of defining mutually agreed, measurable indicators related to health and quality of life. Workshop participants focussed on three themes: economic development; cultural and social cohesion; and environmental regeneration in order to scope needs and priorities. This document provides a detailed but highly accessible review of the projects reference framework. It represents a particularly topical introduction for those seeking to integrate health issues into urban policy formulation and a model confirmation for decision makers already working with this subject matter. Furthermore, the report incorporates a very informative glossary definition of the indicators selected and in conclusion, a short overview of the orientations of project partners' Local Action Plans.

Building Healthy Communities makes a strong connection between evolving transnational even global (WHO) positioning on health and quality of life issues and the urban dimension. The report provides a punctual thematic analysis resulting from ongoing partner exchanges where the importance of improved assessment capacity to better inform citizens, policy makers and practitioners about health/lifestyle conditions and expectations is set firmly as a priority. Two project exchange events in Barnsley (Social Marketing) and Madrid (Urban regeneration and quality of life indicators) are detailed, reinforcing the argument for improved policy implementation where multi-level funding and governance (EU, national, local - public and private) are urged to join forces in structuring more effective response patterns.

 

4. URBACT CASE STUDIES – Quality Sustainable Living

While much attention is currently directed to the societal impacts of ageing demographic patterns, the young are also in certain ways growing older younger. It might be expected therefore that in coming years many young people shall experience unprecedented levels of opportunity - but others will continue to face serious difficulties in the passage from school and teenager life to the "age of full responsibility". The URBACT study on cities reaction to the crisis, for instance, shows that young people are disproportionately worst affected in terms of rising unemployment across Europe. Within the objectives of an inclusive "Quality Sustainable Living" the City of Newcastle's Pathways initiative is designed to help and support young people, in difficult family relationships or in other challenging situations, to make the transition to independent living where necessary. This accompaniment objectively evaluates young clients options, guiding them to independent accommodation where appropriate and coaching them to ensure that they can maximise their chances of maintaining a durable security of housing (with all the social and financial skills this entails).
The project can already present an important positive effect, resulting from it's cross stakeholder cooperation model and "hands-on" approach.



5. URBACT EVENTS – Quality Sustainable Living

Calendar of the Together Transnational Meetings in 2012:

  • Braine l’Alleud (BE) 27-29 March
  • Kavala (GR) 19-21 June
  • Pergine (IT) 11-13 September
  • Mulhouse (FR) 21-23 November Final Conference

6. Other EVENTS relevant for Cities concerned with Quality Sustainable Living

  • "The European urban fabric in the 21st century" European Summit of Regions and Cities. Copenhagen, 22-23 March 2012 How can we involve the public in regional and local projects? Almost all European cities face the challenges of social inclusion and the need to better engage with their citizens: partnerships and bottom-up participatory processes can increase people's awareness and support for local democratic institutions, as well as ensuring ownership and more efficient public investment to create cities of the future. How can we help the EU multilevel governance system encourage the dissemination and scaling-up of local and regional best practices to foster democracy? Simon Güntner, Professor at the University of Hamburg for Applied Sciences; Milan Ftáčnik, Mayor of Bratislava, Member of the CoR, Georgios Kaminis, Mayor of Athens, Member of the CoR, Elzbieta Bienkowska, Polish Minister for Regional Development (tbc)
  • Multinational knowledge brokerage event in the area of Sustainable Housing 28‐30 March 2012, Barcelona University of Barcelona, Institute of Environmental Science and Technology. housing@SCP‐RESPONDER.eu, www.SCP‐RESPONDER.eu
  • Designing Place - International Urban Design Conference 2 - 3 April 2012 Nottingham Designing Place is an International Urban Design Conference organised by the Urban Design Research Group at the Department of Architecture and Built Environment, The University of Nottingham.
  • First International Conference on Architecture and Urban Design, Epoka University in Tirana, Albania on April 19-21, 2012. We expect an international audience of about 150 persons, including academics, practicing architects, urban designers, and planners.
  • 'Contemporary Housing Issues in a Changing Europe' 20th – 21st April 2012 National University of Ireland, Galway.  The conference will offer the opportunity to explore significant contemporary issues arising in the area of Housing Law, Rights and Policy from both a European and International perspective. The conference will include but is not limited to the following themes: Housing and homelessness, international perspectives on developments in housing law, rights and policy, impact of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on housing and independent living, impact of the EU Charter of Rights and the Treaty of Lisbon on housing, land and planning, recent developments in EU/US mortgage law and policy, developments in the rented housing sector in Europe, consumer protection and defining the relationship between law, rights and policy in housing, land and planning in the meta-regulatory era and public interest law and housing rights.
  • Liechtenstein Congress on Sustainable Development and Responsible Investing 2012 Awaken by environmental, energy, financial, and political challenges the global economy is transforming fast, from short-term thinking and a systemic reliance on non-renewable resources, to building an innovative, just, sustainable and prosperous future, manifested in sustainable assets, healthy communities and social equity.
  • 2nd International Congress on Urban and Environmental Issues and Policies, 4-6 May, Trabzon, Turkey
  • RSA EUROPEAN CONFERENCE 2012 Networked regions and cities in times of fragmentation: Developing smart, sustainable and inclusive places 13th - 16th May 2012  Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
  • The 22nd International Network of Urban Research and Action (INURA) meeting takes place in Tallinn  in 17th – 24th June 2012. It is open to people all around the world who are dealing with urban issues through research and/or activism. As the conference is located Tallinn, Estonia, a post-socialist country but with history and culture close to northern countries, we are especially looking for reseachers and activists from Northern Europe and East and Central Europe. The event can be an opportunity for people struggling with similar issues, to share experience and learn new approaches. The theme of the conference is Active Urbanism. The conference is discussing possibilities and problems to achieve positive outcomes in urban livelihood through small bottom-up initiatives. There has been an increase of urban art and active engagements with urban environment in many places in the world, Tallinn included. Fun and enjoyment have been important triggers for such activities. But what larger social goals such activities can achieve? How to go beyond simple enjoyment and move towards tackling crucial issues related to social justice and living possibilities for disadvantaged groups of society?
  • Healthy Buildings 2012: 10th Annual Conference. 8-12 July 2012 – Brisbane
  • The 48th ISOCARP Congress will take place in Perm, Russia, 9-14 September 2012. An agreement was signed during the 47th Congress in Wuhan, China. The topic is: "Fast Forward - planning in a hyper-dynamic urban context".
     

7. Useful LINKS for Cities working on Quality Sustainable Living