In April, I had the opportunity to join the 3rd transnational meeting of the project in Ennis, Ireland, as an ad-hoc expert. One of the central themes was a session on “Funding the 30-Minute Territory” to align IAP development with funding opportunities from the start.
To plan the intervention, it was necessary to assess the skills and capacities of the city representatives at the meeting. We evaluated the group's experience with Structural Funds and European Funds, asking them to rate their proficiency in the following areas: “Sourcing of Funding”; “Writing Funding Applications”; “Coordination and Project Management”; “Project Partners”; and “Internal Department Dedicated to Funding.”
Not surprisingly, the group showed more familiarity with “Structural Funds” than with “European Funds,” as can be seen in the images below. Individually, many cities lacked internal departments dedicated to funding, which affected their ability to source and apply for grants. This aligns with the typical funding and resourcing profile of other cities.
The "30-minute city" is a concept in urban planning that aims to design cities in such a way that all essential services and amenities are accessible within a 30-minute public transport ride from any resident's home. This approach focuses on creating a more integrated and efficient urban environment that enhances the quality of life for its residents and reduces urban sprawl and environmental impact.
To implement actions to develop a “30-minute city” concept, cities need funding and resourcing to support multiple and diversified investments, such as for: Accessibility, ensuring that schools, workplaces, healthcare facilities, grocery stores, and cultural or recreational venues are all within a half-hour's travel by public transit, bike, or walking. Also, for Sustainability, by reducing the need for long commutes and promoting more sustainable modes of transport such as cycling, walking, and public transit, contributing to lowering carbon emissions and reducing traffic congestion. Economic is another crucial element, by shortening travel times and distances can lead to significant economic benefits, including reduced transport costs for individuals and families. It also leads to higher Productivity as less time is spent commuting and Improving Quality of Life with better and more accessible services and amenities, allowing for more leisure time, less stress from commuting, and more opportunities for community interaction and recreational activities.
Public funding from Structural or European Funds plays a pivotal role in the successful implementation of the IAPs, particularly for effective mobility in the "30-minute city" model. These funds often leverage additional financing through public-private partnerships (PPPs), which bring private expertise and reduce public financial burdens.
Cities need to develop the right mindset for funding and resourcing innovative actions by recognizing the following principles:
Transformative Investment
Cities are not applying for a grant or subsidy; they are applying for an investment that can transform the city. Viewing funding applications as investments that can positively transform cities in terms of quality of life, sustainability, mobility, resilience, and attractiveness.
Continuous Process
Establishing funding and resourcing as ongoing activities rather than one-time efforts, cities should integrate it into their ongoing strategic planning and operational activities. This approach ensures that financial resources are consistently available to support long-term goals and adapt to emerging needs. By treating funding and resourcing as continuous processes, cities can maintain momentum in their development initiatives, avoid funding gaps, and swiftly respond to new opportunities or challenges. This method involves regularly reviewing and updating funding strategies, fostering strong relationships with potential funders, and continuously seeking new funding sources. Additionally, this ongoing approach encourages cities to build robust internal capacities for managing funds, including establishing dedicated departments or teams focused on grant writing, financial management, and project coordination. By embedding funding and resourcing into the fabric of urban planning, cities can ensure a steady flow of resources to support sustainable growth and innovation.
Broad and Creative Sourcing
Broad and creative sourcing of funds involves actively engaging with a wide network of colleagues, partners, and stakeholders to identify and explore diverse funding options. This proactive approach ensures that cities do not rely solely on traditional funding streams but also tap into a variety of innovative and unconventional sources. Consulting with a broad range of stakeholders — including local businesses, community organizations, academic institutions, and government agencies — can reveal unique funding opportunities that might otherwise be overlooked. For example, partnerships with local businesses might lead to sponsorships or corporate social responsibility initiatives, while collaborations with academic institutions could open doors to research grants and innovation funds. Exploring various funding options also means considering different types of financial instruments and mechanisms. Cities should look beyond grants and subsidies to include options such as bonds, impact investments, and venture capital. Green bonds, for instance, are increasingly popular for financing environmentally sustainable projects, attracting investors who are focused on sustainability and social impact. Moreover, engaging with international funding bodies and programs, such as those offered by the European Union or other global organizations, can provide access to significant resources and technical assistance. Cities can also benefit from public-private partnerships (PPPs), where private sector investment is leveraged to complement public funding, bringing in expertise and efficiency to urban development projects.
Mixed Financial Sources
Combining public, private, regional, national, and EU funds to finance both tangible and intangible actions. This approach leverages the strengths of various funding streams to create a comprehensive and resilient financial strategy for the 30-min territory projects. By integrating multiple sources of funding, cities can achieve a diversified financial base that mitigates the risk associated with relying on a single funding source. Public funds, often sourced from local, regional, and national government budgets, provide essential support for core infrastructure and public services, such as public transportation. Private investment brings additional capital and expertise to urban development projects. This can include direct investments, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Private investors often introduce innovative practices and efficiency, helping to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. Regional funds, such as those from regional development agencies, can be targeted towards specific geographic areas or sectors, addressing regional disparities and promoting balanced development. These funds can be particularly effective in supporting projects that align with regional priorities and economic strategies. National funds, provided by central governments, often come with specific policy objectives and can be substantial in scale. EU funds, including grants and loans from the European Union, offer significant support for projects that align with EU policies and goals, such as sustainability, innovation, and cohesion.
These funds can be used to support cross-border projects, research and development, and large-scale infrastructure projects that contribute to the overall development of member states. Horizontal integration of these diverse financial sources allows cities to create a synergistic funding strategy. This approach not only ensures the availability of necessary funds but also aligns different financial streams with the specific needs and goals of urban development projects. By combining public and private investments, cities can maximize the impact of each funding source, fostering innovation and ensuring sustainable growth. Furthermore, mixed financial sources enable cities to pursue both tangible and intangible actions. Tangible actions include physical infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and public buildings, while intangible actions encompass initiatives such as capacity building, community engagement, and policy development. By addressing both physical and non-physical needs, cities can create a more holistic and sustainable urban environment.
The table below can help cities to coordinate mixed financial sources through horizontal integration, building this as a robust and flexible funding strategy. This approach not only enhances financial resilience but also promotes comprehensive and inclusive urban development, ensuring that cities can effectively meet the diverse needs of their populations.
Innovative Funding Strategies
These include several key approaches. Green bonds are fixed-income instruments specifically earmarked for climate and environmental projects, such as sustainable public transit systems. These bonds attract environmentally conscious investors and often have lower interest rates. Crowdfunding is another strategy that engages the community and stakeholders to raise funds for specific projects, fostering a sense of ownership and support. Aligning these funding strategies with significant policy challenges is key for maximizing their impact. For instance, cities should ensure their funding initiatives are in sync with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the EU Green Deal, EU climate goals, and the broader transport sector objectives. This alignment ensures that projects contribute to overarching policy aims and are eligible for various funding programs and incentives at the national, regional, and municipal levels.
A path to Urban Sustainable Mobility
In conclusion, the concept of the "30-Minute Territory" represents a transformative approach to urban planning, emphasizing the critical role of accessible, efficient, and sustainable transportation systems. Through a variety of funding mechanisms — public funding, private investment, and innovative financial tools such as green bonds and crowdfunding — cities around the world can build infrastructure that not only reduces travel time but also enhances the quality of life for all residents.
The integration of diverse funding streams ensures that urban mobility projects are both viable and sustainable. Public funding lays the foundational support, bolstering essential infrastructure developments and maintenance. Private investments inject efficiency and innovation, bringing advanced technologies and practices that can significantly enhance service delivery. Meanwhile, innovative funding methods like green bonds align urban development with environmental goals, providing cities with the financial means to pursue eco-friendly projects that attract socially conscious investments.
ECONNECTING cities are facing the challenge of maintaining and improving accessibility. The successful realization of the 30-Minute Territory depends not only on the amount of funding available but also on reliable, feasible and robust IAPs. By harnessing these diverse funding sources and fostering a collaborative approach to urban mobility, cities can create more liveable, equitable, and resilient environments. This will not only facilitate easier and faster commutes but will also drive broader social and economic benefits, underscoring the profound impact that well-funded and efficiently managed transport infrastructure can have on urban life.
