What's new

France’s ÉcoQuartier label, an initiative to support communities for sustainable city planning

The concept of “écoquartier” - the term is a contraction of the two French words “quartier” and “écologique” (ecological neighbourhood) - was inspired by Northern European countries experiences of eco-districts.

By creating a Label, delivered in four stages and according to urban sustainable development criteria, the French State wanted to push the approach one step further. The approach was successful in France, now also opened to other neighbourhoods and cities throughout the world.

Eco-districts: historical background of the concept and first projects in Europe

PROJECT "VITAL CITIES" COMES TO THE END BUT LOULÉ WANTS TO KEEP INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

The ten cities that form the European network "Vital Cities" gathered on March 19 and 20 in Loulé, for the final meeting of this project to promote physical activity. As a leading partner, Loulé was the host of this review event where the partners had a clear positive balance, especially in the exchange of experiences and good practices.

Combating sedentariness in all age groups, creating solutions in the public space to encourage the population to practice sports, breaking social barriers through sport, promoting actions in poor areas, are some of the commitments assumed by the network that, in addition to Loulé, has also joined Burgas (Bulgaria), Krakow (Poland), Budapest (Hungary), Birmingham (England), Vestfold County / Horten (Norway), Rieti (Italy), Usti Nad Labem (Czech Republic), Liepaja and Sibenik (Croatia).

Freight TAILS lead partner Cross River Partnership shares urban freight experiences

As we approach the final few weeks of the Freight TAILS project, lead partner Cross River Partnership (acting on behalf of City of Westminster) publishes a series of case studies highlighting their work related to urban freight transport.  

More Freight TAILS Focus....

The Freight TAILS network is pleased to publish the final three 'Focus on...' reports summarising the views and experiences of our 10 partner cities on our themes of Urban Freight Transport and Regulation & Enforcement, Voluntary Behaviour Change, and Procurement.

Cities in migration - A conversation with Anne Bathily on integration

I have first met Anne Bathily, expert on integration policies former policy officer at European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) and now at UNHCR for Northern Europe, in the early meetings of the EU Urban Agenda Inclusion of migrants and refugees.

Since then, we entered in never ending and always enriching informal conversations about  the role of cities in integration of migrants and refugees.

This article is a recollection of our conversations. It looks forward at ways to capitalise on the work that URBACT network Arrival cities has achieved in the last 2 years.

Murcia - Integrated Action Plan

How can cities develop long-term strategies that integrate the goals of more sustainable resource use, reduced carbon emissions and more equitable social development? Learn more through this video! This video is part of the URBACT II Capitalisation Workstreams.