The sociometrex project addresses the issue of social sustainability. It aims to produce concrete answers with a practical applicability.

The socio metrex project  seeks to identify and assess the social, economic and environmental causes of urban deprivation. In continuation, this project assesses the balance between modes of movement, transportation and the interchange within metropolitan regions. In addition, this project evaluates the causes of population movement and generators of housing demand that demonstrate the balance between the labour market and the regional economic base. This happens within metropolitan regions and areas based on the experience and practice of the  partners.

The goal of this research project is to bring together practitioners in metropolitan spatial planning and development in a series of expert group workshops. The project identifies, through case study experience, the specific ways in which the strategic planning process can contribute to social sustainability. In addition integrated urban social, economic and environmental sustainability can be achieved.

In order to promote and foster networking METREX meets biannually, holds a conference biennially and its activities include expert groups working on issues of common interest and projects within European Commission Programmes.

The conclusion from the four profiles received, is that the information included does indeed give a helpful comparative overview of the socio-economic characteristics of the partner metropolitan areas.

• Household size in Copenhagen and Rotterdam is much lower than in the CEEC- Central and Eastern European countries - and in Athens and Thessaloniki where new household formation could be a source of future housing demand.

• It is interesting to compare the age structures (youth, working age, retired) within the EU – European Union - and the CEEC – Central and Eastern European countries - and to consider the social issues that could be anticipated.

• Structural unemployment and skill levels are shown as a key issue in the EU – European union - and CEEC – Central and Eastern European countries.

•There is a wide gap between income levels in the EU – European Union and the CEEC - central and eastern European countries - which makes social comparisons difficult. Expenditure patterns shift from housing/food as prosperity increases.

METREX- The network of European metropolitan regions and areas.

18/05/2001

SOCIOMETREX

research

Urban Policy > Housing > Housing policy

Housing need