EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - The PURE Guidebook on Participation

The PURE Guidebook on Participation

Introduction

PURE North Sea is a EU project, which started in 2002 and lasted for four years. Led by the Province of Groningen, partners from England, Sweden and the Netherlands set up and realised a great number of projects in those four years.

Description

Effective planning for sustainable water management and spatial solutions in the urban fringe zone requires participation by a wide range of groups and interests. This zone is under pressure from the need for development for housing, employment and transport. It also present multiple opportunities for maintaining and enhancing the green infrastructure necessary to minimise flood risk and to improve the quality of life provided by increased biodiversity and recreational activities. Novel and innovative solutions devised by experts need to be accepted by local people: residents and local landowners can be the key to the successful stewardship of these areas.

EU involvement

The project is partially funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Conclusions

Participation has led to an enhanced relevance of planning and the decision-making process.
Participation helped building capacity to implement improvements to the urban-rural environment.
Participation has also led to a greater sense of understanding among those involved.

Contact info

PURE Secretariat

Publication date

01/02/2006

Cities

The North Sea area: Groningen, Deventer, Goteborg and the North East of the United Kingdom.

Links

The PURE North Sea project on EUKN The Province of Groningen, the lead partner (in Dutch)

The PURE Guidebook on Participation (PDF, Eng, 4 MB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Keywords

Citizens' participation