EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - ENVIPLANS - Urban Environment Management Plans

ENVIPLANS - Urban Environment Management Plans

Introduction

The aim of the project is to encourage the development, exchange and implementation of practical experiences in the field of integrated management systems and programmes for the urban environment. The focus of the project is on southern Europe.

Description

The South European area needs specific and common action on managing the urban environment. The area registers a sort of delay in the conception and implementation of Action Plans on the issue. Southern Europe is characterised by some common facts (and common differences in comparison with many of Central and Northern European countries):

environmental aspects (e.g. climatic conditions, the role of Mediterranean/Adriatic sea, historical heritage and urban design);
trends of the main driving forces (e.g. urban mobility patterns strongly oriented to private motorised mode);
delays and weaknesses in institutional/policy responses.

In southern Europe, the role of local authorities as active players in sustainable development implementation is clearly emerging. They might also act as potential bridges connecting Eastern European, Southern Mediterranean and North African countries.

According to ENVIPLANS’ project partners and participants, these plans should help tackle the wide set of environmental problems present in urban areas (road traffic, water quality, waste management, energy consumption, noise and air pollution, land-use etc.) in an integrated way.

Participants

The ENVIPLANS Core Group is formed by the following cities and regions:

City of Firenza;
City of Padova;
Urban Area Cosenza Rende;
City of Rijeka:
Urban Area Ouest Provence.

Network lead

Coordinamento nazionale Agende 21 locali Italiane

Objectives

By implementing action plans, ENVIPLANS members seek to:

reduce the ecological footprint of urban areas and their impact on global resources;
improve air/soil quality, preserve natural areas and biodiversity;
promote a more efficient use of resources and environmentally responsible life-styles and consumption;
reduce traffic congestion and its effects on human health, promote more sustainable transport models;
improve urban liveliness, quality of life of citizens, social equity and integration, access to services/ resources;
greening the local economy.

Products

The final outcome of the project will be a set of guidelines on how to run integrated Urban Environment Management Plans in southern Europe. In December 2006 these guidelines will be available to all interested local authorities.

EU involvement

The network is co-financed by the European Union.

Contact info

ENVIPLANS - Coordinamento nazionale Agende 21 locali Italiane
Phone: +39 (0)59 209434
info@enviplans.net

Links

ENVIPLANS

ENVIPLANS brochure (PDF, Eng, 610 KB)

Document type

network

Themes

Urban Policy > Urban environment

Keywords

Environmental sustainability