The research project explored relations between urban and rural areas in terms of exchange processes, institutional links and interdependencies. These relations are of special interest on the background of the diverse structure of the EU territory and the neighbouring countries. They have developed substantially during the last decades, however differently within Europe in accordance to the diversity of spatial contexts.

The research project investigated the future perspective for urban-rural relationships and the system of mutual exchange, where cities provide services, cultural activities, infrastructures and the major access to the labour market, while rural areas, still producing agricultural products, provide leisure potential and green spaces (amenities). Moreover, the viability of rural areas as well as their dependency on urban areas was looked at. Finally, the aspects of co-operation and partnerships were analysed with a focus on their potential contribution to a sustainable development of rural areas.

The project was launched under the ESPON programme following an integrated approach and having a European territorial dimension. In general these projects cover a wide range of issues stretching from scientific methods and data bases via strategic projects to institutional and instrumental questions. The project “Urban-rural relations in Europe” is one of a series of thematic studies on the territorial effects of major spatial developments, based on typologies of regions, and the situation of cities on the basis of broad empirical data.

The various aspects of urban-rural relations have been studied on the European level by developing a typology of urban and rural Europe. The classification is based on two main indicators revealing the inter-dependency of rural and urban territories: the degree of urban influence is defined by population density and functional asset, the degree of human intervention is specified by land use, i.e. the relative share of artificial surfaces and of agricultural land in a region. The typology includes six categories resulting from the intermeshing of these two dimensions.

The project was launched in the framework of the ESPON programme which is financed by the EU Community Initiative INTERREG IIIB.

The project reveals the profound diversity of the European territory. Urban influenced areas sprawl far beyond the boundaries of agglomerations, whereas rural areas can include urban centres. Even medium-sized and smaller centres can be successful as a result of the increased demand for services and the out-migration of population and activities from agglomerations. The attractiveness of rural areas can be increased by exploiting cultural diversity and natural asset.

Helsinki University of Technology - Centre for Urban and Regional Studies
Finland
Phone: +358 9 4514098, +46 8 4635411
http://www.tkk.fi/Units/Separate/YTK/
Mr Christer BENGS

31/03/2005

31/03/2005

Centre for Urban and Regional Studies, Helsinki University of Technology (Lead Partner in the project): Christer Bengs and Kaisa Schmidt-Thomé

research

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Land use

Urban-rural relationship