Sustainable Development Of European Cities And Regions (environment & Policy) (environment & Policy)

Sustainable development has been the basic goal of the European Union since the Treaty of Amsterdam. After an in-depth analysis of the concept, the book goes on to translate the concept into practicable and tangible opportunities for urban and regional sustainable development. Extensive lists of criteria and indicators have been developed for additional explanation and support. An entirely new and innovative system for sustainability planning is presented, based on the interdependence of the cities and their `hinterlands' and on the conviction that the development of one or more key sectors usually has a better potential for success than striving for overall sustainability planning right from the start. Although the approach itself is fundamental, it has been guided throughout by practical applicability and realism. It has been tested in case studies in a number of European regions, with agriculture and forestry, small and medium sized industries, and tourism as key sectors. Detailed guidelines are given on how to apply the methodology in practice, how to embed existing practices within it, and how to manage the indispensable stakeholder participation. The chapter on European Union policies, activities and possible sources of funding completes the work. __Readership__: Required reading for all those involved in urban and regional sustainable development.

Sustainable development has been the basic goal of the European Union since the Treaty of Amsterdam. After an in-depth analysis of the concept, the book goes on to translate the concept into practicable and tangible opportunities for urban and regional sustainable development. Extensive lists of criteria and indicators have been developed for additional explanation and support. An entirely new and innovative system for sustainability planning is presented, based on the interdependence of the cities and their 'hinterlands' and on the conviction that the development of one or more key sectors usually has a better potential for success than striving for overall sustainability planning right from the start.
Although the approach itself is fundamental, it has been guided throughout by practical applicability and realism. It has been tested in case studies in a number of European regions, with agriculture and forestry, small and medium sized industries, and tourism as key sectors. Detailed guidelines are given on how to apply the methodology in practice, how to embed existing practices within it, and how to manage the indispensable stakeholder participation. The chapter on European Union policies, activities and possible sources of funding completes the work.
Readership: Required reading for all those involved in urban and regional sustainable development.

Front Matter....Pages i-vii Introduction....Pages 1-4 Sustainable Development: a well-defined political Concept....Pages 5-35 Sustainable Development: from the global to the local Level....Pages 37-61 Criteria and Indicators for regional Sustainable Development....Pages 63-83 City-Hinterland Relationships....Pages 85-99 Methodology for regional sustainability Planning....Pages 101-139 SUDECIR in Practice — the industrial complex of the feldbach region....Pages 141-166 SUDECIR in Practice — the Trier Region....Pages 167-202 SUDECIR in Practice — the Tourism on the Island of Rhodes....Pages 203-240 Lessons from the Case Studies....Pages 241-244 Cities, regions and the European Union....Pages 245-261 Highlights, conclusions and recommendations....Pages 263-279 Back Matter....Pages 281-302