NOTICE: Due to the virus COVID-19 situation and the measures taken by all EU member states this event is cancelled.

The ESPON seminar “Territorial development and green transition: a future for all places” is organised in cooperation with the Croatian Presidency of the EU Council in the framework of the ESPON 2020 Cooperation Programme, which aims to support policy development for promoting territorial cohesion and harmonious development of the European territory.

The discussion for a green Europe is included in the priorities of the Croatian Presidency in the context of sustainable growth and development. A “Greener Europe” has also become a top priority of the new European Commission, as outlined in the European Green Deal. The Territorial Agenda 2020+ sets out to achieve a “Green Europe” that protects our common livelihoods and shapes societal transition processes.

In the context of this green transition, it is essential to make sure that all places make the most of their development potential. This will be particularly relevant for countries and regions disproportionately affected by demographic changes.

This ESPON seminar will serve these development ambitions with two new ESPON Policy Briefs, one on “Green Infrastructure in Urban Areas” and one on “Re-Use of Buildings and Spaces”.

Both Policy Briefs will be discussed during the first day in the form of three parallel workshops after a high-level political debate. These workshops will involve ESPON researchers and external experts from academia, NGOs and policymaking. In addition, networking sessions will be organised around ongoing ESPON activities related to open data and sustainable development goals, spatial planning practices, quality of life and tourism and new businesses and industry patterns.

The second day will be dedicated to the future of ESPON in the post-2020 period, launching an official public consultation on the next programme. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to get an overview of future activities of the current ESPON Programme.

The ESPON seminars are organised twice a year in cooperation with the running Presidency of the EU Council. They aim to connect policymakers, stakeholders and practitioners from all levels of governance with researchers and experts. They provide fresh insights on key topics related to development challenges in European regions and cities, and in the context of the Territorial and Urban Agendas. With its specific focus on “Green transition”, this ESPON seminar also targets stakeholders and practitioners involved in transformation processes towards more sustainable economies and societies.