The Handbook of Sustainable Urban Development Strategies

The Handbook of Sustainable Development Strategies 

What is it ? 

The Handbook of Sustainable Urban Development Strategies was published in January 2020 by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in collaboration with DG REGIO. 

It a provides methodological support to design, implement and monitor urban development strategies under Cohesion Policy.

It refers to Sustainable Urban Development (SUD) as supported by the European Regional Development Fund during the current programming period (2014-2020) and the upcoming one (2021-2027) 

It is structured around six building blocks – main principles – of the EU integrated approach to urban development:

1. strategic dimension
2. territorial focus
3. Governance
4. Cross-sectoral integration
5. Funding and finance
6. Monitoring

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For Whom ? 

The Handbook has as main targets:

• Local authorities (cities, intermediate bodies)
• Managing authorities (regions, national governments)
• Practitioners and other relevant stakeholders

It is especially useful for public authorities less familiar with the functioning of EU funds

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 How does it work ? 

• Each chapter is dedicated to a building-block, and focuses on most critic and recurrent issues at stake. 
• For each issue key challenges are identified, and tackled through examples, data, potential risks and link to other resources.
• For each issue a series of recommendations is listed.

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