Innovative solutions for inclusive and sustainable urban environments

The increasing percentage of people living in urban areas and the impact of digital technologies on public services make good governance, inclusive policies, smart planning and social and environmental sustainability ever more important for ensuring the quality of human life. Urban environments and agglomeration effects provide an ecosystem for economic growth and innovation. While the impact of the recent financial crisis on European urban areas is by no means uniform, it has led in many instances to rising socio-economic inequalities that are affecting social cohesion and resilience. The challenge is to identify the main drivers of inequalities in different urban and peri-urban contexts and to identify best practices and initiatives, including digital solutions and alternative participatory growth models, with potential for upscaling that can promote upward social mobility, social inclusion and cohesion, resilience and sustainable development.

Scope

a) Coordination and Support Action (2018)

The Urban Research Platform should bring together researchers, policy-makers and other experts on equitable, inclusive and sustainable urban development. It should map, assess, distil and communicate findings and recommendations from the many relevant projects on these issues funded under FP7 and H2020 and translate these into clear and applicable policy recommendations. It should facilitate knowledge sharing and connectivity between researchers, policy makers and practitioners.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU in the order of EUR 1.5 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

b) Research and Innovation action (2019)

Proposals should assess the scale, dimensions and drivers of socio-economic inequalities in urban and peri-urban settings across different city typologies, across Europe and across demographic diversities, paying particular attention to gender differences. They should assess the effectiveness at local level of relevant policies, strategies, planning practices and other interventions aimed at promoting social inclusion, cohesion and resilience in urban environments, including new and participatory models of growth that foster sustainable and equitable prosperity. Findings should be communicated also in the form of clearly formulated policy recommendations.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU in the order of EUR 3 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected Impact

By linking research, innovation and policy, the action will support urban strategies, policies and planning practices to promote equitable, inclusive and sustainable growth, including the uptake of new, participatory and alternative growth models. It will contribute to the advancement of the EU Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goal dedicated to making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. It will also inform the continuous development and implementation of Smart Specialisation as well as the urban dimension of cohesion policy.

Delegation Exception Footnote

This activity is directly aimed at supporting the development and implementation of evidence base for R&I policies and supporting various groups of stakeholders. It is excluded from the delegation to Research Executive Agency and will be implemented by the Commission services.

Cross-cutting Priorities

• Gender
• Open Innovation
• Socio-economic science and humanities