References

Original Reference: EC (2019c). Report from the EC to the EU Parliament and the Council on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and the Floods Directive (2007/60/EC): 2nd River Basin Management Plans; 1st Flood Risk Management Plans. COM(2019) 95 final

Brief Summary: The European Green Deal outlines actions to achieve a sustainable economy. RAPs should incorporate Green Deal principles, focusing on reducing carbon emissions, promoting clean energy, and fostering green jobs in both rural and urban regions. PoliRuralPlus pilots can align their regional action plans with these goals to drive sustainable development.

URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52019DC0095

Original Reference: EC (2020). Heating and cooling

Brief Summary: This resource discusses energy efficiency in heating and cooling systems. RAPs should promote energy-efficient technologies across rural-urban areas, reducing energy consumption and emissions. PoliRuralPlus pilots can benefit from integrating these technologies into regional energy strategies to support sustainability and climate goals.

URL: https://ec.europa.eu/energy/topics/energy-efficiency/heating-and-cooling_en

Original Reference: Vojinovic, Z. (2020). Nature-based Solutions for flood mitigation and coastal resilience: analysis of EU-funded projects. EU Publications Office, Luxembourg.

Brief Summary: Offers guidance on developing integrated urban-rural development strategies. Recommendations: RAPs should adhere to EU policy frameworks, promoting collaboration between urban and rural stakeholders to ensure coherent development policies and inclusive growth across regions.

URL: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/4f8b2e1d-5cd2-11ea-8b81-01aa75ed71a1/language-en

Original Reference: Wild, T. (2020). Nature-based Solutions: improving water quality and waterbody conditions – analysis of EU-funded projects. EU Publications Office, Luxembourg.

Brief Summary: Provides guidance on water management and nature-based solutions. Recommendations: RAPs should incorporate EU water management practices that leverage natural solutions, ensuring sustainable water use and improved ecosystem services for both rural and urban areas.

URL: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/4f8b2e1d-5cd2-11ea-8b81-01aa75ed71a1/language-en

Original Reference: Calfapietra, C. (2020). Nature-based Solutions for microclimate regulation and air quality: analysis of EU-funded projects. EU Publications Office, Luxembourg

Brief Summary: This document discusses the EU’s strategies for rural development, highlighting the importance of cohesion policies and integrated territorial investments (ITI). Implications: Integrated planning across rural and urban regions ensures balanced development. Recommendations: PoliRuralPlus pilots should align with EU territorial strategies, particularly those focusing on cohesion and territorial cooperation. Regional action plans should incorporate ITI mechanisms to facilitate investment in cross-regional projects and support rural economic growth.

URL: EU Territorial Strategies for Rural Areas

Original Reference: EC (2012). A Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Water Resources. COM/2012/0673

Brief Summary: The EU Water Blueprint focuses on sustainable water resource management. RAPs should prioritize water conservation and management policies that address both rural and urban needs, ensuring resilience in water supply. PoliRuralPlus pilots can adopt integrated water management strategies to improve sustainability in rural-urban linkages.

URL: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/blueprint/index_en.htm

Original Reference: Haase, D. et al. (2017). Greening cities – to be socially inclusive? About the alleged paradox of society and ecology in cities. Habitat International: 41-48.

Brief Summary: Discusses sustainable habitat development practices. PoliRuralPlus should incorporate sustainable habitat strategies in RAPs to ensure housing, infrastructure, and community services are accessible across rural-urban regions.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2017.05.005

Original Reference: Trinomics & Wood (2019). Fitness Check Evaluation of the Water Framework Directive & the Floods Directive. Study contract for European Commission DG ENV.

Brief Summary: This report evaluates the effectiveness of the EU’s water management policies. Implication: PoliRuralPlus should adopt best practices from the Water Framework Directive to improve water resource management in rural-urban planning.

URL: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/pdf/Fitness_Check_2019.pdf

Original Reference: EU (2007). Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on the assessment and management of flood risks. Brussels, European Parliament

Brief Summary: This directive sets out strategies for sustainable water management across Europe. RAPs should prioritize water conservation and management strategies that address both rural and urban water needs. PoliRuralPlus pilots can integrate these principles to ensure long-term water security and improve environmental health in rural-urban regions.

URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:32007L0060

Original Reference: EC (2015b). The fourth implementation report: Assessment of the Water Framework Directive Programmes of Measures and the Flood Directive, Communication and Staff Working Documents

Brief Summary: These reports review the implementation of the Water Framework Directive across Europe. RAPs should focus on implementing integrated water management strategies that address rural and urban water needs, improving water quality and resource sustainability. PoliRuralPlus pilots can leverage these insights to ensure water security across regions.

URL: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/impl_reports.htm#fourth

Original Reference: CIRCABC (2018). Common Implementation Strategy for the Water Framework Directive and the Floods Directive: Work Programme 2019-2021. EU Water Directors, Vienna, November 2018

Brief Summary: This work programme outlines the EU’s priorities for water and environmental management, with a focus on rural-urban cooperation. Implications: Environmental management requires integrated rural-urban strategies to ensure sustainable resource use. Recommendations: Regional action plans should align with EU work programme priorities by incorporating water and environmental management policies that promote sustainable rural-urban development, including water conservation, pollution control, and ecosystem restoration.

URL: Work Programme 2019-2021

Original Reference: Maes, J. et al. (2015). ESS trends 2000-2012. Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services: Trends in ecosystems and ecosystem services in the European Union between 2000 and 2010. Report EU 27143 EN.

Brief Summary: Offers strategies to foster regional innovation through collaboration. PoliRuralPlus pilots should focus on fostering innovation hubs in rural-urban zones to stimulate economic growth.

URL: https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/bitstream/JRC94840/lfna27143enn.pdf

Original Reference: Naumann, S. & Davis, M. (2020). Biodiversity and Nature-based Solutions: analysis of EU-funded projects. EU Publications Office, Luxembourg.

Brief Summary: Reviews how the European Green Deal promotes sustainable development and climate neutrality. PoliRuralPlus should align its RAPs with Green Deal principles to ensure rural-urban sustainability and climate resilience across Europe.

URL: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/a4112bb6-cb7b

Original Reference: EC (2019e). Annex to COM(2019)640: The European Green Deal

Brief Summary: The Green Deal roadmap outlines key strategies for achieving climate neutrality in Europe. RAPs should integrate energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, and green infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions. PoliRuralPlus pilots should align with the Green Deal to support sustainable rural-urban development and ecological transition.

URL: https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/european-green-deal-communication-annex-roadmap_en.pdf

Original Reference: EFH (2019). The implementation of the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy and recommendations for the post 2020 Biodiversity Strategy. European Habitats Forum

Brief Summary: This document provides recommendations for the EU’s post-2020 biodiversity strategy. RAPs should prioritize biodiversity protection in both rural and urban areas, ensuring that development plans align with EU biodiversity goals. PoliRuralPlus pilots can integrate these strategies to foster biodiversity-rich landscapes and ecological resilience.

URL: https://www.europarc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/European-Habitats-Forum-EHF_recommendations-for-post-2020-Biodiversity-Strategy_Final.pdf

Original Reference: Graveline, N. et al. (2017). General framework for the economic assessment of Nature Based Solutions and their insurance value. NAIAD Project Deliverable 4.1.

Brief Summary: Repository of European research projects and documents. PoliRuralPlus should use this resource for research-based insights and best practices to inform the development of innovative and data-driven RAPs.

URL: https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/documents/downloadPublic?documentIds=080166e5b885d228&appId=PPGMS

Original Reference: Zolch, T. et al. (2017). Regulating urban surface runoff through nature-based solutions – An assessment at the micro-scale. Environmental Research, 157: 135–144.

Brief Summary: This paper reviews European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) strategies and their role in achieving polycentric urban development. PoliRuralPlus can draw from these strategies to foster polycentric rural-urban dynamics, promoting balanced regional growth through strategic cooperation across regions.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2017.05.023

Original Reference: Aspinall, P. et al. (2015). The urban brain: Analysing outdoor physical activity with mobile EEG. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49: 272-276

Brief Summary: Highlights the importance of sports in promoting social cohesion and well-being in both urban and rural settings. Recommends PoliRuralPlus pilots incorporate physical activity initiatives to strengthen community ties across regions.

URL: DOI

Original Reference: Bulkeley, H. (2020a). Nature-based Solutions for climate mitigation: analysis of EU-funded projects. EU Publications Office, Luxembourg

Brief Summary: This document evaluates the success of rural development policies in promoting sustainable growth in rural regions, with a particular focus on rural-urban linkages. Recommendations for PoliRuralPlus include enhancing monitoring and evaluation frameworks within regional action plans to ensure that rural policies effectively contribute to broader urban-rural development objectives. By adopting these evaluative measures, PoliRuralPlus can better track progress and ensure that regional action plans are aligned with EU-wide sustainability and development goals.

URL: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/9afec646-cbc7-11ea-adf7-01aa75ed71a1/language-en

Original Reference: EEA (2019). Exceedance of air quality standards in urban areas

Brief Summary: This EEA report discusses the exceedance of air quality limits across Europe, with a focus on urban areas. RAPs should integrate air quality improvement measures into both rural and urban planning to reduce pollution. PoliRuralPlus pilots can use these insights to promote healthier, cleaner environments across regional action plans.

URL: https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/exceedance-of-air-quality-limit-3/assessment-5