References

Original Reference: Chan, F.K.S. et al. (2018). “Sponge City” in China: A breakthrough of planning and flood risk management in the urban context. Land Use Policy, 76: 772-778

Brief Summary: The article explores rural tourism as a tool for economic diversification and rural-urban connection. Implications: Tourism can be a driver for strengthening rural economies and reducing outmigration. Recommendations: Include rural tourism promotion in regional action plans, with support for infrastructure development, cultural heritage, and nature-based tourism to create stronger economic ties between rural and urban areas.

URL: Land Use Policy and Rural Tourism

Original Reference: Narayan, S. et al. (2016). The effectiveness, costs and coastal protection benefits of natural and nature-based defences. PLoS One, 11(5): e0154735.

Brief Summary: Reviews case studies on rural-urban collaboration in environmental policy. PoliRuralPlus should integrate similar collaborative approaches to address cross-regional environmental challenges​(

URL: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0154735

Original Reference: Faivre, N. et al. (2017). Nature-Based Solutions in the EU: Innovating with nature to address social, economic and environmental challenges. Environmental Research, 159: 509–518

Brief Summary: Discusses how nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches (Eco-DRR) can enhance disaster resilience in rural and urban areas. Implications: Eco-DRR can help integrate rural and urban disaster resilience efforts. Recommendations: RAPs should adopt ecosystem-based approaches for long-term resilience and disaster preparedness. Discusses disaster risk reduction strategies in rural and urban areas. Implications: Rural areas are often less prepared for disasters, affecting overall resilience. Recommendations: RAPs should prioritize disaster preparedness and resilience-building strategies, ensuring rural areas are better equipped for crises.

URL: Environmental Research

Original Reference: Gill, S.E. et al. (2007). Adapting cities for climate change: the role of the green infrastructure. Built Environment, 33: 115-133.

Brief Summary: Explores how spatial planning can optimize rural-urban interactions. Recommends using spatial planning tools in RAPs to improve territorial cohesion and ensure balanced development across rural-urban regions.

URL: https://doi.org/10.2148/benv.33.1.115

Original Reference: Barton, D.N. (2015). Monetary valuation of urban ecosystem services-operationalization or tragedy of well-intentioned valuation? An illustrated example. Ecosystem Services: concepts, methodologies and instruments for research and applied use, 65

Brief Summary: Examines the importance of rural-urban linkages for sustainable development. Recommendation: Emphasize the co-development of infrastructure and services that cater to both rural and urban areas in PoliRuralPlus pilots, creating synergies between regions to support shared economic and environmental goals.

URL: Springer - Rural-Urban Linkages

Original Reference: Glenk, K. et al. (2018). The economics of peatland restoration. Journal of Environmental Economics and Policy, 7(4): 345-362.

Brief Summary: Examines the role of governance in rural-urban relations. Recommendations for PoliRuralPlus include developing policies that promote balanced governance and resource sharing between rural and urban areas.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/21606544.2018.1434562

Original Reference: SEEDS (2015). SEEDS Final Report: Stimulating Enterprising Environments for Development and Sustainability. Sheffield, South Yorkshire Forest Partnership.

Brief Summary: Focuses on sustainable energy solutions for European rural areas. Implications: Renewable energy can boost rural economies. Recommendations: Promote renewable energy projects in RAPs to enhance rural energy security and economic resilience【34†source】【36†source】.

URL: https://www.seeds-project.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/SEEDS-Final-Report.pdf

Original Reference: UNISDR (2015). Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. In: UN world conference on disaster risk reduction, 2015 March 14–18, Sendai, Japan. Geneva: United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Brief Summary: The framework outlines strategies for reducing disaster risks through improved rural-urban planning, infrastructure resilience, and community engagement. It encourages integrating risk reduction into PoliRuralPlus RAPs to ensure the long-term resilience of pilot regions.

URL: http://www.unisdr.org/files/43291_sendaiframeworkfordrren.pdf

Original Reference: SEPA (2004). National Water Classification 2004.

Brief Summary: A report on water quality standards in Scotland. Implications: Water management is critical for both urban and rural areas. Recommendations: RAPs should incorporate water management practices to ensure sustainable water use across regions【30†source】【31†source】.

URL: https://www.sepa.org.uk/media/38540/water-quality-classification-2004.pdf

Original Reference: Klijn, F. et al. (2013). Design quality of room-for-the-river measures in the Netherlands: role and assessment of the quality team (Q-team). International Journal of River Basin Management, 11: 287–299.

Brief Summary: This article evaluates how smart city technologies can be applied to manage water resources. PoliRuralPlus can integrate smart technologies for water conservation and monitoring in both rural and urban areas to ensure sustainable water usage.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/15715124.2013.811418

Original Reference: Kabisch, N. et al. (Eds.) (2017). Nature-based Solutions to Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Areas. Springer.

Brief Summary: Discusses strategies for developing smart, sustainable cities and rural areas, focusing on technological and ecological integration. Implications: Smart technologies can bridge the urban-rural divide. Recommendations: RAPs should incorporate smart city technologies, such as broadband and energy management systems, into rural areas to promote connectivity and sustainable development across both urban and rural spaces.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56091-5

Original Reference: Qiao, X.J., Kristoffersson, A. & Randrup, T.B. (2018). Challenges to implementing urban sustainable stormwater management from a governance perspective: A literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 196: 943–952.

Brief Summary: Discusses the importance of social and environmental innovation. Recommendations: RAPs should promote social innovation projects that address rural-urban sustainability challenges, such as renewable energy and community-led development initiatives.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.06.049

Original Reference: Carinanos, P. et al. (2015). Characterization of allergen emission sources in urban areas. Journal of Environmental Quality, 45: 244-252

Brief Summary: This research discusses soil conservation strategies and their importance in sustainable agriculture. Implications: Soil health is crucial for the long-term sustainability of rural economies. Recommendations: Include soil conservation practices in the regional action plans, promoting regenerative agriculture and reducing environmental degradation in rural areas. Support farmers with best practices and access to funding for sustainable soil management.

URL: Soil Management and Conservation

Original Reference: Dixon, S.J. et al. (2016) The effects of river restoration on catchment scale flood risk and flood hydrology. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 41: 997 - 1008

Brief Summary: This research examines the effects of soil degradation in rural and urban settings. RAPs should integrate sustainable land use policies, focusing on soil conservation to prevent degradation in both rural and urban regions. PoliRuralPlus pilots should prioritize sustainable agriculture and land management in regional action plans.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3887

Original Reference: Green, S.M. et al. (2018). Methane and carbon dioxide fluxes from open and blocked ditches in a blanket bog. Plant Soil, 424: 619–638.

Brief Summary: Examines soil health's role in agricultural sustainability. PoliRuralPlus RAPs should incorporate soil health management practices to improve rural sustainability and ensure productive rural-urban food systems.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3430-7

Original Reference: Calfapietra, C. et al. (2016). Uptake of O3 by urban and peri-urban forests: evidences from laboratory, field and modelling approaches. Journal of Environmental Quality, 45: 224-233

Brief Summary: This article focuses on the assessment of soil quality in agricultural regions, emphasizing the need for sustainable land use practices. Implications: Soil health is a key factor for rural economic sustainability, especially in agriculture-dependent regions. Recommendations: PoliRuralPlus pilots should integrate sustainable soil management practices into regional plans, encouraging soil conservation and regenerative agriculture.

URL: Soil Quality Assessment

Original Reference: Santamouris, M. (2014). Cooling the cities - a review of reflective and green roof mitigation technologies to fight heat island and improve comfort in urban environments. Solar Energy, 103, 682-703.

Brief Summary: This paper explores solar energy technology and policies for energy transition. Implications: Solar energy solutions can be integrated into rural-urban energy systems to enhance sustainability. Recommendations: Promote renewable energy projects in rural areas as part of RAPs, ensuring energy security and sustainability​.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2012.07.003

Original Reference: Pauleit, S. et al. (2017). Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Change - Four Shades of Green. In: N. Kabisch et al. (eds.), Nature-based Solutions to Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Areas, Theory and Practice of Urban Sustainability Transitions.

Brief Summary: This chapter discusses the importance of stakeholder engagement in sustainability projects. Implications: Stakeholder involvement is critical for rural-urban regional plans. Recommendations: Include multi-stakeholder engagement strategies in RAPs to ensure broad input, including from local communities and businesses, fostering a cooperative approach to development.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56091-5_3

Original Reference: de Jong M. et al. (2018). Standardization in urban climate adaptation, EU H2020 RESIN, Deliverable 5.1/2.2

Brief Summary: This report discusses standardization in urban climate adaptation strategies. It recommends that RAPs integrate climate adaptation measures, standardizing best practices across urban and rural areas. The document supports PoliRuralPlus pilots in adopting standardized frameworks for resilience and environmental sustainability.

URL: https://resin-cities.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/Papers/RESIN-D5.1_Standardization_in_urban_climate_adaptation_NEN_30102018.pdf

Original Reference: EEA (forthcoming). State of Nature in the EU report. Copenhagen, European Environment Agency

Brief Summary: This report provides an assessment of biodiversity and nature conservation in the EU. RAPs should focus on protecting natural habitats and species in both rural and urban areas. PoliRuralPlus pilots can adopt these strategies to preserve biodiversity while supporting sustainable regional development and rural-urban linkages.

URL: https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/state-of-nature-in-the-eu-2020