Atlantic Area: Priorities and Measures

Site updated 06-05-06

Atlantic Area: Priorities and Measures

A: Polycentric Structuring of the Area and the Development of Centres of Excellence
Using networks to define and to establish a competitive profile based on a polycentric model, supported under the following key themes:

A-1 Spatial structuring of the Atlantic Area:

urban links, networks of towns and cities and urban/rural interdependencies;
promoting multi-player co-operation, public-private partnership and the participation of socio-professional networks;
observation and research action network on Atlantic spatial development.

A-2 Promotion and development of centres of excellence:

technological innovation and its impact on competitiveness;
research and technology transfer networks.

B: Developing Efficient and Sustainable Transport Systems and Improving Access to the Information Society
The Programme will encourage the development of sustainable modes of transport and improvement in communications through:

B-1 Developing efficient and sustainable transport systems:

improving local and regional access to national and transnational networks and hubs, promoting interregional accessibility and multi-modal development;
developing certain modes of transport, especially promoting maritime and port activity, developing rail transport and improving air links.
improving maritime security along the Atlantic coast.

B-2 Improving access to the information society:

making the Atlantic regions part of the information society;
promoting the use of new communication techniques by economic players.

C: Promoting the Environment, Sustainable Management of Economic Activities and Natural Resources
The protection of the environment and its resources is crucial to the future competitiveness and quality of life of the Atlantic Area and will be encouraged through:

C-1 Protecting the environment and natural resources:

contributing to the development of European networks to safeguard the biodiversity of the Atlantic Area;
sustainable management of water resources - drought and flood prevention, water quality monitoring;
preventing pollution.

C-2 Integrated management of coastal zones and estuaries, protection of wetlands:

optimising the natural heritage of coastal areas and wetlands in the Atlantic Area.

C-3 Sustainable management of economic activities:

promoting and encouraging exchanges of environment-friendly farming, forestry, fishing and aquaculture methods;
promoting renewable energies;
contributing to the development of environmental technologies.

D: Strengthening and Promoting the Atlantic Identity in a Context of Globalisation
This Priority seeks to support measures to develop the identity and promote the Atlantic Area internally and externally.

D-1 Promoting Atlantic cultures and heritage and encouraging cultural creativity. The contribution of culture to economic development:

encouraging the development of integrated strategies for the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage.

D-2 Designing and promoting Atlantic tourism products:

strengthening the identity and attractiveness of the Atlantic Area, emphasising its role as a tourist destination of quality.

D-3 Marketing the Atlantic Area:

marketing the Atlantic Area in terms of economics through joint actions;
creating the necessary mechanisms to prepare economic sectors for European Union enlargement;
creating and disseminating internal and external generic communication tools.