Site updated 06-05-06
North West Europe: Priorities and Measures
1: An Attractive and Coherent System of Cities, Towns and Regions
To achieve more balanced spatial development; increased co-operation and joint action on sustainable urban development; and improved understanding of territorial structures and development trends and the spatial consequences of the regions future role in the European and global economies through:
1.1 More attractive metropolitan areas in the global and European context:
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transnational networks of places sharing similar characteristics preparing joint development strategies and other co-ordinated actions;
- developing the position and role of metropolitan centres in the European and global context.
1.2 Coherent and polycentric pattern of complementary cities, towns, rural areas, coastal and peripheral regions:
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networks to coordinate policy and develop complementary approaches to spatial development;
- stimulating development and renewal in declining industrial areas; managing development pressures; promoting tourism services; and stimulating indigenous growth in rural economies;
- joint information and marketing initiatives.
2: External and Internal Accessibility
To ensure sustainable connectivity between NWE and the rest of the world; contribute to territorial cohesion through sustainable transport; improve access to knowledge and information; and improve the basis on which future decisions can be taken through:
2.1 Sustainable mobility management:
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integration of transport policy with other land use planning activities and policy sectors;
- policy measures to achieve modal shift and alternative methods of access;
- links from core to peripheral areas and use of sea routes.
2.2 Improved access to the Information Society:
- promoting research networks and e-commerce and ensure ISDN links;
- ensuring that new technologies bring balanced development of networks and address cohesion.
3: Sustainable Management of Water Resources and Prevention of Flood Damage
The management of transnational water systems in an integrated and sustainable way, to minimise damage from river and coastal flooding and improve understanding and awareness of fresh and maritime water systems through:
3.1 Land use and water systems:
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transnational co-operation to co-ordinate the management of marine and fresh water;
- developing models for water development and management, integrating land use with water management.
3.2 The prevention of flood damage:
- transnational co-operation and management of river basins and maritime areas;
- potential effects of global climate change and the evaluation of strategies to mitigate the impacts.
4: Other Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage
To protect and improve the natural environment of the region, preserve and develop the natural assets of the NWE and protect and improve the built environment and cultural heritage. To develop effective, integrated, long term strategies for sustainable development and achieve a fuller picture of natural resources and cultural heritage and the way in which they can be integrated into transnational strategies successfully through:
4.1 Stronger ecological infrastructure, reduced ecological footprint:
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developing environmentally efficient infrastructure e.g. through opportunities for provision of shared facilities;
- co-ordinated actions to speed the completion of the Natura 2000 network;
- encouraging organisations to adopt more environmentally friendly behaviour;
- developing integrated area development strategies for coastal areas, protected areas, environmentally sensitive areas and areas of high biodiversity of transnational relevance.
4.2 Protection and creative enhancement of the cultural heritage:
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strategies to conserve, restore, manage and interpret assets of transnational relevance;
- co-ordinate mechanisms such as agency networks, to develop standards and good practice.
5: Enhancing the Maritime Functions of NWE and Promoting Territorial Integration Across the Seas of NWE
To overcome barriers to co-operation across maritime borders and strengthen the relationship of ports to their hinterlands. The priority seeks to improve the management of natural resources of seas and coastal areas and improve the knowledge base and co-operation through:
5.1 Promote transnational co-operation in the enhancement of maritime functions and the development of more sustainable links between seaports and their hinterlands:
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developing strategies for coastal and port towns that link to their hinterlands;
- encouraging co-operation between sea ports on the same maritime rim;
- encouraging shipping in inland waterways linking to coastal and short sea shipping;
- strengthening the role of ports and co-operation between ports and other transport providers;
- identifying complementarity and addressing the impact of port activities on the environment.
5.2 Facilitating co-operation across and between maritime and inland regions:
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developing common business approaches e.g. tourism ventures or integrated labour markets;
- transnational co-operation on environmental problems including Integrated Coastal Zone Management;
- harmonising administrative and information systems.
