Achievements and outcomes of the project activities

Achievements and outcomes in this theme are best viewed in three broad categories: first water, secondly innovation and sustainability, and thirdly the use of public space.

Water
The achievements in this category relate to the nature and quality of water: its flows, purification and cycles, its catchment areas and its structural characteristic in spatial planning.

Sustainable solutions through spatial planning for water management are set to become increasingly important to prevent floods, the drying out of land, bad water quality and the deterioration of urban fringe zones. Planning for Urban-rural River Environments, North Sea Region (PURE North Sea) aimed at developing various spatial functions of water catchment areas situated in the urban-rural fringe. Particular areas of focus included public participation in policy making, water quality and flood risks. The project developed an effective assessment tool for investment projects within water catchment areas. In the context of increasing environmental concern in the North Sea Region, the achievements and outcomes of PURE North Sea succeeded in addressing environmental concerns while remaining within policy guidelines at both a national and European level for spatial planning and water management.  Additionally, the project outcomes have been discussed and implemented at both a local and regional level.

Water as a structural element can play a central role in Spatial Planning. Water City International (WCI-II) aimed at upgrading various functions of water in urban areas in order to help sustainable spatial development. The project displayed added value with respect to aesthetic improvement, more efficient use of available space and overall functional improvement. One of the most tangible results may be seen in the Frisian Water Alliance, which managed to disseminate the project to other parts of the world beyond the North Sea Region including Lake Victoria, the Black Sea and the Red Sea.

Improving the water source can also enhance the physical attractiveness of a place. Building on small-scale regeneration of urban heritage along rivers and canals (B-Sure) promoted co-operative international effort aimed at improving the quality of life in town harbour zones. The strategy adopted for this was the use of pinpoint initiatives: relatively low cost investment as effective low cost means for improving the townscape along rivers and canals. Schiemond in the Netherlands was transformed from a previously isolated and deprived town to an attractive place, accessible for recreation and using the river/harbour as both amenity and urban heritage. Another successful pinpoint investment was effected at King Edward Quay in Colchester, England.

Innovation and Sustainability
The achievements and outcomes in this category were grouped around sustainable housing development, effective training and education programmes for sustainable tourist destinations and collaboration as a tool to increase competition.

Sustainable growth in the North Sea region depends on innovation support. Of particular importance is the need for sustainable home construction practice Smart Lifestyle Innovations for our Environment (SmartLIFE-International) focussed on skills and capacity in the construction sector to deliver affordable sustainable housing. The project was the first of its kind to recognise the potential for new building projects that seek to contribute to sustainable growth. It also sponsored exchange programmes and the sharing of knowledge between the partner countries.

Sustainable Technologies for your Local Environment (LifeStyle) emphasised how sustainability can be incorporated into new residential development. Bilateral activities between Sweden and the UK have been supported at the highest political level; this includes co-operation to develop cleaner energy and develop more sustainable homes.

Effective education and training schemes enable areas to enhance tourism in order to encourage a viable and thriving industry that can increase the competitiveness and attractiveness of a place. Developing Sustainable Tourism in the North Sea Region (ToLearn) put in place a learning process and structure within and between various tourism destinations in the North Sea Region. It also offered specific and practical guidance as well as the result of research so that the foundations for improvements in regional and interregional tourism were laid. Following completion 22 examples of good practice have been documented and 4 new projects that have been described and evaluated for their innovative potential.

Working effectively through collaboration is amongst the most effective tools for increasing the strength of town networks in the North Sea Region as a whole. The Town-Net project emphasised the need for stronger and more competitive towns through measures, which were collaborative and complementary thereby helping with spatial development in the municipalities concerned. Town networks were encouraged by the project to create trade and other exchange links. A number of towns working together as a group were able to increase their status with regards to national policy.

The Use of Public Space
The sustainable renaissance of waterfront and other areas, the use of urban port settlements and the significance of urban heritage along rivers and canals all concern how public space is used. This in turn works to increase the competitive and development potential of the region’s cities and towns; a further factor and one which relates to the region’s mix of country and town, is the need to achieve a healthy balance between urban and rural areas.

A number of urban port settlements in the North Sea Region have suffered a decline in traditional industry. Where these settlements have failed to adapt to changed conditions they have as a result declined competitively and aesthetically. To combat the overall decline of port towns in the North Sea Region, Revitalisation of Small Harbour Towns and Cities (RevitHar) worked to manage change in small urban port settlements experiencing economic turndown. It did this by helping them develop a more balanced spatial structure emphasising the benefit of attractive waterfronts and harbour environments thereby facilitating links between spatial planning and sustainable development. The project has improved the negative image and helped to reinvigorate 6 towns in Germany, Holland and North East Scotland. A particular example of success is the reduction in unemployment in areas of Aberdeenshire partly as a result of project efforts. The resulting achievements in Aberdeenshire have also inspired community groups to take on a more active role in their own communities.

Another project that addresses economic regeneration of port towns is Stimulating Economic Regeneration and Attractiveness of Port Towns (Seaport). Here joint efforts were made to find innovative solutions to common economic and other challenges that have been confronting small to medium sized maritime areas and seaport towns. The project was able to help them redevelop their ports, make them more tourist-friendly and point the way to greater prosperity.  A toolkit for economic regeneration in seaport towns was developed. The Hague invested in a sustainable design for the Boulevard which combines sea defence with economic interests and which takes into account the requirements of Scheveningen. The project received recognition when Hartlepool won the Seaside Award in 2005 for high quality standards of beach management.

Waterfront Communities Project (WCP) aimed at improving waterfront development in nine gateway cities around the North Sea. The project devised an online database to share information on international good practice in waterfront regeneration and development. Engagement of local communities was achieved and places that benefited in various ways from the project included Edinburgh, Scotland, Aalborg, Denmark, Gateshead, England and Schiedam, Netherlands. A key achievement of the project has been the strong influence it has had on national policy.

Enhancing public space in order to increase the attractiveness of places in the North Sea Region was the aim of The Liveable City particularly of historic urban centres. This was achieved by the development of a unique integrated approach to planning, maintenance and management. Major transformations occurred with a number of areas going from being derelict and unworkable, to manageable and functional. Examples may be seen in Trondheim Norway, Lincoln and Norwich England, and Gent Belgium. The creative use of public space in this project has contributed to the creation of unique identities in the communities involved. In addition the project also laid the foundation for a ‘tool-kit’ model for measuring benefits of regenerating public space which can be used and applied to any city or town.

URBAL Development (URBAL) sought to develop balance in regional spatial planning between rural and urban areas. The project demonstrated new practice in regional and local planning, encouraged cross-sectoral cooperation, and carried out research in stakeholder management. It adopted the motto ‘Lets bring urban and rural together’ and devised strategies to build bridges between urban and rural interests. Examples of success include, firstly, North Yorkshire County Council, which has taken over the signage of cycle routes and envisages producing a map highlighting the amenities in the rural and adjacent urban areas. Secondly, in the Netherlands a scheme was put in place for youth care on farms rather than in cities, which had the effect of reducing waiting lists.

Vitalising City Centres through Integrated Spatial Planning (VISP) aimed at developing a new trans-national planning strategy incorporating new methods to create attractive and competitive physical, social, economic and environmental areas in the periphery of large sized cities in the North Sea Region. The project achieved its results through life long learning, networking, complementarities and increased citizen involvement. The project has increased awareness and understanding and provided a wider range of spatial planning perspectives. During its life VISP has been recognised in national competitions. Drammen Central Square was awarded the prize for the best integrated spatial planning in Norway, and Tu-Tech and Enschede were finalists in similar competitions in Germany and the Netherlands.

Lasting legacy for the North Sea Region through the projects' achievements

Projects in this theme have implemented a variety of initiatives that will increase both the competitiveness and the quality of life in the North Sea Region. Water restoration measures have better secured future supplies, while water itself has been promoted as an important structural element for spatial planning. The desirability and benefit of sustainable home construction, better training for the tourism industry and the importance of collaboration measures have all been promoted. Port/Waterfront settlements have been revitalised, public space better utilised, rural-urban priorities are now less fragmented and the effectiveness of spatial planning has been increased.

The attention that projects in this theme have attracted goes far beyond the North Sea Region and demonstrates their quality. As an example, SmartLIFE-International was awarded a RegioStar by the European Commission in respect of the project’s innovation. This is a considerable accolade as it puts SmartLIFE-International in the top 20 regional development projects throughout the whole of Europe.

Long lasting achievements were reinforced through Vitalising City Centres through Integrated Spatial Planning (VISP) where the project established two transnational networks with the NSR libraries network, and the European Design Cities network. VISP knowledge continues to be incorporated into teaching at Sheffield University in England.

Long-term effects have been achieved especially in relation to policy shaping and implementation. For instance Planning for Urban-rural River Environments, North Sea (PURE) implemented European and national policy guidelines for spatial planning and water management on the local and regional scale.

Projects did however also do more than contribute to future policy. Sustainable technologies for Technological Solutions and Sustainable Lifestyle Choices (LifeStyle) influenced and encouraged additional funding for more sustainable housing and clean energy activities in Sweden and the UK. The Swedish Minister of Environment and the UK Minister for Housing and Planning have discussed continuing co-operation to deliver sustainable homes and clean technologies. It has been indicated that UK government departments will consider funding activities in this initiatives for additional three years. The continuing funding activities are already on going in Sweden.