New recreational routes, improved green spaces, increased urban and rural connectivity and areas for economic growth are some of the opportunities for the urban edge highlighted in the final report of the Sustainable Urban Fringes (SURF) project.

The "Connecting Urban & Rural" report outlines the findings of the SURF project and research, informed by practical urban fringe projects, that demonstrate how these areas can make a real contribution to sustainable development in city regions.

The SURF findings highlight the need for specific policy to address urban fringe development and management; acknowledging the positive economic, social and environmental potential of these areas where urban meets rural.

Included in the report is:

• a series of local, regional and European policy recommendations that seek to make positive changes to the urban fringe, recognising how they can add value to the quality of life in urban and rural areas.
• governance approaches to the urban fringe
• city region perspectives and examples of effective urban fringe projects

13 project partners from 5 countries worked together over the course of the project, exchanging knowledge on the effective management and development of the urban fringe and the processes and practices used.

The “Connecting Urban and Rural” report will be distributed throughout Europe and is also available from the project website www.sustainablefringes.eu

The Sustainable Urban Fringes (SURF) Project is part of the Interreg IVB North Sea Region Programme and is partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund.