ESPON evidence in planning practice and policy development
Authors: Sandra Momčilović and Ivana Katuric
It is commonly understood that the development of urban areas will have a major impact on the future sustainable development (economic, environmental and social) of the European Union and on its citizens. Moreover, it is recognised that the success of sustainable urban development is highly important for the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the European Union.
Urban areas in Europe are facing a number of developmental challenges, one of the most significant being ensuring sustainable land use. To address this challenge, within the urban agenda for the EU, the Partnership on Sustainable Use of Land and Nature-based Solutions (SUL-NBS Partnership) was established. The main objective of the SUL-NBS Partnership is to ensure that changes in urban areas (growth, shrinkage and regeneration) are respectful of the environment and improve quality of life. The partnership also aims to respond to the growing need for better urban management, in the context of scarce land resources and the potential benefits of using nature to address the challenges faced by cities.