Rural-Urban Linkages fostering Social Cohesion
Dr Paul Courtney and Ian Smith, Director of the Cities Research Centre at UWE (http://www.built-environment.uwe.ac.uk/research/cities/)won a grant from DG Regio to carry out a preparatory study for a seminar on urban-rural linkages fostering social cohesion.
The study was commissioned by DG Regio in January 2009. The seminar, which is the third in a recent series examining the potential for rural-urban cooperation in Europe, was held in Brussels on July 2nd 2009.
Following introductory speeches from DG Regio and key note addresses, Paul and Ian presented their position paper, which focuses on conceptual and theoretical issues and findings from seven mini case studies from around Europe where they have sought to draw out examples and good practice of urban-rural interactions. The researchers then invited comment and discussion from seminar participants and representatives of the case studies. The event concluded with reactions from two key note listeners: Professor Mark Shucksmith (OBE) of the University of Newcastle and Dr Elena Saraceno, advisor on agricultural and rural policy for the European Commission. Further details can be found at: http://www.cureforsustainability.eu/index.php?id=7205
