Joint organisers: ESPON and the Czech Ministry of Regional Development

Centred on the topic of Functional Urban Areas (FUAs), this Policy Lab explored interpretations of “functionality” in metropolitan and cross-border areas, as well as applicable methodologies for defining functionality’s parameters and perimeters.

Reflecting the diversity of challenges and potential solutions FUAs present, experts illustrated case studies from various EU countries, covering both metropolitan governance and cross-border cooperation projects. In light of recharacterising the New Leipzig Charter, set to be coordinated by the 2020 German Council Presidency, the discussion highlighted the need for cooperation with both the EUKN and ESPON in order to share experiences, and co-define both challenges and conditions for cooperation.

More articles

design in urban policy, embracing complexity through design
Urban Voices

Geert Brinkman on… embracing complexity through design...

Geert Brinkman on… embra...

Geert Brinkman on… embracing complexity through design

Geert Brinkman elaborates on the value of design as a tool to enhance the problem-solving capacity of public organizations, face complexity and respond to the wicked problems of our time.

Urban Voices

Layla McCay on… urban design and mental health...

Layla McCay on… urban de...

Layla McCay on… urban design and mental health

We interviewed Layla McCay on urban design and mental health at the start of the pandemic. In an era when cities are coming under fire, the centre’s vision of ‘restorative urbanism’ is rather timely.

Publications

Strengthening the UAEU’s Better Regulation pillar...

Strengthening the UAEU’s Be...

Strengthening the UAEU’s Better Regulation pillar

This discussion paper, written by the EUKN, examines how the Urban Agenda for the EU's Better Regulation pillar can be strengthened.