H2020 ROBUST Project: Rural-Urban Perspectives: Unlocking Synergies

ROBUST began by developing a conceptual framework and methodological approach by reviewing the literature on rural-urban interactions and developing key concepts, such as smart development and networked governance. The conceptual framework has been developed into an accessible, jargon-free, and easy-to-read guide for practitioners and policymakers. A second step of the project included a rapid assessment of: a) existing studies and datasets on rural-urban relationships, and b) governance mechanisms and planning instruments. Based on these rapid assessments, a synthesis report has been produced, compiling key insights on the interactions and dependencies between rural, peri-urban, and urban areas. This report also contains summaries on: a) the key features, strengths, and weaknesses of contemporary approaches to governance, planning, and management, and b) indicators and criteria related to the interactions and dependencies between rural, peri-urban, and urban areas. The third phase of the project focused on the exploration and analysis of rural-urban relationships and synergies in five thematic Communities of Practice (CoPs) and 11 Living Labs (LLs). This work is guided by a methodological framework that provides: a case study approach and a clear set of research phases that operationalize the LL approach for examining rural-urban relationships in specific localities; the CoP approach for examining rural-urban relationships in specific thematic domains; a toolkit of co-production methods and approaches that LLs and CoPs can use to develop their innovation plans and subsequent work; and a description of an evaluation and monitoring approach. Within the empirical work, particular attention is paid to two aspects: 1) Cross-sectoral interactions and their role in enhancing rural-urban synergies; 2) An effective governance arrangement to foster rural-urban synergies. The link between ROBUST and EU-level policies is managed through the ROBUST Policy Hub (https://www.purple-eu.org/home/robust/policy-hub/), which is essentially a continuous and iterative exercise throughout the project life, of collecting and collating relevant policy documents. Furthermore, thematic policy and governance papers based on the five Communities of Practice have been produced, as well as a policy manifesto, which summarizes the main findings of ROBUST and their relevance for EU policies, in particular the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas (LTRVA) and the 2030 Territorial Agenda. A variety of dissemination and communication activities have supported the ROBUST project, including a dissemination strategy, a Live Cases website, social media channels, an e-newsletter, a project branding concept, and a rural-urban learning hub, most of which can be found on the ROBUST website (www.rural-urban.eu). One of the main conclusions of ROBUST is that through the innovations achieved in the 11 Living Labs and the research outputs of the associated CoPs, there is a need to rethink how economic development achieves well-being, particularly with a view to strengthening rural-urban linkages. The analysis establishes five key dimensions of this well-being approach to socioeconomic and spatial development: Services, which focus on the availability, access, and quality of (social) services. Proximity, which focuses on reducing the social and/or spatial distance between providers/producers of services/goods and the customers/consumers of these services/goods. Circularity, which focuses on closing loops/cycles and enhancing the circular economy. Ecosystems, which focuses on services such as biodiversity preservation, water management, landscape maintenance, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Culture, which focuses on the role of culture and heritage in strengthening rural-urban relations. The different dimensions are important, but services are the essential foundation, given the intention to place well-being and social protection at the heart of socioeconomic and socio-spatial development. Therefore, rural-urban links are important, as they can guarantee access to basic services in rural areas (and in habitable places) in exchange for contributing to the consolidation of urban areas through other dimensions (ecosystems, circularity, etc.).