Back-to-back to the P2P Conference, the GPC together with the 10 JPIs organised the 3rd workshop on the Future of Joint Programming on Nov 7th. Focus was given to how to improve the coherence of the partnership landscape and strengthening the delivery of partnerships in tackling specific societal challenges. The workshop built upon the Technopolis report on Increased coherence and openness of European Union research and innovation partnerships commissioned by the Estonian presidency as well as the ongoing debate on mission oriented programmes for FP9.

Six societal challenges were addressed in more detail, sustainable cities as one of them. JPI Urban Europe, JPI Cultural Heritage, the EIP Smart Cities and Communities, the InnoEnergy KIC as well as the SET Plan Action on Smart Cities exchanged on their respective longer-term missions as well as on their established and possible future cooperation (see mapping). Together with the participants a debate was started on requirements and priorities of a possible future mission on sustainable cities.

Mapping of partnerships and initiatives engaged in the field of sustainable cities

The discussion on requirements for and priorities of a possible future mission on sustainable cities resulted in the following conclusions:

• • • • Agreement was achieved that a possible future mission Sustainable Cities would help to implement the European and international policy frameworks of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Energy Union, the Urban Agenda, etc.
      • Emphasis was given on the importance of European pathways for sustainable cities anticipating the unique urban pattern in Europe, the smaller size of European cities compared to Asian or US cities, the quality of life ambitions including the high priority to refurbishment, etc. as well as of the uniqueness of European Cultural Heritage.
      • A systems approach was called for that considers the complexity of sustainable urbanisation and builds interrelationships between the currently existing silos which address different aspects in the urban system. This also relates to the importance of including policy issues, besides technological or sectoral aspects, in the debate on sustainable urbanisation to ensure long-term strategies and pathways.
      • The need to foster innovation, implementation of new approaches was highlighted, including bottom-up driven concepts and activities to ensure mainstreaming and broad stakeholder (citizen) involvement.

     

  • The participating partnerships and initiatives demonstrated the ability to cover the whole innovation cycle through their specific measures. Further exchange to connect these activities and set-up joint actions beyond ongoing cooperation are envisaged.
  • We will keep you informed on new developments.