spring 1998 -...

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Spring 1998 Urban Pilot Projects Newsletter

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In this issue

This is the third edition of the URBAN PILOT PROJECTS NEWSLETTER. The UPP NEWSLETTER is published on behalf of the Directorate General XVI of the

European Commission by ECOTEC Research and Consulting Limited (13B avenue de Tervuren, B-1040 Brussels, tel: + 32 2 743 89 49, fax: + 32 2 732 71 11),

which has been appointed by the European Commission to provide technical assistance for the implementation of Urban Pilot Projects funded under Article 10 of

the European Regional Development Fund. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the European Commission.

Spring 1998

1-2UPP Website

Launched!

3-6The Belfast HarbourUrban Pilot Project -

A partnership forsustainability

7-10The Lisbon Urban

Pilot Project -Breaking the spiral of

decline in depriveddistricts

11-13The Theme of Culture

in Urban Regeneration

14-16Energy Management

in Urban Planning:Initiatives and

Networks ofEuropean Cities

16Seminar on Urban

Pilot Projects

UPP Website Launched!A Website on the Urban Pilot Projects is now available. Hosted by DGXVI’s

(Regional Policy and Cohesion) INFOREGIO Site, the Urban Pilot Projects’

home page is directly accessible at:

http://wwwhttp://wwwhttp://wwwhttp://wwwhttp://www.inforegio.org/urban/upp/.inforegio.org/urban/upp/.inforegio.org/urban/upp/.inforegio.org/urban/upp/.inforegio.org/urban/upp/

The Website gives users quick and easy

access to a wide range of information

about the Urban Pilot Programme.

Descriptions and contact details of indi-

vidual projects are included and will be

regularly updated - both for the 33

projects of the first programming period

(Phase I) and for the Phase II UPPs

launched in July 1997.

The site has been designed for easy-to-

use navigation. An introductory page

provides users with a brief description

of the Urban Pilot Programme’s aims and

objectives as well as actual and anticipated achievements.

What’s New?What’s New?What’s New?What’s New?What’s New?

This section is a must for regular users of the Website as it provides a com-

plete guide to new pages on the site as well as updated links to other new

sites of interest. These include direct links to both Phase I and II Urban Pilot

Project home pages where such sites exist, or to sites of relevant and related

organisations. The “What’s New?” page also gives details of recent and forth-

coming publications and events on urban issues organised by the European

Commission, the UPPs themselves and other European funded programmes.

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Urban Pilot Projects Newsletter Spring 19982

Phase I UPPsPhase I UPPsPhase I UPPsPhase I UPPsPhase I UPPs

This page provides a guide to the 33 Phase IUPPs which includes:

● an introduction to Phase I of the programme,

including the background, aims and objectives

and budget details

● a map indicating the location of each project

● a table providing each project’s financial details

The map and table both link to the descriptionsand contact details of each project.

Phase II UPPsPhase II UPPsPhase II UPPsPhase II UPPsPhase II UPPs

The same type of information as for Phase I is in-cluded for each Phase II project. The short sum-maries that are currently available will be replacedby two-page descriptions in a forthcoming up-dateof the site.

BulletinsBulletinsBulletinsBulletinsBulletins

The user can access detailed information about indi-vidual Urban Pilot Projects in this section, in the formof “Bulletins”. Each Bulletin describes the results of acompleted Urban Pilot Project which was funded dur-ing the period 1989-1993. Bulletins on the followingprojects are now available on the Website:

● Antwerp (The BOM pilot project)

● Paisley (The Tannahill Centre in Ferguslie Park)

● Copenhagen (Øksnehallen)

● Groningen (The SEND Project)

● Montpellier (Agropolis International and

Agropolis Museum)

● Stoke-on-Trent (The Ceramics Quarter)

Bulletins on the Phase I projects in Athens,Thessaloniki, Dresden and Toulouse are currentlybeing prepared.

PPPPPublicationsublicationsublicationsublicationsublicationsThis page lists all the publications available onUrban Pilot Projects which have been preparedby, or on behalf of, the European Commission.It includes short summaries of each publicationas well as details of how to obtain copies. Someof the documents will be made available todownload as PDF files. At this stage, the follow-ing publications are available:

● the Executive Summary of the Urban Pilot Projects

Annual Report 1996, in English and French. Al-

though produced in 1996, the report cannot be

considered as “outdated”, as it is the only publi-

cation representing the achievements and lessons

learnt from the Phase I projects. In view of the

high demand, the full report has recently been

reprinted and is now available from DGXVI, the

Technical Assistance and all European Commu-

nity publication outlets at a price of ECU 8.50.

● the UPP Newsletters for Autumn 1997 and

Winter 1997, available in English and French.

These give news of on-going and recently

completed projects, as well as reports and

news of events related to the programme.

Reports of EventsReports of EventsReports of EventsReports of EventsReports of Events

This section lists the events relating to Urban PilotProjects which are organised by, or on behalf of,the European Commission and by the projects them-selves. It includes short reports of the events andprovides related documentation where appropriate.

UPP Website Launched! (continued)

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Spring 1998 Urban Pilot Projects Newsletter3

The Belfast Harbour Urban Pilot Project -A partnership for sustainability

The proposed interventions in the Belfast Lagoon

Belfast’s Urban Pilot Project centred on the city’s harbour area. It had a total budget of 6.7 MECU andwas completed between 1992 and 1996. Its aim was to demonstrate an innovative approach to thesustainable development of the port, reconciling its commercial and industrial activities with the pres-ervation of a fragile estuarine eco-system. The project pioneered a number of techniques in environ-mental restoration. It also developed a model partnership for implementing the project’s objectives.

The Belfast HarbourThe Belfast HarbourThe Belfast HarbourThe Belfast HarbourThe Belfast Harbour

Belfast developed at the head of Belfast Loughwere the River Lagan, which flows through thecity, enters the lough, some dozen miles fromIrish Sea. The expansion of the harbour and portthroughout the 19th century reflected the grow-ing prosperity of the city and its hinterland in theindustrial revolution.

Silts deposited by the River Lagan formed exten-sive intertidal mudflats which support a complexbut fragile ecosystem. The habitats in the estuaryare of recognised international importance for theirpopulations of wintering waterfowl. Some areasof mudflats were reclaimed for the commercial andindustrial development of the port, although sub-stantial acreages still remain supporting wildlifeand are now protected under United Kingdom andEuropean Union Legislation and Directives.

In the 20th century the decline of traditional in-dustries, affecting both the city and the port, haveposed a challenge in developing economic andplanning strategies. In 1990 the Belfast HarbourLocal Plan was published by the Department ofthe Environment for Northern Ireland and set outproposals for land use in the port area into thenew Millennium. Inter alia the Plan recognised,as part of wider economic and planning strate-gies, that if Belfast was to compete with othercities in attracting visitors and new investment, amore balanced approach to land use in the portarea should be adopted, recognising the co-ex-istence of industry and commerce with wildlifeand recreational facilities which would enhancethe area and its visual impact.

Inception, Aims and objectivesInception, Aims and objectivesInception, Aims and objectivesInception, Aims and objectivesInception, Aims and objectives

As Planning Authority for the area, The Departmentof The Environment for Northern Ireland wished to

adopt a pro-active approach to fulfilling the goalsof the newly-adopted Local Plan. It was recognisedthat many of the measures which would be requiredto achieve this conformed to the criteria for UrbanPilot Project funding under Article 10 of ERDF.Against this background, it was decided to prepareand submit a proposal for UPP funding. This wassuccessful and formal approval was received fromDGXVI in December 1991.

The overall aim of the UPP was to facilitate thesustainable development of the harbour area bybringing economic and environmental goals to-gether, reconciling competing interests, and cre-ating an environment where these interests couldco-exist in harmony.

The programme of measures which constitutedthe project was designed to address a series ofobjectives in support of this central aim. Theseincluded: improvement of the physical environ-ment as a means of improving new business andemployment opportunities; conservation andenhancement of natural habitats; maximisationof existing land resources for new development,building restoration, and the development of“clean” technologies; and realisation of the edu-cational and interpretative opportunities pre-sented by the implementation of these measures.

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Aerial view of the north foreshore

The Belfast Harbour Urban Pilot Project -A partnership for sustainability (continued)

Package 1 - The Whole HarbourPackage 1 - The Whole HarbourPackage 1 - The Whole HarbourPackage 1 - The Whole HarbourPackage 1 - The Whole Harbour

This consisted of 9 sub-projects. The first twoaddressed issues facing the entire harbour area:firstly, the need to identify and assess the con-sequences of proposed port developments onthe sediment transfer process within the estuaryand its effect on the crucial mudflat habitats; and,secondly, development of a coherent and com-prehensive environmental improvement and land-scaping strategy for the entire harbour area.

On the first count an Environmental Impact Studywas undertaken, which found no discernible riskto the mudflats from the proposed developments.Consequently, on the second count, a visionarylandscape strategy was developed for the entireport area including innovative construction, plan-ning and design guidelines for future develop-ments. The strategy, based on a pro-active con-sensus-led approach, was produced despite ini-tial concerns from some interests that such astrategy would limit future development options.

A total of seven pilot actions were initiated on thebasis of the new guidelines which demonstratedthe robustness of the new approach. There arelisted in the panel below.

Package 1 - The seven Pilot Sub-projectsPackage 1 - The seven Pilot Sub-projectsPackage 1 - The seven Pilot Sub-projectsPackage 1 - The seven Pilot Sub-projectsPackage 1 - The seven Pilot Sub-projects

● Tree and shrub planting to improve an area of

new industrial units.

● Construction of walls and planting of trees to

enhance the entrance of an office complex.

● Building restoration and refurbishment on a

prominent river frontage.

● Landscape improvements to an important

spine road.

● Building restoration and refurbishment of an

historic administrative building.

● Restoration and refurbishment of another key

historic building.

● Building clearance and landscape improve-

ments in a new commercial area.

Packages 2 and 3 - South and NorthPackages 2 and 3 - South and NorthPackages 2 and 3 - South and NorthPackages 2 and 3 - South and NorthPackages 2 and 3 - South and NorthFFFFForeshoreoreshoreoreshoreoreshoreoreshore

Packages 2 and 3 focused on a series of sub-projects located respectively on the north andsouth foreshores of the estuary.

On the south foreshore, the measures imple-mented included two major habitat creation andenhancement schemes. One, beside theloughshore, involved the development of a 13hectare site incorporating a lagoon, protectiveearthworks and tree planting and impressive birdviewing facilities, all of which contribute to in-creasing the site’s value as a natural habitat forwildlife. The other scheme involved the creationof a Nature Conservation Area and the safeguard-ing of some 23 hectares of habitat, which alsorepresents a significant resource capable of be-ing developed by future investment to serviceschool and other educational demands. Bothareas, managed on behalf of conservation andwildlife interests by the Royal Society for the Pro-tection of Birds, provide a uniquely attractive land-scape setting for the business park and othercommercial developments in the area. The NCAalso adjoins the main runway of Belfast City Air-port and is already featuring in promotional ma-terial for both the airport and the business park.

Other sub-projects addressed the enhancementof main access routes serving the south side ofthe harbour. Over 800 metres of new ornamen-tal boundary wall were constructed at the mainentry point, linking with new slip roads from thecity’s urban motorway and cross-harbour bridge.Extensive tree and shrub planting was also car-

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Spring 1998 Urban Pilot Projects Newsletter 5

The Sewage Treatment Interpretative Centre

ried out along the corridor of the main distributorroad leading from the access point into the in-dustrial and commercial zone.

On the north foreshore, the main focus of activitywas the landfill site operated by Belfast City Coun-cil and extending to some 133 hectares created bythe dumping of waste. Four of the five sub-projectsin this area aimed to make a direct contribution toits restoration and sustainable after-use. Measuresimplemented included the development of “cleantechnology” solutions for the recycling of dredgedriver sediments as a topsoil substitute therebyachieving considerable savings, and the pilotingof a system for the utilisation of landfill gas to gen-erate electricity. Other schemes included the for-mation of two tidal inlets to create new mudflat habi-tats for birds, and the masterplanning of recrea-tional and nature conservation after-uses for the site.

PPPPPackage 4 - Sewage Tackage 4 - Sewage Tackage 4 - Sewage Tackage 4 - Sewage Tackage 4 - Sewage Treatment Wreatment Wreatment Wreatment Wreatment WorksorksorksorksorksInterpretative CentreInterpretative CentreInterpretative CentreInterpretative CentreInterpretative Centre

This project focused on the restoration and re-useof two Victorian brick buildings and, adjacent tothem, the creation of a lake and conservation area.The two Victorian buildings, which are beside newstate-of-the-art sewage treatment facilities, weretransformed into a sewage treatment heritage andinterpretive centre. This innovative centre exploresthe educational and interpretative opportunities ofthe wastewater process by explaining the history,importance and techniques of sewage manage-ment. The centre is targeted at the primary andsecondary school level, although it also has thecapacity to reach a wider audience.

PPPPPackage 5 - Dissemination and Inforackage 5 - Dissemination and Inforackage 5 - Dissemination and Inforackage 5 - Dissemination and Inforackage 5 - Dissemination and Infor-----mation Exchangemation Exchangemation Exchangemation Exchangemation Exchange

A wide-ranging dissemination programme wasimplemented, emphasising both the technicalknowledge and practical experience which wasaccumulated in the course of executing the PilotProject. Outputs include the publication of arti-cles in relevant journals, the production of threevideo films, attendance at seminars and confer-ences, and the production of promotional leaf-lets and brochures. Technically innovativeprojects, including the use of landfill gas and re-cycling of river silts, and projects which highlighteducational and interpretative opportunities, willbe of particular interest to equivalent cities andestuaries in other member countries throughoutthe Community. A Review document describingthe entire UPP is currently in preparation and willbe disseminated to interested parties.

PPPPPartnership: The Belfast Harbour Fartnership: The Belfast Harbour Fartnership: The Belfast Harbour Fartnership: The Belfast Harbour Fartnership: The Belfast Harbour Forumorumorumorumorum

The Belfast Harbour Forum, formed at the invita-tion of DOE (NI), comprised a range of bodieswith interests in the harbour area (see panel be-low). The UPP was a crucial factor in consolidat-ing the consensus reached across the spectrumof economic and environmental interests repre-sented, as the project provided a focus aroundwhich relationships could develop. To deliver asuccessful UPP it was necessary to address thecomplex administrative obstacles associated withthe involvement of numerous organisations andtheir internal hierarchies. As a vehicle to facili-tate this, the Belfast Harbour Forum has beeninstrumental, and its effectiveness was undoubt-edly increased by its direct links with the practi-cal measures funded through the UPP grant aid.A Technical Sub-Committee was also formed toconsider and report to the Forum on the range oftechnical issues arising from the UPP.

Following the conclusion of the BHUPP, the Bel-fast Harbour Forum stood down. However, giventhe proliferation of co-ordinating bodies for estu-aries appearing throughout the UK and Europe,the model of the Belfast Harbour Forum, with its

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The members of the Urban Belfast Harbour Forum

tightly-focussed and action-led approach, has thepotential for wider application.

Members of the Urban Belfast Harbour FMembers of the Urban Belfast Harbour FMembers of the Urban Belfast Harbour FMembers of the Urban Belfast Harbour FMembers of the Urban Belfast Harbour Forumorumorumorumorum

● Council for Nature Conservation and the

Countryside

● Belfast Harbour Commissioners

● Belfast City Council

● Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

● Belfast City Airport

● Harland and Wolff Ltd

● Shorts Bombardier

● Ulster Wildlife Trust

A Case Study for Local SustainableA Case Study for Local SustainableA Case Study for Local SustainableA Case Study for Local SustainableA Case Study for Local SustainableDevelopmentDevelopmentDevelopmentDevelopmentDevelopment

The Belfast Harbour Urban Pilot Project has success-fully demonstrated that the economic developmentof a port and the conservation of a sensitive estua-rine environment need not be mutually exclusive. Ithas had an impressive physical impact, and throughthe partnership between public, private and volun-tary bodies, it has also had strong catalytic impacton the economic growth of the harbour. The effectof actions will be felt for a long time as complemen-tary projects are born out of the partnership and theproject’s strategic guidelines.

The Partnership Approach -The Partnership Approach -The Partnership Approach -The Partnership Approach -The Partnership Approach -Comparisons with other UPPsComparisons with other UPPsComparisons with other UPPsComparisons with other UPPsComparisons with other UPPs

A number of the recently launched Phase II UPPsbuild on the theme of local partnerships for sustain-

able development. They demonstrate that the prin-ciples developed in the Belfast Harbour can be ap-plied to a wide variety of contexts. By creating part-nerships with the relevant groups, the goal of envi-ronmental protection can be made compatible withother social or economic priorities. Indeed projectsappear to demonstrate that environmental concernscan reinforce economic and social actions.

In Gran Canaria (E), it has been proposed to cre-ate a partnership to solve conflicting land usepressures. The relevant public bodies, the pri-vate sector, residents and the local University aimto solve the competing land use problems of theGuiniguada basin. The target area is an area ofhigh ecological value on the outskirts of LasPalmas which is under the combined pressuresof urbanisation, rural depopulation and conser-vation. The partnership takes the form of a foun-dation to manage the area in the long term.

In Dortmund (D), a partnership with environmen-tal goals is being developed in the context of adeprived housing estate. In partnership with lo-cal residents, the project sets out to improve thehandling of waste through an integrated ap-proach, at the same time addressing the socialand economic problems affecting the area. Apublic campaign aims to involve the residents inthe implementation of the project, and there is astrong emphasis on creating permanent jobs forlocal residents.

A recurring theme in some of these new projectsis the development of support services for theprivate sector to encourage the take-up of envi-ronmental techniques. For example, in Leices-ter (UK), the “Blueprint for Sustainable Develop-ment” project develops a partnership with SMEsin an inner city area characterised by high un-employment, a lack of business confidence andsubstantial ethnic minority communities. Thepartnership will be used to ensure that the SMEsrecognise the competitive advantage of apply-ing environmental management techniques. Theinitiative is backed by urban regeneration actions,which comprehensively tackle the problems ofthe area.

The Belfast Harbour Urban Pilot Project -A partnership for sustainability (continued)

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Lisbon’s Urban Pilot Project ran from 1993 to 1996 and had a total planned budget of ECU 7.5million with ECU 5.6 million (75%) co-financed through Article 10 of the ERDF. Its aim was to stimu-late the economic regeneration of two run-down areas of the city. It consisted of two main sub-projects: the regeneration of the Baluarte do Livramento area, and the restoration of the PalacioPancas Palha. The project provides useful examples of how to establish new uses for historic build-ings and the physical changes needed to turn around the decline of a run-down district. It alsohighlights some of the problems which can be encountered dealing with the more sensitive, olderareas of a city’s fabric.

The Lisbon Urban Pilot Project -Breaking the spiral of decline in deprived districts

Objectives: A Revival Based on HeritageObjectives: A Revival Based on HeritageObjectives: A Revival Based on HeritageObjectives: A Revival Based on HeritageObjectives: A Revival Based on Heritage

As with many cities in Europe, Lisbon’s geogra-phy includes deprived pockets facing a viciouscircle of physical decay and economic exclusion.Despite recent economic growth, some areas ofthe city have been unable to break through thisspiral of decline. Lisbon’s Urban Pilot Project con-centrated on two deprived areas of the city aim-ing, through high profile physical interventions, tocreate the necessary conditions for an economicrevival. These interventions focused on the city’s

heritage and aimed to reintegrate the deprivedareas into the wider context of the city, by creatingattractions of wide public interest.

One of the project’s two main actions was therestoration of a listed historic monument - thePalacio Pancas Palha - and the development ofnew uses for the building: mainly cultural activi-ties and research facilities. The overall aim ofthis action was to improve the quality of life forthe local residents and to encourage a certain“integration” of the population, as residents ofother, more affluent districts would participate in theactivities of the centre.

The project’s second intervention concentratedon the “Baluarte do Livramento” area near theold city’s fortified walls. This is a district of poorhousing and living conditions. Through a seriesof restoration works and infrastructure improve-ments, the project aimed to improve the livingconditions of local residents and to attract neweconomic activities and visitors to the area.Through this action, it was also hoped to inducea wider regeneration of the Alcantara Valley, oneof Lisbon’s poorer neighbourhoods.

Restoration of the “Palacio PancasRestoration of the “Palacio PancasRestoration of the “Palacio PancasRestoration of the “Palacio PancasRestoration of the “Palacio PancasPalha”: New Uses for Old BuildingsPalha”: New Uses for Old BuildingsPalha”: New Uses for Old BuildingsPalha”: New Uses for Old BuildingsPalha”: New Uses for Old Buildings

The restoration of the Palacio Pancas Palha wassuccessfully completed in 1995. The buildinghad suffered from serious structural damagewhich necessitated more detailed studies andmore work than initially anticipated. The palacewas eventually restored to its initial condition,

A view of the refurbished Palacio Pancas Palha, acentre for cultural activities and research facilities

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using traditional craft techniques and fully re-specting the original interior design. This in-cluded the restoration of wall paintings and theuse of traditional material where appropriate.

As initially envisaged, new uses have been devel-oped for the building as a scientific research andcultural centre. The building is now equipped withmodern facilities and is used for cultural events (e.g.exhibitions and concerts). It is fully operational, al-though more works are planned to improve the useof certain areas. Two organisations are housed ona permanent basis in the palace: Lisbon’s localauthority enterprise for the management of equip-ment in Lisbon’s historic districts (EBAHL-EPM), andan economic and social research organisation(CIDFC). An exhibition at the entrance of the pal-ace shows the state of the building prior to restora-tion and informs visitors about the restoration workundertaken. An informative brochure has also beenproduced by the Municipality on the restorationprocess and the new uses of the palace.

The large range of cultural activities undertakenand the publicity given to the project allowed theattainment of one of the sub-project’s main ob-jectives - to provide local residents with the op-portunity to participate in cultural activities as wellas attracting visitors from across the city, thusintegrating the area into the wider urban area.Moreover, a number of indirect effects of theproject have also been realised. For example, anincrease in the activity of small local businesses,and a number of cases where the owners of adja-cent buildings have cleaned their facades and re-stored buildings.

The “Baluarte do Livramento” - Regen-The “Baluarte do Livramento” - Regen-The “Baluarte do Livramento” - Regen-The “Baluarte do Livramento” - Regen-The “Baluarte do Livramento” - Regen-eration of the City’s Feration of the City’s Feration of the City’s Feration of the City’s Feration of the City’s Fortress Wortress Wortress Wortress Wortress Wallsallsallsallsalls

The “Baluarte do Livramento” is an area near Lis-bon’s fortified 17th century walls. Since the 18thcentury the area has supplied housing for the city’sindustrial workers. Over the years this area has de-cayed and the quality of the housing stock has de-- and after restoration

The Pancas Palha building before -

- during -

The Lisbon Urban Pilot Project -Breaking the spiral of decline in deprived districts (continued)

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teriorated. At the start of the project the area housedover 100 families in extremely run-down buildings.

This project’s actions consisted mostly of infra-structure works. These included the construc-tion of a new building complex to accommodatesmall shops, a tourist office, a restaurant, a carpark and a museum on Baluarte fortifications.The project also restored a number of buildingsand hoped to restore the Villa Operaria, a poor andrun-down building, converting it from housing intodesign studios.

However, implementation of this action encoun-tered an array of unforeseen delays. These high-light the problems associated with regenerationactivities in older more sensitive areas. At theonset of the project, delays were experienced dueto difficulties in acquiring the land and re-hous-ing around 100 families who lived in the district.Surprisingly, it proved very difficult to convincethe residents to leave the area, even though

was historically very important as only two out ofa total of 42 fortresses that existed at that timearound Lisbon have ever been discovered. Thedetailed examination of the site by archaeologistssignificantly affected the timescale and the typeof construction that was finally required. Despiteserious delays to the project, the discovery wasultimately to the project’s benefit as the walls wereincluded as a display in a museum developedfor this purpose on the site.

An additional problem was the severe structuraldamage of the Villa Operaria. The initial inten-tion was to renovate the building, but it did notcomply with construction standards. It was thuseventually decided to demolish the Villa and con-struct a new building.

Unfortunately it has not been possible to com-plete the Baluarte do Livramento project withinthe timetable of the UPP, resulting in a decreasein the level of ERDF Article 10 co-financing.Nonetheless, the project continues and will becompleted with alternative funding. The projectappears set to fulfi l its initial objectives.

The Baluarte do Livramento complex

alternative accommodation was available and theworks were designed for their ultimate benefit.The older residents especially were sentimentallyattached to what had been their family propertyfor generations.

Subsequent delays were encountered due to theunearthing of archaeological remains in the area.The demolition of some houses revealed moreof the walls than expected. Moreover, parts ofan earlier 16th century fort were uncovered. This

The excavation of archaelogical remains in theBaluarte do Livramento area

The building complex, once completed, will bewell designed and of good quality. It will providea number of services and facilities for tourists andresidents, thus helping to improve the area’simage and stimulate further development.

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Lessons to be LearntLessons to be LearntLessons to be LearntLessons to be LearntLessons to be Learnt

Numerous areas in Europe are looking for waysto initiate an upturn in the economic and sociallife of some of their more deprived neighbour-hoods. The success of the restoration of thePalacio Pancas Palha demonstrates the poten-tial for restoration activities based on heritage toinitiate a wider economic and social renewal ofthese areas. It also underlines the importanceof creating a large physical impact as well asproviding an example of the cultural and socialuses to which historically important but dysfunc-tional buildings can be put.

Conversely, the restoration of the Baluarte doLivramento shows the intricate problems that canbefall such projects when they deal with socially andhistorically sensitive areas. The lack of close citizenparticipation caused serious delays in the implemen-tation of the action. Without proper consultation, re-generation projects - however well intended - canbe viewed as outside interference and threateningto populations which already may feel excluded fromthe life of the wider city. Also, exceptional and de-tailed consideration must be given to the physicalfabric of these areas. As the Lisbon project pro-ceeded, unforeseen structural problems led to de-lays and increased costs. This was further exacer-bated by the uncovering of important architecturalremains in the area. Although difficult to foresee,this further disrupted the project’s timetable.

Comparisons with other Urban PilotComparisons with other Urban PilotComparisons with other Urban PilotComparisons with other Urban PilotComparisons with other Urban PilotProjectsProjectsProjectsProjectsProjects

Useful comparisons can be made with otherprojects funded under the Urban Pilot Pro-gramme. Of the Phase I projects, Liège and Lyonalso used physical interventions based largelyon cultural and heritage themes as part of therevival of a deprived area. Liège’s UPP restoreda 100-year old footbridge and part of the riverfront to improve access and stimulate the inte-gration of the Outer Meuse area into the com-mercial life of the city. Lyon’s project restored anold church to house cultural and conference fa-

cilities to be used by the entire city, as well as amulti-media “Scientific Discoveries” centre forchildren and young students.

As a whole, the recently launched Phase II UPPs con-centrate less on single infrastructure projects anddevelop more integrated and diverse actions to as-sist deprived areas. Still, many projects establish newactivities in deprived areas to facilitate their economicintegration. Interestingly, many of the centres are de-signed to have more regional and wider significancethan their Phase I counterparts. The Alexandroupolisproject aims to integrate its deprived eastern districtby establishing a natural history museum which willbe linked through telematics to other centres acrossthe Black Sea region. Besançon’s UPP promotes arange of activities in its centre, the Saint Jean District,in order to promote itself as a regional centre. Bor-deaux’s project undertakes a range of improvementsin the dilapidated industrial and port area includingfacilities to attract cruise liners to Bordeaux.

The Liège project also based the revival of thetarget area on the city’s heritage: the project in-cluded the restoration of a 100-year old foot-bridge and part of the old river front

The Lisbon Urban Pilot Project -Breaking the spiral of decline in deprived districts (continued)

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Culture - Europe’s Most VCulture - Europe’s Most VCulture - Europe’s Most VCulture - Europe’s Most VCulture - Europe’s Most Valuable Assetaluable Assetaluable Assetaluable Assetaluable Asset

The diversity of cultural heritage in Europe is oneof its most valuable assets. Within Europe’s rela-tively small geography, there is an unrivalledwealth in its cities’ cultural variety and history. Thepreservation and development of this heritage areimportant elements in developing the quality oflife in urban areas. Moreover, there are increas-ing signs that culture itself can become a majorcomponent of a city’s economic development.The European Commission’s White Paper on“Growth, Competitiveness and Employment”identified culture as a growth sector for employ-ment. With many urban areas suffering from arange of economic and social problems, the rolethat culture can play in urban regeneration isbecoming increasingly apparent.

In November 1996, the European Commissionpublished a Communication entitled “CohesionPolicy and Culture”. It identified a range of proc-esses that were increasing the economic impor-tance of culture. These included the move to amore service-based economy and social trends,such as increased personal mobility and moreleisure time. These trends were broadening thedefinition of cultural products beyond the “clas-sical” definition based on heritage and the pres-ervation of physical artefacts, towards the incor-poration of commercial items and economic ac-tivities that build on the cultural theme. A new“cultural economy” is thus emerging using me-dia such as music, the arts, literature, books, tel-evision and entertainment.

It is estimated that approximately ECU 400 mil-lion of the Structural Fund resources spent be-tween 1989-93 went directly to the cultural sec-tor. The current Structural Fund programmesfurther build on the cultural theme. Nonethe-less, the Communication on Cohesion Policyand Culture concludes that the potential role ofthe Structural Funds in cultural industries is notyet fully exploited.

The Theme of Culture in Urban Regeneration

Article 10 - Urban Pilot ProjectsArticle 10 - Urban Pilot ProjectsArticle 10 - Urban Pilot ProjectsArticle 10 - Urban Pilot ProjectsArticle 10 - Urban Pilot Projects

Article 10 of the ERDF allows the Commission tofinance innovative pilot projects to test new ideasfor the future application of Community regionalfunds. It also allows co-operation and exchanges ofexperience actions between regional and local enti-ties exploring common solutions to new problems.

As one of the Article 10 programmes, the UrbanPilot Programme is providing, among otherthings, examples and new ideas on ways in whichthe cultural theme can be used to promote theeconomic development of cities.

The Phase I Urban Pilot Projects launched be-tween 1990 and 1993 funded more “classical”cultural interventions which focused on physicalactions for the preservation or development of thecultural heritage. These actions were often usedto reverse the spiral of decline in a depressed area.Examples of projects of this type include theprojects in Lisbon, Liège and Lyon (see the articleon Lisbon in this Newsletter). Other projects re-stored the physical heritage in historic centres aspart of an attempt to integrate them into the eco-nomic life of the city. Examples of these includeprojects in Thessaloniki, Porto and Genoa (see theWinter 1997 edition of the UPP Newsletter).

Some of the 26 Phase II projects launched in June1997 develop a new approach, using culturalthemes as a basis for more integrated regenera-tion. For example, the Granada UPP aims tobring about a regeneration of its Moorish district- El Albaicín - by building on its Arab culture. Thedistrict close to the famous monument of the Al-hambra Palace, was designated a world herit-age site by UNESCO. The area suffers from ac-cessibility problems, an ageing population, thegradual deterioration of buildings and a generallack of economic and cultural vitality. The projectdevelops an integrated package of actions tack-ling the district’s problems, all drawing on aMoorish “theme”. These include the establish-ment of a University Faculty focusing on Arab

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culture in the district, the promotion of the area’straditional crafts, the establishment of new mu-seums and archaeological displays.

The Huddersfield Urban Pilot Project takes theuse of the cultural theme one step further. Itdevelops culture not in the context of thephysical urban heritage, but as an economicsector in itself and focuses attention on de-veloping economically viable cultural indus-tries in areas such as music, the arts, litera-ture, film and television. The project formspart of a long-term integrated strategy for thecity which aims to reinforce, nurture and sus-tain Huddersfield as a Creative Town by cap-turing, developing and harnessing the crea-tive potential of its citizens. The project stillhas an area focus - it targets a prominent, butfunctionally obsolescent, sector of the towncentre - but this is combined with the objec-tive of supporting the overall development of“creative industries”. In order to implementthe project, a working partnership has beenestablished with numerous actors includingthe University and local college, the Yorkshireand Humberside Arts Board and private con-sultants. These are seen as essential to en-sure the sustainability of the project and thecommercial sector take-off in the target area.

The Helsinki project takes cultural industries asits focus, with the creation of a film and mediacentre in a landmark building in the city centre.The Lasipalatsi building was built in 1936 for theOlympic Games, and is a fine example of mod-ernist architecture, although it is currently inneed of restoration. The project aims to restorethis architecturally valuable building, and con-vert it into a multi-purpose cultural facility, thefirst of its kind in the city. The centre will incor-porate two arts cinemas, an information servicefor young people, free Internet access points,as well as exhibition space and a café. The aimis for the centre to become a focal point for cul-tural and media activities in the city and, com-bined with a regeneration strategy for the sur-rounding neighbourhood, it will act as a cata-lyst for take-off in the area. To this end, theproject has been keen to involve a number ofprivate sector partners, including national film,television and telecommunications companies,that will help to ensure the sustainability of theproject in the long term.

Rather than focusing on one cultural facility, theUPP in Graz involves the collaboration of threeexisting facilities - a museum, a cinema and atheatre - to create the e.l.m.a.s. project. The strat-egy involves an integrated approach to the re-generation of the Jakomini district, a low-incomeneighbourhood with a high proportion of ethnicminority groups. The strategy includes investmentin the existing cultural services, the creation of anew cultural centre, “e.l.m.a.s. campus” where amulticultural programme of events will be staged,and a series of local employment measures.These will offer work placements to the long termunemployed to renovate a recreational park, andto foreign residents to become involved in cul-tural projects within the initiative. The overall aimis to create a new sense of urban communitythrough support to cultural and recreational ac-tivities and facilities, with strong emphasis on in-tegrating the socially underprivileged sections ofthe population.

Promotional material to stimulate local awarenessof the “Creative Town Initiative” in Huddersfield

The Theme of Culture in Urban Regeneration (continued)

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culture-related tourism by improved visitor man-agement and city promotion policies.

The PROMISE project aims to explore the tech-nology provided by CD-ROMs and the Internetto set up city-promotional activities world-wide.The project is being implemented by Helsinki,Newcastle, Palermo and Florence. The partner-ship is concerned with the lack of promotion ofthe cultural heritage of many European cities, andcertainly medium-sized non-capital cities, at Eu-ropean and international levels. There is conse-quently a failure to generate the commercial spin-offs that culture can bring. The project thus aimsto use modern information technology and mul-timedia presentations as a forum for promotingcultural heritage. This will result in the creationof a “Virtual Museum” on the Internet.

For further details of the “Culture” programme,please consult the following Website:

http://wwwhttp://wwwhttp://wwwhttp://wwwhttp://www.aeidl.be/art10/culture.htm.aeidl.be/art10/culture.htm.aeidl.be/art10/culture.htm.aeidl.be/art10/culture.htm.aeidl.be/art10/culture.htm

or contact:

Europe Innovation 2000

9-11, rue des Ménapiens

B - 1040 - Brussels

Tel: + 32 2 743 83 23/26

Fax: + 32 2 743 83 10

Useful Lessons for Cultural Actions inUseful Lessons for Cultural Actions inUseful Lessons for Cultural Actions inUseful Lessons for Cultural Actions inUseful Lessons for Cultural Actions inUrban RegenerationUrban RegenerationUrban RegenerationUrban RegenerationUrban Regeneration

The new broader definition of culture in the urbancontext, as illustrated by a number of Article 10projects, can bring together many aspects of a city’smanagement. Examples include marketing the cityfor investment, promoting of tourism, improving thequality of life for its citizens and promoting the city’soverall economic development. The successful ex-ploitation of a city’s cultural potential thus has thecapacity to act as a catalyst for a whole range ofurban improvements. City authorities faced withsmaller spending budgets but higher expectationscan use the cultural theme to trigger social and eco-nomic regeneration in their cities.

Article 10 - The “Culture” ProgrammeArticle 10 - The “Culture” ProgrammeArticle 10 - The “Culture” ProgrammeArticle 10 - The “Culture” ProgrammeArticle 10 - The “Culture” Programme

Article 10 also finances a specific programmefor the promotion of culture and heritage as partof a broader programme on Local and RegionalDevelopment Initiatives. The “Culture” pro-gramme finances inter-regional co-operation net-works developing the cultural theme. The pro-gramme recognises the growing role of culturein the private sector, where it has a strong growthpotential and where its capacity for creativity, in-novation and production are a positive force inthe regional and local economy. With this ration-ale the programme is financing 32 inter-regionalpilot projects promoting local heritage and es-tablishing cultural networks.

Some of these projects have a particular urbanfocus. For example, a network led by the city ofBrighton in the United Kingdom aims to improvethe access of residents and visitors to informa-tion on local culture by using new multi-mediatechnology at visitor information points. The net-work also aims to increase the benefits of

The Helsinki project - Design of the arts cinemato be constructed in the Lasipalatsi building

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Energy saving is becoming an increasingly im-portant consideration in urban planning andpolicy initiatives. As the efforts of European mu-nicipalities towards sustainable developmentmultiply, the issue of environmental sustainabilityin the production and use of energy in the ur-ban habitat rises on the urban agenda. At EUlevel, a number of initiatives have developed inrecent years aimed at exploring new approachesand exchanges in environmental management,and at promoting the exchange of experienceand know-how between the actors concerned.This article presents two such initiatives whichbuild on, and further promote, the benefits ofcooperation and exchange between Europeancities: the REBUILD and Energie-Cités networks.The article also reviews the ways energy issuesare addressed in a number of Urban PilotProjects.

REBUILD - Renewable Energy in theREBUILD - Renewable Energy in theREBUILD - Renewable Energy in theREBUILD - Renewable Energy in theREBUILD - Renewable Energy in theRestoration of Historic BuildingsRestoration of Historic BuildingsRestoration of Historic BuildingsRestoration of Historic BuildingsRestoration of Historic Buildings

REBUILD was launched in 1992 as an Article 10inter-regional cooperation project. It consistedof a network of cities which aimed to improvemedium term energy planning by investigatingways of using advanced solar energy technol-ogy in historic buildings. REBUILD drew up me-dium term energy plans for the building sector ineach of the 8 partner cities, and developed casestudies for the installation of solar equipment inbuildings in each city.

first European REBUILD Conference held in Corfuin 1995, a second Conference was held on 1-3April 1998 in Florence, entitled “Shaping our Eu-ropean Cities for the 21st Century”. It aimed topromote methods of developing the urban envi-ronment which are global, innovative, resource-saving and environmentally sound.

The Conference brought together urban policymakers and planners, representatives of localauthorities, municipal utilities, social and eco-nomic actors from the construction sector andthose involved in environmentally friendly meth-ods of producing and using energy. Participantsexchanged experience and know-how in threemain areas:

● planning methodologies for sustainable urban

development

● the potential of innovative techniques to refur-

bish existing urban fabric

● sustainable mobility in the urban context

Particular emphasis was given to techniqueswhich combine improved energy efficiency andeffectiveness with consideration for buildings’aesthetic and historical character and value.

The conference was supported by the EuropeanCommission (DGXVII). It reflected and pro-moted the new targeted objective of the Euro-pean Commission - the city of tomorrow - andis a central part of an ongoing effort to contrib-ute to the shaping of European cities for the 21stcentury.

For more information about REBUILD, pleasecontact:

ETA Florence

Piazza Savonarola 10

I-50132 Florence

Italy

Tel: +39 55 5002174

Fax: +39 55 573425

Energy Management in Urban Planning:Initiatives and Networks of European Cities

Although Article 10 co-financing came to an endin 1995, exchanges between the municipalitieshave continued. Following the success of the

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EnergiEnergiEnergiEnergiEnergieeeee-Cités-Cités-Cités-Cités-Cités - An association of 70 - An association of 70 - An association of 70 - An association of 70 - An association of 70European municipalitiesEuropean municipalitiesEuropean municipalitiesEuropean municipalitiesEuropean municipalities

Energie-Cités is an association of 70 Europeancities, chaired by the Municipality of Barcelona,which aims:

● to strengthen the role and skills of municipali-

ties so that they become essential partners in

implementing energy policies

● to represent the interests of municipalities and

their inhabitants and to formulate opinions to

present to both national and Community au-

thorities

● to develop exchanges of experience and trans-

fers of know-how between municipalities

In addition, Energie-Cités is involved in variousprojects with more than 150 Europeanmuncipalities. As part of its exchange of experi-ence programme, the association held a semi-nar in Barcelona on 12-13 March 1998, entitled“Deregulation of Energy Markets, Energy Man-agement and Environment : What Roles for Eu-ropean Municipalities?”. The seminar examinedthe likely effects of energy market deregulationon municipalities in their roles as: energy con-sumers; energy producers and distributors; ur-ban planners; and representatives of Europeancitizens in the fields of energy management andenvironmental protection.

A series of round tables were included in theseminar, designed to prompt discussion and tobring together local urban actors, representativesof political and academic communities as wellas officials from unions and management. Theyexamined the future role of European municipali-ties in energy issues, in the light of EC electricityand gas directives and national legislation fromEU Member States.

For more information about Energie-Cités or theresults of the Conference, please visit the asso-ciation’s Website (in English and French):http://www.energie-cites.org or contact:

Douchka Anderson-Pejovic

Energie-Cités2 chemin de la Palente

F-25000 Besançon

France

Tel: +33 3 81 65 36 80

Fax: +33 3 81 50 73 51

E-mail: http://www.energie-cites.org

Urban Pilot Projects - TUrban Pilot Projects - TUrban Pilot Projects - TUrban Pilot Projects - TUrban Pilot Projects - Tackling energyackling energyackling energyackling energyackling energyissuesissuesissuesissuesissues

In line with the European Commission’s overallconcern for environmental issues, a number ofthe new Urban Pilot Projects have included en-ergy issues in their overall strategy for tacklingurban regeneration.

The Leicester (UK) Urban Pilot Project hasadopted a regeneration strategy based on envi-ronmental management and sustainable devel-opment. Woven into the package of measuresare a number of actions which address issues ofenergy saving and renewable energy, including:grants for energy saving schemes, a mobile unitoffering energy advice to businesses, and a dem-onstration unit giving advice on the reduction ofpollution and energy consumption for individu-als and SMEs.

As part of its overall strategy to develop sustainabilityat a local level, the Falun /Borlänge (S) project willinvite proposals for a series of sustainable devel-opment demonstration projects in a range ofenvironmental areas, including energy. The aim isto generate innovative proposals that will involvelocal environmental companies in the project’sactivities.

Along with a comprehensive package of meas-ures to stimulate economic activity and to tacklesocial exclusion in the city’s busy market area,the Turin (IT) Urban Pilot Project is also concernedwith environmental sustainability, and has incor-porated a number of energy saving actions intoits strategy. It will draw up a “Neighbourhood

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Energy Plan”, and will encourage energy savingdevices in building renovation.

The West Athens (GR) Urban Pilot Project aimsto use renewable energy sources in the opera-tion of its “intelligent” bus stops. The energyneeded to operate the high-tech equipment willbe acquired by autonomous photovoltaic devicesinstalled on top of the bus stops.

A series of first phase Urban Pilot Projects alsotackled energy issues. The project in Copenha-gen (DK) aimed to combine “eco-technology” withurban renewal, by focusing on the reconversion of aformer market building into a Centre for Urban “Eco-technology”. An advanced energy control systemwas incorporated into the design of the building.

In another project also concerned with buildingreconversion, the nineteenth century swimmingbaths in Dresden (D) have been fully restored toserve the low-income population living in the area.During the restoration, feasibility studies wereundertaken regarding environmentally friendlybuilding techniques, and energy saving technolo-gies were adopted in the overall building design.

As part of the Belfast (UK) Urban Pilot Project, alarge landfill site was reclaimed close to the es-tuary. In association with this action, a renew-able energy measure was piloted, by tapping gasleaking from the waste. Following consultationwith neighbouring industries, the methane emit-ted from the site will be used to generate elec-tricity for local users.

A seminar involving the Urban Pilot Projects willtake place on 12 May 1998 at the Borschette Cen-tre in Brussels. The seminar is organised by theEuropean Commission and the Technical Assist-ance and aims to bring together, for the secondtime since their launching in July 1997, repre-sentatives from all 26 Phase II UPPs. Representa-tives of certain Phase I completed projects willalso be invited both to attend and to present theexperiences and achievements of their projects.

Whilst the first seminar on 17 July 1997 focusedon administrative and procedural issues, theforthcoming event aims to promote the exchangeof experience and know-how between projectsand with the Commission’s services. The semi-nar will focus on three main areas:

● Partnership BuildingPartnership BuildingPartnership BuildingPartnership BuildingPartnership Building. The establishment of broad

partnerships between citizens, local and national

institutions, the private and voluntary sectors, as

well as the adoption of broad consultation proce-

dures, are important aspects of the urban regen-

eration schemes proposed by most UPPs.

Projects will be invited to present their strategies

and experiences for “building” and “maintaining”

these partnerships “on the ground”.

● Management Structures and ProcessesManagement Structures and ProcessesManagement Structures and ProcessesManagement Structures and ProcessesManagement Structures and Processes.

Projects will be invited to present and discuss

their approach in managing complex projects,

involving a multitude of local and regional/na-

tional actors and “external” factors. Particular

emphasis will be placed on experiences involv-

ing the creation of new structures/agencies for

the purposes of managing the Pilot Project.

● Exchange of Experience and DisseminationExchange of Experience and DisseminationExchange of Experience and DisseminationExchange of Experience and DisseminationExchange of Experience and Dissemination.

The seminar will explore the benefits of such activi-

ties, which are part of the “value added” of being

involved in a European programme. It will also aim

to provide a basis for co-ordinating the activities of

the Commission’s services, of the Technical Assist-

ance and of the projects themselves. The objective

is to maximise the dissemination of “good practice”

and “lessons learnt” over the next couple of years,

until the end of this programming period.

Seminar on Urban Pilot Projects

Energy Management in Urban Planning:Initiatives and Networks of European Cities (continued)

spring 1998 -...

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