EXPERT GROUP MEETING

Recovering Territorial Balance by Strengthening Urban-Rural Linkages

In an increasingly urbanized world, where more than 2/3 of the world’s population is expected to live in urban areas by 2050, for some years the importance of preserving balances within territories has been discussed. The 2030 Agenda has reinforced the relevance of rural and natural systems on the road to sustainability, and the New Urban Agenda underlines the importance of strengthening the links between cities and rural spaces.

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The Government of Extremadura has been working in recent years to develop the potential of urban and territorial planning to achieve an adequate balance between the urban and the rural. In 2018, the principles emanating from the declaration of the New Urban Agenda were incorporated within the “Sustainable Land and Urban Planning Law of Extremadura” (LOTUS for its Spanish initials).

Main objectives of the EGM presentations and debates will be:

Understand the state of territorial imbalance globally, in Europe, Spain and Extremadura Region
Understand the state of urban-rural linkages globally, in Europe, Spain, and the Extremadura Region, including ongoing initiatives as policies, plans etc.
Identify the causes and impacts of territorial imbalance and (rural) depopulation
Explore how territorial approaches (as urban-rural linkages) could contribute to addressing territorial imbalance and (rural) depopulation
Explore other new approaches, strategies, policies, and plans addressing rural depopulation globally, in Europe and Spain
Explore avenues to integrate territorial approach such as policy, plans and others.

The Concept Note and Programme details in both English and Spanish:

Programme English Document

Concept Note English Document

Programme Spanish Document

Concept Note Spanish Document