Urban Forum 2012. Brussels, 16 February 2012

Posted on: 13 March 2012
By: mackene
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The European Commission’s recently published proposals for new Regulations in the field of regional policy put a strong emphasis on integrated urban development, with a number of important suggestions to ensure that cities play their full role in driving growth in the EU. A key element in these proposals is the Commission’s intention to seek a direct, long-term, interaction between mayors and Commission officials working on their regions at a European level, with the aim of identifying future urban challenges and how they can be tackled successfully at all levels. The Urban Forum provided an opportunity to discuss the new proposals, with a particular focus on the role of cities in promoting sustainable growth. The Forum was divided into three thematic panels: Europe 2020 and the challenge of coordinating thematic investments in cities and promoting integrated urban development; Innovative actions for sustainable urban development; Integrated Territorial Investment: How may it work for fostering the urban dimension of cohesion policy? Presentations and background information are available online.

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Planning for growth: from rhetoric to reality. London, 27 February 2012

Posted on: 13 March 2012
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This conference presented some practical advice on how councils can work collaboratively to realize their ambitions for creating strong and prosperous communities. Presentations are available online.

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International practice in participatory planning. London, 28 February 2012

Posted on: 13 March 2012
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The following presentations, made at the International Practice in Participatory Planning launch event, are available online:

INTBAU Pune (India) Urban Regeneration Charrette

International models for delivery of affordable housing

Learning in action: Building communities through participatory design

Vive la différence! Learning from the French approach to engaging communities

Community Livelihoods and Sanitation, Kenya

Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012

Posted on: 13 March 2012
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These Regulations come into force on 6th April 2012. The Localism Act 2011 provided a new statutory regime for neighbourhood planning. These Regulations make provision in relation to that new regime.

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Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Collection

Posted on: 13 March 2012
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The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham has published a guide to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), listing legislation and guidance, together with a number of questions and answers.

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Biodiversity skills. Schneverdingen, Lower Saxony, Germany, 25-27 January 2012

Posted on: 13 March 2012
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28 participants from five Northwest European countries came together to test the first version of a training package for local biodiversity. In a three day programme, the participants tested and evaluated the biodiversity training package for planners, which includes lectures, on-site visits, case studies and working groups. All modules will be presented online on the project website for interested parties to use. Integrating biodiversity into local plans and actions offers many opportunities for local sustainable development. As a result of ongoing decentralization, local administrations have increasing responsibilities for the implementation of biodiversity-related policies.

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Minor measures, major results: Fine-tuning the major infrastructure planning system

Posted on: 12 March 2012
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Further improvements need to be made to major infrastructure planning in the UK to help accelerate investment and speed up decision-making, according to a new report from the CBI.  The CBI urges the Government to reduce uncertainty at the pre-application stage, simplify the non-planning consent landscape, and introduce more flexibility and a sense of urgency into the system.

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Community-led planning toolkit

Posted on: 9 March 2012
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Action with Communities in Rural England has published a second edition of its toolkit which provides step by step guidance for communities who want to produce a holistic plan that will improve the wellbeing and sustainability of their neighbourhood. The toolkit outlines 9 steps that communities should take to produce plans that are well researched, inclusive and achieve the actions they propose.

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London’s World Heritage Sites: Guidance on settings

Posted on: 9 March 2012
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The Mayor of London has published Supplementary Planning Guidance to ensure a more consistent interpretation of setting and understanding of their importance in contributing to an appreciation of Outstanding Universal Value to help support consistency in decision making to conserve the World Heritage Sites’ Outstanding Universal Value, integrity, authenticity and significance.

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Beyond consultation: The role of neighbourhood plans in supporting local involvement in planning

Posted on: 23 February 2012
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This report from the London Assembly’s Planning and Housing Committee captures the challenges involved in making neighbourhood plans a reality in London, and sets down markers to light the way. The report focuses on the new opportunities and challenges facing neighbourhood plans in London in the light of proposals contained in the Localism Act 2011. It also establishes what London boroughs, the Mayor and local communities themselves could do to enable all Londoners to get involved in making plans and policy, and in controlling development.

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