Networked regions and cities in times of fragmentation: Developing smart, sustainable and inclusive places

Urban and Regional Planning is facing the urgent challenge of integrating global climate change issues with local mitigation and adaptation efforts, taking into account complex and crosscutting issues that encompass social, economic, and environmental aspects. In this framework, territorial resilience and low carbon economy have a key role in delivering sustainable and resilient cities and regions. The paper focuses on exploring the link between territorial resilience and low carbon economy, starting from some case studies and best practices of the European InterregIV project LoCaRe (Low Carbon Regions). The project involves six European regions with the objective of developing low carbon solutions at regional and local level and contributing to economic growth at the same time. The six regions are: Region Syddanmark (Denmark), Västra Götalandsregionen (Sweden), Principado de Asturias (Spain), Regione Emilia-Romagna (Italy), Gorenjska (Slovenia) and Province of Zeeland (the Netherlands). Additionally, some international and Italian cases are presented, underlining how planning strategies and experienced solutions can show the relationship between low carbon economy, resilience and prosperity; moving towards low carbon regions and cities can mean moving towards economies with increasing Gross Product? Sustainable resource challenge can be tackled in a way that strengthens cities’ and regions’ competitiveness. Market and business potentials, energy efficiency and effectiveness seem to be necessary ingredients in a transition towards low carbon economy. And resilience and low carbon economy seem to be necessary ingredients in transition towards smart, sustainable and inclusive places. The task is complex and involves several themes: land use regulation becomes a powerful tool, when it comes to contributing to CO2-emissions reduction and promoting diversity and alternative energy schemes; compact city planning and sprawl prevention minimize the need of private, motorized transport and help alternative transportation; efficient cities including new public transport schemes, renewable in district heating systems and low carbon waste-, water- and sewerage plans are all tools to reduce CO2-emissions, and at the same time to pursue for sustainable resource management and resilience. Examples considered in the paper cover: urban heat islands prevention, urban green areas planning, urban sprawl and land take limitation, planning of energy efficient neighborhoods planning, energy supply infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, renewable energies, peri-urban agriculture and food supply, water utilities and water management practices, resource efficiency as factor of resilience.