About us
PURPLE was set up in 2004 and brings together regions from across the EU including: Catalunya, Dublin, Flanders, Frankfurt Rhein/Main, Île de France, Mazovia, MHAL (Province of Limburg), Nord Pas de Calais, Regio Randstad, Rhône-Alpes, South East
England, Stockholm, West Midlands.
These regions are working together to maximise the advantages resulting from their location in proximity to large urban areas while minimising adverse impacts on the urban-rural character, landscape and environment that make them distinct and special. Peri-urban regions in Europe are facing over-pressure on their rural areas. The balance between sustainable open space, sustainable agriculture and urban spatial and economic dynamics needs to be re-established. There are opportunities as well as challenges for those living and working in peri-urban regions, which should be reflected in policies and strategies at European, national, regional and local levels and in particular within the new European regulations on rural development and structural funds.
Rural areas cover 80% of the European Union's territory and are home to approximately 25% of its population. We, the urban areas of Europe, have to deal with the other 75% of European citizens, who value rural areas as offering an alternative landscape and quality of life in their highly urbanized society.
The majority of urban areas is facing challenges of social, economic and agricultural change, and at the same time they are the main actors in EU competitiveness. Therefore we want to influence the debate about future EU Policy. We see the necessity for more attention to urban areas and its surrounding countryside.
What is PURPLE doing?
PURPLE is currently working to raise awareness of the specific peri-urban agenda at European, national and regional levels and ensure coherence between the future Single Rural Fund and the new regional development funding programmes 2007- 2013. In the longer term, PURPLE regions wish to share experience and best practice with each other and with other regions, designing and developing partnerships for EU projects. There has been a lack of recognition in European institutions of the need for specific policies or support for peri-urban regions. Yet they constitute the interface between the 75% of EU citizens living in Europe’s urban areas and the adjacent countryside, which is increasingly valued for its local produce and resources, its diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage and quality of life.
Last updated: 30 Oct 2007