Background information

In the zones of urban concentration the built up areas are rapidly expanding with increasing environmental pressures due to traffic, urban growth and intensive agricultural use of the land. The amount of open space is diminishing and the quality of the environment, of biodiversity and landscape is under serious threat.

Open space is not simply the opposite of urbanised areas, but instead the two are closely interwoven. The urban lifestyle is no longer restricted to cities but dominates life in rural areas as well.

 

Urbanisation

Further urbanisation of open space should be considered very carefully, and should be subject to an integrated planning process, to guarantee that enough high quality open space is maintained.

In fact, there cannot be a sustainable urban development in densely populated regions without appropriate policies on sustainable open space. More attention needs to be paid in Europe to the management of peri-urban open space, as urban encroachment and land use dynamics pose serious environmental and specific spatial development problems in these areas.

Sectoral and regional policy

The CAP has two pillars in its policy: agricultural and rural development. The agriculture sector has to go through major restructuring towards sustainable production, international competitiveness, food safety, traceability and product quality. Europe's urbanised regions need to ensure that enough space is available for food production and for sufficient quality of life for their citizens. It is at regional level that an integrated view can be defined.

 

 

Spring in Stockholm.
Photo: Lars Nyberg