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Combining horizontal and vertical integration

There are many different interpretations and meanings attached to the integrated approach. These include balancing environmental quality, social cohesion and economic compeitiveness, bringing together all relevant departments to address a challenge, complementing ‘hard’ investments with ‘soft’ investments, and combining European Social Fund with European Regional Development Fund. URBACT II has pioneered integrated approaches to policy challenges as diverse as Roma inclusion and the regeneration of historic city centres. Maybe it is better to acknowledge that there are many integrated approaches, each adapted to specific policy aims. To compound the confusion, the word integration is often used in policy debates alongside holistic approaches and joined-up government to describe a process in which people with different professional backgrounds from different parts of government at all levels are engaged together in a common task. Not to mention the specific use of the term integration in relation to migrants.

Data Driven Cities

Big data and open data are buzz concepts in urban governance. But what do they mean? Where is the current good practice? And how can cities get smarter in using both their own data and data sourced elsewhere? This issue is a regular feature for debate on new forms of public sector governance. By Sally Kneeshaw, URBACT Thematic Expert

The case of Urban Food Systems

Against the backdrop of climate change, cities are facing increasing environmental challenges that threaten the quality of life and opportunities that urban environments can offer to their residents. Urban food systems can provide methods to help cities to tackle low carbon and resource efficiency through integrated sustainable urban regeneration.

Communication Channels for the City: Old Formulas Revisited and New Paths

Integrated city branding is not about logos & campaigns, but building up unifying and updated narratives of the contemporary city. That´s in essence the brand concept when applied to cities and places...

What are Integrated Territorial Investments?

An Integrated Territorial Investment (ITI) is an instrument which provides for integrated delivery arrangements for investments under more than one priority axes of one or more operational programmes. Funding from several priority axes and programmes can be bundled into an integrated investment strategy for a certain territory or functional area. This can take the form of an integrated strategy for urban development, but also for inter-municipal cooperation in specific territories. It allows the managing authorities to delegate the implementation of parts of different priority axes to one body (a local authority) to ensure that investments are undertaken in a complementary manner. Within an ITI some components can be undertaken through community led development combining the two approaches.

On the front line: Food, cities and integrated urban development

When did food become so important? 

In the TV series Mad Men, there’s a great moment set in the early 60s. In this episode, Don Draper—central advertising character—notices that the Beatles seem to be everywhere, even encroaching on the world of advertising. With a puzzled look on his face, he asks his junior staff members, “When did music become so important?”