Capacity Building Programme
Module 1 – Smart and Sustainable Urban Planning
Urban planning plays a crucial role in shaping sustainable and resilient cities. The way urban areas are planned, governed and developed influences energy consumption, mobility patterns, resource use, and the overall quality of life for citizens. Effective planning therefore becomes a key tool in supporting the clean energy transition and addressing climate challenges.
In this module you will explore the role of smart and sustainable urban planning in the transition towards climate-neutral cities. The module introduces the policy and governance framework at European level, strategic planning approaches, and practical implementation at local level. It also highlights the importance of coordination across governance levels and integrates transversal topics such as climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.
Structure and design of the module
The module is part of the PLENTY-Life Capacity Building Programme, which supports small and medium-sized cities in planning and monitoring clean energy transition strategies. The module 1 “Smart and Sustainable Urban Planning” is divided into four units, each addressing different levels of urban planning (high, intermediate, local, and transversal) ensuring a comprehensive and multi-scalar learning approach:
- Unit 1: High level – Focuses on the European framework, highlighting the role of EU legislation, policies, and research programmes in shaping national urban planning systems and promoting innovation.
- Unit 2: Intermediate level – Introduces strategic urban planning, theories, tools, and best practices, with practical insights from European projects showcasing innovative approaches.
- Unit 3: Local level – Examines land use planning, implementation practices, and assessment methodologies, integrating technical solutions and case studies from real projects.
- Unit 4: Transversal level – Explores governance issues across scales, including horizontal and vertical coordination, and integrates cross-cutting concepts such as mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.
Material and methods provided for the module
The module is designed to be delivered in online seminars (lectures) of 1 hour each, held in English or in the native language by various experts and supported by all project partners.
Attendees of the capacity building program can:
- Enhance knowledge of technical concepts linked to smart and sustainable urban planning;
- Increase awareness of the importance of interrelationship between different administration levels in smart and sustainable urban planning;
- Discuss the role of smart cities in sustainable urban planning;
- Explore the integration of smart technologies into urban planning;
- Acquire valuable insights from real-world applications of research and innovation in urban development from existing European projects;
- Gain information about research and innovation funding programmes, including Horizon Europe, LIFE, Interreg, etc.
Unit 1: High level
Module unit 1 outlines the contextual framework. In particular, the role of EU legislation, policies and discourse in shaping national urban planning systems and the importance of innovation in promoting smart and sustainable practices for urban areas.
The following is a concise list outlining the topics that will be discussed:
You can find the following material in the download section below:
- Presentation slides (English language only)
- Lecture script (English language only)
Alternatively, you can use the pre-recorded video of the lecture.
Unit 2: Intermediate level
Module unit 2 focus on theories, tools and best practices of strategic urban planning and it provides some insights from European projects to showcase innovative approaches.
The following is a concise list outlining the topics that will be discussed:
You can find the following material in the download section below:
- Presentation slides (English language only)
- Lecture script (English language only)
Alternatively, you can use the pre-recorded video of the lecture.
Unit 3: Local level
Module unit 3 focus on theories, tools and best practices of land use planning and it provides some insights from European projects to showcase innovative approaches.
The following is a concise list outlining the topics that will be discussed:
You can find the following material in the download section below:
- Presentation slides (English language only)
- Lecture script (English language only)
Alternatively, you can use the pre-recorded video of the lecture.
Unit 4: Transversal level
Module unit 4 delves into horizontal/vertical governance and other transversal concepts like climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience.
The following is a concise list outlining the topics that will be discussed:
You can find the following material in the download section below:
- Presentation slides (English language only)
- Lecture script (English language only)
Alternatively, you can use the pre-recorded video of the lecture.
Further information
Downloads
- Presentation slides of Unit 1 – High level
- Lecture script of Unit 1 – High level
- Presentation slides of Unit 2 – Intermediate level
- Lecture script of Unit 2 – Intermediate level
- Presentation slides of Unit 3 – Local level
- Lecture script of Unit 3 – Local level
- Presentation slides of Unit 4 – Transversal level
- Lecture script of Unit 4 – Transversal level