In June 2024, partners of Down to Earth gathered to participate in the project’s third study visit in the Neckar-Alb region, in Southern Germany.
ISOCARP Institute
Centre for Urban Excellence
DOWN TO EARTH’s second Study Visit
Our team was in Western Greece to attend to Down to Earth’s second study visit and first Thematic Conference.
Down To Earth Study Visit in Molise, Italy
Study Visit in Molise, Italy
From 11th to 13th September 2023, Down to Earth partners were in the Italian region of Molise for the first Study Visit of the project. Organised by project partner Municipality of Campobasso, we explored how the Municipality and its local partners address the challenges related to the topic of Year 1: “Environmental risks related with depopulation and ageing population in rural areas”.
Notably with European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). Projects in the area are strongly supported by the policy instrument: “Let’s build the future together: new connections for the Campobasso Vast Area Strategy – Strategic Plan for the Campobasso Vast Area”, which will be improved thanks to the exchange of experiences permitted by Down to Earth.
Throughout this 3-day first Study visit, Down to Earth partners discovered how the challenges of depopulation and ageing population are addressed in Campobasso, illustrating possibilities and activities to manage, maintain and improve natural capital, reduce the risk and impact of environmental disasters, while generating economic and social opportunities to attract people to rural areas. Yoann Clouet, Project managers at ISOCARP Institute participated in the visit.
Read the full press release in this link.
Down To Earth project kick-off conference in Santiago de Compostela
Down To Earth Project Launch & Kick-off Conference!
In the last week of June, Down to Earth partners were in Santiago de Compostela for the Inaugural Management meetings and the Public Kick-Off Conference!
Down to Earth – Tackling depopulation challenges to improve environmental resilience in rural areas – kicked off the first conference to the public, highlighting the main challenges faced in many rural areas across Europe, such as land abandonment and climate disasters, but also supporting an economic fabric that allows the agricultural sector to grow sustainably. The project is co-funded by European Union and aims to optimize the utilization of available tools and resources within the participating regions, including Cohesion Policy funds. By doing so, we aspire to promote sustainable development and increase the disaster risk resilience of rural communities across Europe.
The Kick-Off Meeting brought together 8 dedicated partners introduced the various components of the project, and laid out the steps ahead for the coming months. The ISOCARP Institute participated in the Kick-Off Meeting and presented its upcoming contribution to the Communication and dissemination work plan. As the leader of Communication and Dissemination, we presented our strategy to aggregate project results in multimedia dissemination and increase and maintain the visibility of the project to the EU-level public.
Stay tuned for more updates! And check out the Press Release to discover more about the project
Down to Earth – Interregional cooperation for sustainable, resilient and attractive rural areas
ISOCARP INSTITUTE partners in Interreg
Europe project DOWN TO EARTH
We are excited to announce the launch of our new project “DOWN TO EARTH” funded by the Interreg Europe programme. This project aims to lead to a better use of available tools and resources, including Cohesion Policy funds, in the participating regions, ultimately seeking to promote sustainable development and increase the disaster risk resilience of rural communities across Europe.
DOWN-TO-EARTH gathers a group of organisations working on different aspects related to disaster risk reduction and rural development from regions across Europe, who firmly believe that retaining population and encouraging sustainable practices in key sectors is crucial to curb environmental deterioration, and can greatly contribute to risk prevention.
The partnership is composed of 8 partners, and two associated policy authorities, led by Axencia Galega de Desenvolvemento Rural, and will work together to identify and promote win-win solutions to manage, maintain and enhance natural capital to reduce the risk and impact of environmental disasters, while generating economic and social opportunities to attract population to rural areas.
Thanks to mutual learning through interregional exchange of experiences, the capacities of the regional and local authorities as well as relevant stakeholders from the participating rural areas to deal with the identified challenges will be increased.
Or download the document here.
ISOCARP UPAT at Lake Chapala, Mexico
ISOCARP UPAT at Lake Chapala, Mexico
ISOCARP Institute and ISOCARP Society recently helped organize, facilitate, and carry out a UPAT Design Planning Workshop in Chapala, Mexico, on the topic of waterfront urban development. From August 1st to 6th, an international group of ISOCARP members participated in the UPAT, working together to address the various challenges along Chapala’s shoreline and develop comprehensive solutions. Coordinated by former ISOCARP Vice President Paco Perez and sponsored by a group of municipalities and civil society groups from around Lake Chapala, the purpose of the UPAT was to develop a relevant, realistic, and sustainable masterplan with key strategies for managing the lake and its surroundings, helping the area to realize its full potential while celebrating its heritage.
During our time in Mexico, we had the privilege of meeting with an array of political and civil society representatives, including elected officials, municipal representatives, environmental experts, and tourism interest groups. We were also able to tour the expansive lake front, visiting various sites in the surrounding towns. In addition to a breath-taking boat ride and many opportunities throughout the tour to gain a better understanding of what the various areas around the lake have to offer, we also enjoyed a lunch of birrieria and life-changing tortillas, hill-side wine tasting, and a chance to sample the legendary nieves de garrafa (in short, we were not under-fed).
Based on our preliminary research, meetings with stakeholders, and first-hand experiences, we determined the main challenges and perceived opportunities around the lake and then divided these topics between the team to begin brainstorming solutions. After presenting our initial findings on the final day in Mexico, we have now returned home to our respective countries to write the final report, which will then be compiled and translated by our trusted leader, Rolf Schuett. The report will be made available online, and we look forward to sharing our findings with the global community!
We would like to thank the ISOCARP team members Rolf Schuett (team leader), Diana Andrea Giambiagi, Dara Golubovic-Matic, Ric Stephens, and Taliah Dommerholt for their attendance, contributions and highly appreciated ideas. In addition to the ISOCARP team, we could not have been successful without Walter Rast, senior expert of the International Lake Environment Committee (ILEC), and the assistance of the young planning professionals, Esteban Contreras, Deni Hernandez Castaneda, Sebastian Pacheco Velazquez, Ana Karen Pimienta Reynoso, Andres Rodriguez Von Hauske, and Donaji “Mave” Fiallo Zurita.
Call for Experts – ISOCARP UPAT Chapala
Call for Experts - ISOCARP UPAT: GUIDELINE DOCUMENT CHAPALA RIVIERA (MEXICO)
ISOCARP invites experts from a wide range of fields related to waterfront urban development to apply to be part of the ISOCARP Urban Planning Advisory Team – Chapala Lake Shore 2022.
UPAT Chapala: ISOCARP Institute in cooperation with ISOCARP Society will organize, facilitate, and carry out a UPAT from August 1st to 6th in Chapala, Mexico on the topic of waterfront urban development, and addressing the challenges along the Chapala Lake shore.
Date: August 1-6, 2022, Participants must arrive on July the 31st and depart August the 6th afternoon.
Location: Chapala Lake is located in Mexico, 30 miles (48 km) south-southeast of Guadalajara. It is easily accessible by highway from Guadalajara (50min) and Guadalajara´s International Airport (25min).
Site description: Chapala Lake, lies on the Mexican Plateau at 6,000 feet (1,800 metres) above sea level in the states of Jalisco and Michoacán. Chapala is Mexico’s largest lake, measuring approximately 48 miles (77 km) east-west by 10 miles (16 km) northsouth and covering an area of 417 square miles (1,080 square km). Despite its size, the lake is very shallow and is susceptible to infestations of water hyacinth. It is fed principally by the Lerma River from the east and is drained by the Santiago River, which flows out of its northeastern side. The lake is surrounded by many mountains and sierras and contains three small island.
Lake´s problems: The city of Guadalajara has relied on Chapala Lake as a principal source of water since the 1950s. Shortly after, a few consecutive years of poor rainfall dramatically decreased the water level of the lake. The level rebounded until 1979, when Chapala Lake’s water level began rapidly decreasing due to increases in urban water consumption.
Erosion due to deforestation along the lake as well as the Lerma River has led to increased sedimentation of the lake, also contributing to loss of lake depth. The shrinking depth has also raised the lake’s average temperature, resulting in increased evaporation.
Simultaneously, the waters of Chapala Lake are polluted by municipal, industrial and agricultural wastes, coming primarily from the Lerma River. The increased presence of nutrients from the pollution combined with the warmer water has been a boon to an invasive species of water hyacinth.
The increase in water pollution has had devastating effects on the ecology of the lake. Fish stock has decreased dramatically and some endemic species are on the verge of extinction. Contaminated fish stock has also posed a serious threat to the health and livelihoods of people who depend on the fish for food.
The drop in the lake’s water level has uncovered political issues that had been hidden for many years. Its fast decay has raised concern in the surrounding areas and in the scientific community.
Lake´s potential: The scenic setting, pleasant climate, picturesque villages dotting the shores, thermal waters SPAs, local folklore and good fishing, make the lake a popular resort and, increasingly by the late 20th century, an important retirement center for U.S. and Canada citizens
Promoting entity: This UPAT is promoted by a group of municipalities around Chapala Riviera together with civil society sponsors. Former ISOCARP Vice President Paco Perez will be in charge of local coordination.
UPAT purpose: There is a complex set of government plans and programs in all sort of maters upon Chapala lake and the urban settlements around its shore. There is also a number of civil society and NGO´s initiatives. Nevertheless, there is not a comprehensive view and strategic approach to lead the prosperous development
of Chapala Riviera in a wide scope and long term perspective.
The purpose of having an ISOCARP UPAT is to launch a process of comprehensive regional planning and management of Chapala Riviera. The UPAT report will be the basis to further prepare a Regional Urban Plan, which is to be approved by all concerned authorities and looked out by society to secure continuity between public administration changes.
UPAT Objective The UPAT objective is to develop this comprehensive view and strategic approach in the shape of a preliminary Masterplan of the Chapala Riviera in order to:
- Have a qualified opinion on how to order the territory and how to take advantage of the potential of the lake´s riviera.
- Shape this opinion in a big vision approach, with a long term scope, but with sort term strategic actions.
- Have a convincing document to promote the initiative before third parties
UPAT Content
1. Urban mobility.
Problem: Vehicular traffic collapsed.
Proposals expected, in general terms about:
– Vehicular traffic [Local traffic, Through traffic]– Pedestrian traffic.
– Bicycle traffic.
– Public transport.
– Public water transport (possibility in the future?)
2. Sewage.
Problem: Contamination with sewage due to lack of treatment and/or lack of operation of existing treatment plants, due to inadequate systems or lack of resources to pay for their operation.
Proposals expected, in general terms about:
– More efficient, simple and economical alternative sewage treatment systems.
– Alternative management systems for the use, treatment and reuse of water.
– Other.
3. Basic infrastructure and services.
Problem: Even when Chapala Lake is an important touristic area, basic infrastructure and services are not quite at the required level.
Proposals expected, in general terms about:
– Priorities in provision of basic infrastructure.
– Health services.
– Digital connectivity.
4. Lake shore.
Problem: The reduction of the lake water level, has left in some areas, an important amount of land uncovered by water. Despite this is public land, it is being invaded with
incompatible uses.
Proposals expected, in general terms about:
– Use and treatment of these areas:
Public use such as: Green areas, public spaces, sport courts areas?
Infrastructure? Urban facilities? Public services? Strategic sites? Private tourist use? Private agricultural use? Vehicle use? Other uses?
5. Agriculture.
Problem:
– Intensive use of water in berry crops competing with urban water needs.
– Deterioration of the landscape with the plastic covers of the berry crops.
Proposals expected, in general terms about:
– Mitigation of impacts to water.
– Mitigation of impacts to landscape.
6. Land uses.
Problem: Land uses are the result of historical growth inertia and it is considered that the Lake Shore potential is not being adequately exploited.
Proposals expected, in general terms about:
– Optimal areas for tourism. Regional tourism. Retired people. International tourism. Other.
– Optimal areas for agriculture.
– Optimal areas for urban facilities and public services.
– Optimal sites for the location of strategic facilities such as: education,
auditoriums, areas for exhibitions and congresses, etc.
– Other.
7. Urban regulation.
Problem: In recent years, urban growth in some municipalities around the lake, has been somewhat disorderly and there is no clarity on the priority aspects to be regulated, in order to achieve a convenient urban development
Proposals expected, in general terms about:
– Land uses.
– Densities.
– Building heights.
– Panoramic views.
– Roof treatment.
– Others.
8. Urban Management.
Problem: There is no adequate coordination between the municipalities around the lake and it is considered that a coordinated management mechanism would be very beneficial for lake´s promotion and development.
Proposals expected, in general terms about:
– Intergovernmental coordination.
– Financing of public works and services.
– Shared management with the concurrence of the government, productive sectors
and society.
– Strategic projects for:
▪ Providing infrastructure, urban facilities and key services for social and
economic development, such as: education, auditoriums, exhibition and
congress areas, etc.
▪ Taking advantage of untapped potential.
▪ Trigger the development of less developed areas.
▪ Protect and/or improve the environment.
Areas of expertise required.
• Lake front urban development.
• Water optimal use, sewerage treatment and water reuse.
• Urban mobility.
• Touristic development.
• Urban regulation, financing and management.
(Someone with experience in managing landscape disturbance by agricultural plastic covers will be very helpful).
Information.
There is a good amount of information available about all issues to be addressed. An executive synthesis is going to be sent to team members once selected.
Language.
The UPAT language will be English and fluency is required. Each team member will have the help of a local student, also fluent in English, to develop technical work and translation.
UPAT program / July the 31st – August the 6th
Sunday 31: Team members arrival and UPAT kick off dinner.
Monday 1: Field trip around Chapala Riviera and visit to strategic areas.
Tuesday 2: Technical presentations from municipal authorities and NGO´s / Information analysis.
Wednesday 3: Diagnosis.
Thursday 4: Alternative analysis and municipal authorities feedback.
Friday 5: Proposal preparation.
Saturday 6: Proposal presentation and end of UPAT lunch.
Deliverables.
In spite of the scale and complexity of the UPAT topic and mayors expectations of the outcome quality, this so called Masterplan is to be developed in a short term basis as a conceptual approach.
At the end of the UPAT week in site, the proposal will be presented in Power Point (or the like) and four weeks later, the team leader will deliver a document in English with the proposed Master Plan.
Expenses.
The promoting entity will pay for all team members:
- Round tourist class air fare.
- Local transportation.
- Accommodation.
- Meals.
Additional information:
For more information about this call, please contact Taliah Dommerholt mail: dommerholt@isocarp-institute.org
The Call for Experts will remain open till May 31st, 2022. Applications submitted after 23:59 on May 31st, 2022 will not be accepted.
Urban Design Charrette Weifang China
Urban Design Charrette in Weifang (China)
August 3, 2021
Urban Design Charrette in Weifang China
The Design Planning Workshop occurred from 4th to 10th July 2021. ISOCARP Institute selected a team of 5 (five) international member-experts to visit Weifang and work together with SEU team of planners, designers and students, and to achieve high-level results aimed to be published in China and abroad in 2021.
SEU invited ISOCARP Institute to select a team of experts that assisted the team from SEU in the organization of the design, contributed to knowledge on urban design of the International City of Peace of Weifang through an urban design workshop.
While the organization team and technical experts of SEU coordinated the workshop organization in Weifang with the international experts, including the Chinese technical experts, the involvement of the Chinese students of the SEU, the accommodation, and on-site activities, the ISOCARP expert team attended and visited the site with the local experts, worked and created urban design solutions for the City of Weifang, delivering innovative urban solutions and urban visions for the Weifang international centre of Peace.
Together with the SEU team, the ISOCARP international experts developed design goals for the Ledaoyuan historical and cultural area, such as building the Ledaoyuan historical and cultural area into an Asian pivot for international humanitarianism and improve the international humanitarian network, reshaping the historical features of Ledaoyuan, promoting the overall coordination of the Ledaoyuan historical and cultural area and its surrounding area, and realizing the harmonious coexistence of history and existing.
The international team successfully developed a renewal design and implementation path for the Ledaoyuan historical and cultural area that can be implemented. The findings were presented to the City of Weifang on the last day of the workshop, together with urban design solutions and recommendations.
We thank the ISOCARP team members Björn von Randow, Alex Camprubi, Christian Nolf, Thomas Fritzsche and Christian Hartmann for their attendance, contributions and highly appreciated ideas.
Click here to download and read the final report of the workshop.
Recap of UTC Urban Lab Session “Championing Local Green Deals”
Recap of Urban Lab Session “Championing Local Green Deals”
July 21, 2021
ISOCARP Institute has organised and coordinated the Urban Lab Session “Championing Local Green Deals”, as part of the Urban Thinker Campus “A Local Green Deal” organised by the city of Mannehim (Germany). The session took place online on Friday 16th July 2021.
Through the European Green Deals, the European Union has set the ambitious target of becoming the first carbon-neutral continent by 2050. The European Green Deal includes various actions, measures and tools in nine policy areas (such as clean energy, sustainable mobility, biodiversity, etc.). However, it is crucial to transform the direction given by the Green Deal into local actionable projects and concrete interventions. The session collected and discussed valuable practices and experiences in the implementation of Local Green Deals.
In his keynote presentation, Martin Knuijt (OKRA) reflected on how to design healthier and resilient cities. By presenting some of his work in different urban contexts, he emphasized the importance of preserving biodiversity, connecting places to increase social cohesion, and designing adaptive infrastructure, especially when it comes to water management. This is only possible through integrated and holistic solutions, able to meet citizens’ needs and generate their enthusiasm.
Afterwards, the session continued with a series of contributors from city representatives and experts from different background. Elsa Durieux (ICLEI) framed the discussion around the European Green Deals as new approach to accelerate and scale-up cities’ sustainability ambitions, discussing the main challenges and barriers; she also introduced the Local Green Deals Blueprint for Action. Nicolas Gharbi (city of Madrid) presented the case of the metropolitan forest of Madrid, the flagship project for the recovery plan of the city; the forest will be a 75 km ring infrastructure connecting existing green spaces around Madrid. Valentina D’Alonzo (EURAC) gave an overview of H2020 project VARCITIES, and its holistic approach in developing visionary solutions which link nature-based solutions, urban health, public spaces and smart cities. Elisa Torricelli (city of Milan) brought the experience of the city of Milan, showing the work of the Environmental Transition Department in developing local plans and initiatives to increase urban resilience.
Beside inviting some speakers, ISOCARP Institute opened a Call for Contributors to collect experiences from different countries and to ensure a truly international perspective. Sevval Cavusoglu brought her experience from Turkey and reminded the importance of decision support systems for low-carbon city projects. Bhagyashri Kulkarni reflected on bottom-up and participatory practices to manage green public spaces in collaboration with citizens, beyond traditional public-private partnerships. Joana Bispo introduced the Sustainable Development Strategy of the city of Teresina (Brasil) and presented some specific projects, highlighting also the monitoring of SDGs at the local level.
Milena Ivkovic moderated the last part of the session, with questions and answers and the closing remarks.
Speakers, Contributors and presentations
Keynote Speaker
Martin Knuijt – OKRA
Topic: Adaptive urban design
Joana Bispo– City of Teresina (Brazil)
Topic: Teresina 2030 – Sustainable Development Strategy of the Municipality of Teresina
Valentina D’Alonzo – EURAC and VARCITIES
Topic: VARCITIES – Visionary Nature-based Actions for Health, Well-Being and Resilience in Cities
Bhagyashri Kulkarni – Architect, Urban Designer (India)
Sevval Cavusoglu– Urban Planner and Junior Expert (Turkey)
Programme
- 09.30 – 09.35
Introduction | ISOCARP Institute - 09.35 – 09.50
Keynote speaker presentation | Martin Knuijt, OKRA - 09.50 – 10.40
Call for Contributors: share your story!
Elsa Durieux, ICLEI
Nicolas Gharbi, Municipality of Madrid
Joana Bispo, Municipality of Teresina
Valentina D’Alonzo, EURAC & VARCITIES project
Bhagyshri Kulkarni, architect and urban designer (India)
Sevval Cavusoglu, urban planner (Turkey)
Elisa Torricelli, Municipality of Milan - 10.45 – 10.55
Discussion | Local actions for Green Deals
Moderated by Milena Ivkovic - 10.55 – 11.00
Recap and closing | ISOCARP Institute
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or proposals for upcoming sessions.
Urban Lab Session “Championing Local Green Deals” (16th July 2021)
Urban Lab 1 “Championing Local Green Deals”
July 16, 2021
The Urban Lab Session “Championing Local Green Deals” will take place online on 16th July, 9.30-11.00 CEST. The event is coordinated by ISOCARP Institute and it is part of the 3-day Urban Thinker Campus “A Local Green Deal”, organised by Studieninstitut Rhein-Neckar (Mannheim, Germany).
Through the European Green Deal, the European Union has set the ambitious target of becoming the first carbon-neutral continent by 2050. The European Green Deal includes various actions, measures and tools in nine policy areas (such as clean energy, sustainable mobility, biodiversity, etc.). However, it is crucial to transform the direction given by the Green Deal into local actionable projects and concrete interventions. Following Mannheim’s input and effort to develop a Local Green Deal Mannheim, this Urban Lab Session will collect and discuss valuable practices and experiences in the implementation of Local Green Deals.
NOTE: You will register on the official website of the UTC Mannheim and you will receive a confirmation e-mail from the organising team. The link to our session (URBAN LAB 1) will be available on the day itself on the official website.
The livestream of the event will be available here.
This Urban Lab Session aims at reflecting on actionable and short-term interventions which foster the implementation of Local Green Deals. The programme will start with brief presentations to inspire the audience and provide exemplary experiences and approaches at different urban scales and from different contexts. Moreover, ISOCARP Institute is launching a Call for Contributors, where city representatives, practitioners, industry partners or community members can share their stories and suggest possible solutions.
The session is intended to be as interactive as possible. Speakers will answer questions and will discuss with the participants.
Programme
- 09.30 – 09.35
Introduction | ISOCARP Institute - 09.35 – 09.50
Keynote speaker presentation | Martin Knuijt, OKRA - 09.50 – 10.40
Call for Contributors: share your story!
Elsa Durieux, ICLEI
Nicolas Gharbi, Municipality of Madrid
Joana Bispo, Municipality of Teresina
Valentina D’Alonzo, EURAC & VARCITIES project
Bhagyshri Kulkarni, architect and urban designer (India)
Sevval Cavusoglu, urban planner (Turkey)
Elisa Torricelli, Municipality of Milan - 10.45 – 10.55
Discussion | Local actions for Green Deals
Moderated by Milena Ivkovic - 10.55 – 11.00
Recap and closing | ISOCARP Institute
* Since we are receving many contributions, we have slightly adapted the schedule of the session. Instead of having a working group in the second part, we would like to leave the floor to our contributors. For this reason, the planned working group will be replaced by a shorted plenary discussion. Participants are welcome to ask question and actively participate in the debate.
Call for contributors!
Are you a city representative or a practitioner and would like to present your projects on implementing Local Green Deals? Are you an industry partner who has been working on new solutions/products? Or are you a member of a community who would like to share your experience on sustainable actions? Then we would like to listen to your story! You are invited to submit initiavies, actions, strategies and proposals and discuss them during our Urban Session Lab.
Would you like to contribute but you cannot attend the session? No problem! Contact us and submit a short recorded video. We will be happy to share it.
For any questions or further information regarding the Urban Lab Session, please contact Federico Aili (aili@isocarp-institute.org).