The service shall support decision-making related to the urban-rural transport connectivity challenges facing non-metropolitan regions limiting their access to essential services, business and employment opportunities. The aim of the project is to improve transport policy and systems related to connectivity by engaging the participating stakeholders in knowledge transfer activities, developing networks of information exchange and advancing understanding of flexible and sustainable urban-rural mobility and accessibility.

In 2018 the ESPON EGTC will tender 6 applied research activities:

Brussels, 6 February 2018 – The aim of the conference is to share and discuss the benefits of enabling spatial planning in functional urban areas. 

The service shall contribute to 1) enhancing the use of Big Data in supporting policy with up-to-date information relevant for territorial analysis and to 2) explore spatial patterns and dynamics of housing in European cities using Big Data. 

The service shall develop a step-by-step methodology describing how to determine the ex-post impact of any cross-border cooperation (CBC) programme on the territorial development of the border regions.

The service shall contribute to evidence-based, coherent and transparent decision-making in EU Member States considering land-sea interactions in the development of national maritime spatial plans. It shall develop a methodology to explore land-sea links, including the coastal interface. All EU sectoral policies affecting seas, islands, coastal regions and maritime sectors need to be taken into account in the analytical process.

The service shall contribute to enhancing integrated policy development in the European growth corridors through a better understanding of spatial dynamics and interactions in these specific areas.

"Without the evidence provided by a programme like ESPON, we could make the mistake of choosing the wrong priorities and jeopardising Europe's future." With these words, the President of the Committee of the Regions Karl-Heinz Lambertz opened the ESPON conference that marked 15 years of efforts to support policy making with territorial evidence.

Brussels, 25 January 2018 – The aim of the expert workshop is to discuss the ESPON policy brief with relevant stakeholders, experts on indicators and evaluation methodologies. The ESPON policy brief will give an insight on how to link integrated investments with the impact on the development in the territory across sectors.