RUnUP Thematic Network Closing ConferenceTransnational RUnUP Experiences and Network Conclusions

Dr Clive Winters, Assistant Director, Coventry University Enterprises Ltd and Lead Expert URBACT II Network, RUnUP

RUnUP Phase 2 Objectives1. Developing and Implementing exchange and learning activities on

sustainable urban policies with a focus on the project topic Study Visit Programme Network Thematic Events Best Practice Case Studies Inter ULSG Reviews

2. Fostering the impact of project activities on local policies Urbact Local Support Group Local Action Plan

3. Implementation of the capitalisation process at programme level Annual Conference (Montpellier, Stockholm, Liege) Hot Topic Articles Study on the Economic Crisis

4. Ensuring project co-ordination and management

5. Developing and implementing communication on and dissemination of the project’s activities and outputs

1. Developing and Implementing exchange and learning activities on sustainable urban policies

Exchange and Learning Activities (1)

› Study Visits: 3 cities were visited as part of the network activity The City of Tampere in Finland was visited between the 13th and 14th

October 2009– Tampere is located in the southern part of central Finland, some 170 km northwest of

Helsinki. The City of Tampere has about 200,000 inhabitants and the size of the whole urban region is around 300,000. It is the second biggest urban concentration after the Helsinki region and the biggest inland city in the Nordic countries

The City of Enschede in the Netherlands was visited between the 24th and 25th of March 2010– Enschede is a municipality and a city in the eastern Netherlands in the province of

Overijssel and in the Twente region. In the 1970s textile production came to a halt, due to fierce competition from mainly the Far East. Enschede became one of the poorest municipalities in the Netherlands and (de facto) went bankrupt.

The City of Coventry was visited between the 25th and 26th May 2010.– Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England.

Coventry's motor industry boomed during the 1950s and 1960s and Coventry enjoyed a 'golden age'. The 1970s, however, saw a decline in the British motor industry and Coventry suffered badly. By the early 1980s, Coventry had one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.

Exchange and Learning Activities (2)

› Study Visits: The importance of City and University History Enschede / Twente

– A key driver for the city was the development of the University in Twente. At the University of Twente (UT) there has been an active support for business development from the early 1980’s; for graduates entering the entrepreneurial path, start-up companies using University of Twente knowledge, and innovative, small and large regionally, nationally and internationally operating companies.

Tampere– The founding of the Tampere University of Technology was one of the steps of the city

and the local business life in bringing higher education to the region. The university was founded in 1965 as a branch of Helsinki University of Technology and became an independent university in 1972. The University has grown to become a significant influence on technology in Finland and abroad.

Coventry– The evolution of the city as a major industrial centre that led to the formation of local

colleges of technology in both Coventry and Rugby linked directly to the needs of local companies. Subsequently these colleges merged and in 1970 were recognised with ‘polytechnic’ status and subsequently in the early 1990s became a University.

Our study visit cities show that historically cities and their business leaders have driven the establishment and location of a university in its urban area and inherently have a strong strategic relationship as a result.

Exchange and Learning Activities (3)

› Study Visits: Societal Impact Enschede / Twente

– The University of Twente places great emphasis on the useful application of knowledge in society. Patents, life-long learning programmes, and spin-off companies testify to this commitment, as does the university's intensive involvement in research programmes that enhance knowledge infrastructure in the Netherlands. So far it has produced 600 spin-off companies; more than any other Dutch university.

Tampere– The societal impact of Tampere University of Technology is based on its principal tasks;

research and education. The University is a sought-after cooperation partner in industrial research and development projects and a strong generator of innovations and as new research- and knowledge-based companies. Its graduates provide a valued workforce in industry, business life and other facets of society.

Coventry– Coventry’s success as a business facing university is based in part around the

development and implementation of key structures, including the University Business Development Group, Coventry University Enterprises, Applied Research Institutes and the University Employer Engagement Company ACUA.

Our study visit cities show that in order to achieve appropriate levels of engagement and synergy that on the part of universities there needs to be not only recognition within the mission statement of the institution but also supporting structures that can enhance linkages with the wider civil society.

Exchange and Learning Activities (4)

› Study Visits: Infrastructure Investments Enschede / Twente

– The Twente Business and Science Park was developed in 1989. The park is a high value industrial park for knowledge intensive companies, businesses that specialise in services, as well as for the University of Twente that is directly adjacent the park. The park measures 40 hectares and is situated on the edge of Enschede, between the two largest cities of the region of Twente, Enschede and Hengelo.

Tampere– Capital infrastructure investment has been a key component of the development of

Tampere. In particular developments at the Universities and Polytechnics and Science & Technology park has been critical.

Coventry– Through its Research Institutes, the University provides high quality buildings and

facilities to support staff and partners undertaking applied research activities. The aim of each institute is to create an environment which supports a unique combination of commercial activity and academic research.

The development of infrastructure and the subsequent roll out of innovation services provides a crucial dimension in enhancing the knowledge transfer process. The issues of knowledge proximity and of knowledge translation are ones that can be delivered through the availability of key infrastructure and appropriate knowledge intermediaries.

Exchange and Learning Activities (5)

› Thematic Network Events The first RUnUP thematic network event held in the project partner city of Águeda, Portugal

on 24 June 2009 – The event’s theme was “Triple Helix: A Local Development Engine”, and was aimed at

analysing good practice in Portugal and also in other European countries.

The second RUnUP thematic network event held in the partner city of Potsdam in Germany in February 2010. – The event’s theme was ‘Knowledge City Marketing in economic development aimed at

analysing good practice in Potsdam and Germany specifically relating to science and knowledge marketing.

The third and final RUnUP thematic network event held in the partner city of Barakaldo in Spain in June 2010. – The event was focussed on local strategies for talent attraction and retention drawing on

the experience from Barakaldo and the Basque Country

Visit the Urbact RUnUP minisite at www.urbact.eu/runup for the full study visit reports, thematic events and other exchange and learning activity outcome reports.

2. Fostering the impact of project activities on local policies

URBACT Local Support Groups (1)› The Involvement of relevant partners at local level is a core

component of the URBACT II methodology for enhancing urban sustainable development policies

In order to allow for an effective impact of network activities on local policies, each partner in a thematic network will set up an URBACT Local Support Group

The URBACT Local Support Groups will gather the local key stakeholders concerned by the issues addressed within the network and by the city’s Local Action Plan to be developed.

Act as project champions and help to mobilise the political and institutional support required to ensure that the Local Action Plan leads to real change.

› ULSG Key Actions

Input to and/or validate the baseline study Take part in the design and follow up of the Local Action Plan Take part in exchange activities through meetings and online contact Test or pilot recommendations through the Local Action Plan Act as local project champions and lobby for changes

URBACT Local Support Groups (2)› Mobilisation and Validation Good Practice

The work of Gateshead, Barakaldo, Agueda and Patras specifically is good practice in relation to mobilisation and validation

– The Gateshead ULSG has now been formalised as sub group of the Economy, Skills, Housing and Transport partnership of the local authority.

– The approach of Barakaldo in engaging the ULSG and in particular its sub-groups to work on economic priorities and innovation represents a particularly strong approach to supporting this ULSG objective.

– The approach of Agueda in establishing a working group which formalised the Triple Helix development and strengthened the relationships leading to the development of parallel joint projects.

– In Patras the formalisation of the ULSG through a formal Memorandum of Understanding between the members of the ULSG

– In Leszno the formalisation of the ULSG through a formal Memorandum of Understanding between the members of the ULSG

URBACT Local Support Groups (3)› Local Action Plan Development Good Practice

The role of the ULSG in acting as project champions and testing and piloting recommendations is important

– In this context both the cities of Gateshead and Dunkerque have initiated pilot actions that will be an integral part of the respective local action plans.

› Promotion and Dissemination Good Practice The cities of Potsdam, Dunkerque and Solna have provided particularly strong leadership

in this field.

– In Potsdam a survey of local enterprises and scientific institutions provided for a strong initial engagement and this was further supported and enhanced through a study seminar and exhibition that took place in addition to the RUnUP thematic event that took place in February 2009.

– Similarly in Dunkerque the promotion of activities at thematic seminars and masterclasses has been strong including the Forum de l’innovation, Forum Facil and Semaine de l’innovation.

– In Solna the ULSG was initiated during the development phase and started their work in the implementation phase by inviting Life Science companies active in the Stockholm region to a breakfast meeting.

Local Action Plan Development (1)› Local Action Plan Development

Alongside the development of Local Support Groups a key feature of the URBACT II programme is the development of Local Action Plans

Provide the city with a concrete roadmap and range of solutions to tackle the problem identified at the start of the Network

All RUnUP network partners have established a Local Action Plan for their City

› Political Engagement Each of the Local Action Plans has strong political and/or university endorsement with the

mayor and/or other senior figures introducing the LAP and the approval from the local ULSG

› Links to Existing Strategies and Sector Priorities Each of the action plans developed by the RUnUP partners has a strong foundation linked

to established city, regional and national priorities. Through the delivery of the work package tasks of RUnUP they have a strong focus on the economic transformation being delivered within the City.

Local Action Plan Development (2)› The Role of Universities and Strategic Stakeholders

Each of the Local Action Plans has strong political and/or university endorsement with the mayor and/or other senior figures introducing the LAP and the approval from the local ULSG

› The Role of the ULSG in LAP Development Each of the Local Action Plans has been developed in strong collaboration with the Urbact

Local Support Group and in specific cases has involved the work of working groups and sub groups of the ULSG .

ULSG members have also been engaged in study visits and thematic events

› Range of Actions Each of the Local Action Plans provides a structured range of actions identified by theme

with funding details and a full description of the development activity. Continuation of the ULSG has been included as a key action in most of the Local Action Plans.

3. Network Conclusions

Network Conclusions

› The URBACT methodology offers a unique transnational project opportunity: Use of the development phase and the baseline study, implementation phase application

enhances the project development process The core components of the methodology; the Local Support Groups and Local Action

Plans drive an agenda for change at a local level The transnational activities offer new insights for project partners into new approaches and

ways of thinking

Consideration needs to be given to the support required in ULSG mobilisation (the ULSG Guide and Summer School addresses this for post round 1 projects)

Consideration should be given to enhancing the budget available to all partners as this restricts the level of ULSG mobilisation and development of activity

Consideration should be given to a maximum project implementation phase of 2 years to maintain the emphasis and commitment of the project partners

Network Conclusions

› The emphasis is on the city to make the opportunity of URBACT support a platform for the development of local activity This is more than a project, this is more than delivering contracted deliverables. This is about implementing structures and approaches that last beyond the lifetime of

RUnUP and can be used not only in exploring the role of Universities in our cities but in other development areas.

Critical to the successful engagement of Universities in our local economies is the need to drive real and effective change. Having a ‘real catalyst for change’ is key to the development of university activity in our cities.

The Local Authorities engaged in RUnUP need to continue an open dialogue with their local universities. Not all the project partners took the opportunity to engage fully their local universities and other stakeholders in RUnUP and this need to be addressed for the successful implementation of the action plans in each City.

The action plans present an initial starting, a platform for development that should be used by the project partners and their local stakeholders for enhancing their relationships and developing more detailed and comprehensive actions of a larger scale.

RUnUP Phase 2 Objectives1. Developing and Implementing exchange and learning activities on sustainable

urban policies with a focus on the project topic Study Visit Programme Network Thematic Events Best practice Case Studies Inter ULSG Reviews

2. Fostering the impact of project activities on local policies URBACT Local Support Group Local Action Plan

3. Implementation of the capitalisation process at programme level Annual Conference (Montpellier, Stockholm, Liege) Hot Topic Articles Study on the Economic Crisis

4. Ensuring project co-ordination and management

5. Developing and implementing communication on and dissemination of the project’s activities and outputs

RUnUP Thematic Network Closing ConferenceTransnational RUnUP Experiences and Network Conclusions

Dr Clive Winters, Assistant Director, Coventry University Enterprises Ltd and Lead Expert URBACT II Network, RUnUP