During the duration of the project (01.01.2018-30.06.2021) TRANS-URBAN-EU-CHINA fulfilled all objectives by conducting the following activities:
1. An internal Concept Group developed a common understanding of the main con-cepts and terms used in the project and defined the socially integrative city. This was especially useful because of the different cultural backgrounds of partners and the differences in the use of terms and concepts in both parts of the world.
2. A book with the title “Towards Socially Integrative Cities – Perspectives of Sustaina-ble Urbanisation in Europe and China” was elaborated. It shares original research results of the project. The book brings results of the project together. It consists of 15 chapters, written by joint European-Chinese teams.
3. All planned reports were submitted to the European Commission. They are stand-alone texts. They served as inputs for the book and other products, such as the elaboration of a compendium and policy briefs.
4. A compendium of tools for the transition towards socially integrative cities was elaborated. It comprises the definition of socially integrative cities, thirty tested tools which have proven to be useful in a number of cities in Europe and China, good practice examples, and further references for reading.
5. Policy briefs as well as guidelines for cities, storylines and recommendations regard-ing the transition towards socially integrative cities were elaborated. They propose a number of practical suggestions for strengthening urban sustainability. They have been discussed with experts from practice, academia and the civil society in both parts of the world.
The topics which are covered by the products of the project, are related to the following subjects:
a) Community building and place-making in neighbourhoods: Research results include an overview over good practice examples in Europe and China, and a glossary of significant examples related to urban design approaches that can contribute to cre-ating socially integrative neighbourhoods and cities, as well as related recommenda-tions regarding applicable tools for creating socially integrative neighbourhoods.
b) Bridging the planning-implementation gap in eco- and smart cities: Research results give insights into good practice and success factors for the development of strate-gies for sustainable cities in China and Europe. Special reference is made to transi-tion and transformative capacity. Recommendations are summarised in a Policy Brief.
c) Land use planning and land management: Research contributes to increasing the knowledge about the current trends of urban renewal, urban expansion, and land management in China and Europe. The socially integrated city and its features as de-fined by the project, are especially addressed. A Policy Brief addresses Chinese ur-ban policies and decision-makers.
d) Integrated transition pathways towards sustainable urban planning and governance: Among other things, research dealt with developing information about pathways towards socially integrative cities, the internalisation of external costs of urban de-velopment and the digitalisation of urban development processes, including evi-dence-based decision-making and the digital communication in local communities.
e) Urban Living Labs and feedback between cities and researchers: Results include conclusions regarding the applicability of the Urban Living Lab approach in Europe and China, based on related activities in Chinese cities, such as Wuhan, Chengdu, Jingdezhen, Tianjin and Xiong’an. Moreover, cities in Europe and China were moti-vated to participate in the discussion about project results.
The management of the project, including the preparation of cross cutting results, was smooth, even in turbulent times during the Covid-19 crisis. Monthly web meetings guaranteed constant information exchange and cooperation. Thus, all expected results could be achieved.
