Objective To examine the way technical networks are managed and how changes in their management could contribute to achieving greater sustainability in European urban regions. By comparing utility services for energy, water, sewage and solid waste in selected regions, and by focusing on drinking water and sewage management in different urban settings, the project aims to identify factors which assist or inhibit the implementation of more sustainable practices. OBJECTIVES : To examine the way technical networks are managed and how changes in their management could contribute to achieving greater sustainability in European urban regions. By comparing utility services for energy, water, sewage and solid waste in selected regions, and by focusing on drinking water and sewage management in different urban settings, the project aims to identify factors which assist or inhibit the implementation of more sustainable practices. DESCRIPTION : The research project focuses on four key issues : i) the changing context of utility services; in particular how growing demands for environmental sustainability, economic efficiency, social equity and public participation are currently met by conventional forms of infrastructure management; ii) the underlying assumptions and overall "logics" driving infrastructure management. Through the analysis of institutional structures, legal responsibilities and the processes of planning, decision-making and implementation the research determines the forces and logics shaping infrastructure provision; iii) the contribution of technical networks to sustainable urban and regional development. The research assesses the potential of technical networks as instruments of sustainable flow management; iv) the transferability of knowledge and experience. Through the comparative study the research draws conclusions on the criteria affecting transnational and transregional knowledge transfer, the applicability of the findings for European urban regions in general and the relevance of both to EU environmental policy. These issues are explored through comparative studies of utility services in selected regions of Germany, the UK, Denmark and Greece. Detailed analysis is provided of the management of drinking water provision and sewage treatment in selected settlement types within regions of Berlin, Copenhagen and Newcastle upon Tyne. The transferability of the findings made in the urban regions to a Southern European setting will be tested in a survey of a self-contained island community in Greece, linking up with another project carried out by the team on infrastructure provision on Mediterranean islands. Fields of science engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processesdrinking water treatment processes Programme(s) FP4-ENV 2C - Specific programme of research and technological development in the field of environment and climate, 1994-1998 Topic(s) 04 - Human dimensions of environmental change Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator INSTITUT FUER REGIONALENTWICKLUNG UND STRUKTURPLANUNG E.V. EU contribution No data Address 28-31,Flackenstrasse 28-31 15537 ERKNER Germany See on map Total cost No data Participants (3) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Danmarks Tekniske Universitet Denmark EU contribution No data Address 115,Bygning 2800 Lyngby See on map Total cost No data Elius - C. Vei Spiropoulou and Associates O.E. Greece EU contribution No data Address 36,Dragoumi Street 11528 Athens See on map Total cost No data University of Newcastle upon Tyne United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Claremont Tower NE2 4AA Newcastle upon Tyne See on map Total cost No data
