SNIFFER is a partner in URBAN-NEXUS – the successor to the pan-European, urban sustainability project, URBAN-NET. The URBAN NEXUS launch meeting took place in the Bulgarian capital city of Sofia, on 17-18 November 2011.
The partners of URBAN-NEXUS include national ministries, research institutes, municipalities, development agencies and a range of urban-focussed networks from across Europe. High on the agenda of the initial project meeting was the exploration of how partners can best share knowledge on research findings, gaps, tools, and models. It also allowed opportunity to consider experience of partnership working in addressing some of the challenges faced by European cities and urban systems. Resilience to environmental change, quality of life, competition for land; and integrated management were also amongst the headline topics considered by the meeting.
SNIFFER is leading work within the URBAN-NEXUS partnership on synthesising existing knowledge and tools, and compiling foresight on how to improve urban resilience to environmental change – with particular relevance to climate change. This provides an excellent opportunity to share the work and activity of Adaptation Scotland (the climate resilience initiative, also managed by SNIFFER) in a European forum and learn how others across Europe are responding and preparing.
Further information on URBAN-NEXUS, including details of a dedicated website, will be made available on the SNIFFER website in the near future. For more information in the meantime, please contact june@sniffer.org.uk – telephone: 0131 524 9479.