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RESULTS AND OUTCOMES
Achievements of the IIIB North Sea Programme Projects 2000-2006
About the North Sea Region The seven North Sea Programme countries are Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, the Flemish Regions of Belgium, the U.K and Norway. The region is connected by the North Sea, and the programme area is made up of regions in the six member states and Norway that border the North Sea. In size of the region covers an area of 664.000 km2. The region covers a population of approximately 60 million.
The North Sea Programme 2000-2006 - Achievements from six more years of transnational cooperation The North Sea Programme - 7 countries around the North Sea working together to solve shared problems in the environment and social and economic development Web based Portfolio A web based and interactive portfolio showcasing the 70 projects of the Programme and the different themes is now available through the Programme website. Summaries, facts and figures are displayed and the interface allows for print on demand as well as a make your own book option, allowing readers to print the most relevant projects and sections of the portfolio in a unique book of their own. The North Sea Programme 2000-2006 The 2000-2006 Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme part funded 70 projects under six themes relevant for the development of the region. More than 7.750 organisations participated in one or more of the 70 approved projects, involving more than 40.000 people. 100 of the eligible 105 regions of the Programme participated in the Programme. The programme has delivered in line with all financial and content related targets. The significant success in implementation was mirrored in the take up of funds. The programme has spent a total eligible expenditure of â‚Ź 275 million. Aim of 2000-2006 Programme To strengthen economic and social cohesion by fostering balanced development, with special emphasis on integrating remote regions, thereby maintaining and improving the quality of life for people living and working in the North Sea Region. The North Sea Programme worked with cutting edge policy areas relating to spatial development in the North Sea
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Region. Based on strategies of the European Union presented in the European Spatial Development Perspective and the NorVision, the aim of the Programme was to strengthen economic and social cohesion by fostering balanced development, with special emphasis on integrating remote regions. Organisations and institutions in the seven participating countries - Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, the Flemish Region of Belgium, U K and Norway all contributed to the aim. The programme finished in June 2009. The Programme was financed through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), a Norwegian equivalent and contributions from all of the countries involved. The total grant budget for the 2000-2006 Programme was â‚Ź 137 million. Key objectives of the 2000-2006 Programme - Reducing levels of depopulation in peripheral areas - Supporting regional development and competitiveness - Improving economic conditions in economically weak areas - Preventing and remedying social exclusion - Improving the quality of life in the North Sea Region - Improving the physical environment of the North Sea Region The basic principles behind the Programme The programme strategy was founded on 4 basic principles: 1. supporting transnational action, 2. through cross-sectoral action, 3. involving the relevant sectors at different levels, 4. pursuing sustainable action. Read more here. The six themes of the 2000-2006 Programme - New opportunities for rural and peripheral areas - Better risk management along rivers and coasts - Improving transport - Using the environment responsibly - Making use of innovation and knowledge - Developing more competitive cities and towns
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The North Sea Region is characterised by large peripheral and semi-peripheral rural areas with many small towns of less than 20,000 inhabitants. Many parts of the programme area already have low GDP and face the further challenges of an ageing population and out-migration, both of which have decreased the active labour force. These pressures, together with the scarcity of urban functions can, if unchecked, lead to economic and social decline. These trends affect the inherent economic competitiveness of some regions within the North Sea Region, resulting in changed demands for land use, travel, access to services and infra-structure. The peripheral and semi-peripheral areas of the North Sea region also possess unique qualities that represent huge potential for future social and economic development. Some rural areas have few job opportunities to replace those lost by declining agricultural activities. The economic potential of these areas is limited, but there have been positive developments in fields such as rural tourism, establishing new services and improving existing ones. In addition there has been an emphasis on developing new opportunities for economic activities, whilst harnessing and protecting the unique environment and heritage assets of many areas in the North Sea region. The activities and achievements of the nine projects approved by the Programme within this theme have demonstrated the value of intervention to encourage urban-rural and inter-rural co-operation in order to provide a decent level of services and solve common problems to preserve and improve the quality of life in these special parts of the North Sea Region.
Key features
Innovative actions in rural areas
Main achievements and outcomes
» new opportunities for small-scale tourism heritage information and route directions » new services to support the everyday life of inhabitants in peripheral areas » enabling the elderly to stay in their own homes » a permanent management structure for the North Sea Cycle Route 5100 km of finalised trail in 26 partner regions within 7 countries
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Safeguarding cultural and natural heritage
» integrated management and development plan for the common landscape and cultural heritage in the Wadden Sea Region » protection and restoration of cultural, natural and historical landscapes and townscapes » combined maritime heritage with regional and national planning spatial planning strategies » bringing together spatial planners and maritime heritage practitioners » reconstruction of historic maritime heritage sites
Protecting and developing valuable landscapes
» best practice in the maintenance and improvement of rural landscapes » public - private model for agricultural products » sustainable development of national parks » economic impact on rural development and and out of season activity » accessibility of tourist attractions by developing public transport » waterways as a catalyst for the regeneration of urban and rural areas » yachting links between canals across the North Sea » classification of a recreational waterway network in the North Sea Region
Achievements and outcomes of the project activities Innovative actions in rural areas A key feature of this theme is the desire of people living in rural areas to maintain their identity while simultaneously benefiting from innovative action to address quality of life issues, the maintenance of services and the provision of good conditions for business development all with a view to the reduction of out migration. The following projects contributed to new networks and partnerships which, in turn, developed innovative measures to promote urban and rural cultural heritage, natural assets and modern culture. Business and Environment linked through Small-scale Tourism (BESST) developed new opportunities for small-scale tourism in rural peripheral areas. International exchanges were facilitated by transnational co-operation in the project. These exchanges were designed to stimulate a range of activities simultaneously in three places on an on-going, progressive basis and allowed the partners to share the learning gained from these joint activities. Within the North Sea Rural Development Project (NS Rural),new services were established to support the everyday life of inhabitants in peripheral areas. The Smart Home project of NS Rural provided the technical solution for flood sensors, and for fall detectors, the latter enabling the elderly to stay in their own homes longer than would otherwise be possible. The project the North Sea Cycle Route Cycling On (CO2) has facilitated the consolidation of the North Sea Cycle Route (NSCR) as a global tourist attraction with an impact well beyond the North Sea Region itself. The main achievement was the development of a permanent management structure to oversee the integration of the NSCR as a high quality attraction in the North Sea Region. As the number of cyclists continues to rise, it is expected that both the public and the private sectors of the partner regions will continue to improve the conditions along and the level of services on offer along the North Sea Cycle Route. A complementary project was The North Sea Coastal Path (NAVE NORTRAIL), covering 5100 km of finalised trail in 26 partner regions within 7 countries. In addition, along the trail the project has operated two heritage networks: Ox Trails and the Lighthouse network. As a result, the paths along NORTRAIL are more than walking trails; they also operate to reveal the natural and cultural heritage of the areas.
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Safeguarding cultural and natural heritage Increasing awareness of the importance of cultural and natural heritage has been a predominant feature within this theme. The Integrated Landscape and Cultural Heritage Management and Development Plan for the Wadden Sea Region (LancewadPlan) project developed an integrated management and development plan for the common landscape and cultural heritage in the Wadden Sea Region. The strategy A Living Historic Landscape encompassed the joint strategy for both its landscape and cultural heritage. Pilot projects, showed how to integrate cultural plans into regional planning and also carried out regional implementation activities. New integrated approaches contributed to the protection and restoration of cultural, natural and historical landscapes and townscapes. In this context, consideration was given to finding new uses for historical environments, including buildings. The creative rehabilitation, protection and development of cultural and natural landscapes and townscapes through integrated spatial planning with focus on seafaring heritage (NorthSEAfaring) combined maritime heritage with regional and national planning spatial planning strategies by introducing innovative solutions and ideas, bringing together spatial planners and maritime heritage practitioners. Spatial strategies, including heritage protection measures were developed in all of the participating regions and towns. Another final outcome was represented by the reconstruction of historic maritime heritage sites in the North Sea Region, which serve as additional tourist attractions and support economic development. Through the transnational approach, project partners of the NorthSEAfaring succeeded in gathering together traditional skills and crafts to underpin historic port infrastructures such as the reconstruction of the tjalk, a traditional vessel type in Emden, Germany. Protecting and developing valuable landscapes Alongside the viability and attractiveness of living and working in rural areas, a further important subject has been the issue of protecting and developing valuable landscapes. The Farmers for Nature(F4N) project presented best practice from extensive agriculture and new roles for farmers preserving valuable landscape in peripheral areas. The project identified and implemented 7 aspects of best practice in the maintenance and improvement of rural landscapes, enhancing their ecological value and preserving their cultural identity. One of these was the development of a public private model for agricultural products . The model functions as a consultancy for regional development and is of relevance to EU agricultural policies. It offers a new way of encouraging closer ties between public and rural affairs, to help finance changes in farming practice. Combining the assets of natural resources, development of landscapes and new technologies, Mobility and National Parks (MoPark) worked on the sustainable development of national parks with the partners undertaking a wide variety of activities, adapted to their local situation and needs. This project has had significant economic impact on rural development and out of season activity in partnership areas. Enhancing the accessibility of tourist attractions by developing public transport was the main focus of the New Opportunities for Inland Waterways across the North Sea (Canal Link). The value of waterways as a catalyst for the regeneration of urban and rural areas has become increasingly recognised, together with the need to ensure that they are better integrated with adjacent land uses. The project carried out a study into opportunities for developing yachting links between canals across the North Sea, particularly between Scotland and Scandinavia. It also carried out the classification of a recreational waterway network in the North Sea Region, following the proposed United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) classification system.
Lasting legacy for the North Sea Region through the projects' achievements These projects have attracted widespread interest with achievements that will have long-term effects especially in relation to policy shaping. Business and Environment linked through Small-scale Tourism(BESST) resulted in a political agreement to prioritise internationalisation as the future way forward for the Fyresdal municipality in Norway. The North
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Sea Coastal Path (NAVE NORTRAIL) project managed to stimulate debate around public access to the coastal zone and may influence further national legislation regarding the Outdoor Access Code. Planning legislation in the UK and Denmark may also be influenced regarding better procedures for acquiring landowner agreement to access private land. Increased awareness of the importance of integrating cultural and natural heritage into planning has been a key contribution of the LancewadPlan project. It will be transformed into policies of the Trilateral Co-operation for the protection of the Wadden Sea and the action programme will be implemented in the near future. In a similar context, the creative rehabilitation, protection and development of cultural and natural landscapes and townscapes through integrated spatial planning with focus on seafaring heritage (NorthSEAfaring)worked together with the UK government to develop concepts of support for Maritime heritage at Ministerial level. Transnational work with the key maritime heritage groups within the EU raised awareness of the implications of working with spatial planners and the necessity of becoming involved as a matter of priority rather than waiting for planning issues to create difficulties. Through implementing its 7 pilot projects, Farmers for Nature (F4N) stimulated integrated policy making at regional, national and international levels in Europe. It contributed to the E.U.s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) implementation in different countries, with one pilot project contributing to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). New Opportunities for Inland Waterways across the North Sea (Canal Link) will work on several follow-up actions ncluding further restoration work on the canals in Langedijk (the Netherlands) and the restoration of the Bradford Canal (UK), business and product development activities in Varmland (Sweden) and Telemark (Norway) and to the implementation of landscaping work in West Flanders (the Flemish Region of Belgium). The nine projects approved in this theme have delivered an interesting and wide range of results that will contribute to the lasting legacy of the Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme. These include policy shaping, the integration of cultural and national heritage issues into planning to avoid problems and the encouragement of integrated policy making at regional, national and international levels of Europe and beyond. Some projects also succeeded delivering additional investment as a result of their activities.
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North SEAfaring
LP: Colchester Borough Council Project Manager
Will Hawkesworth Colchester Borough Council The Customs House, Hythe Quay CO2 8JB Colchester United Kingdom Will.Hawkesworth@colchester.gov.uk www.northseafaring.org Tel: +44 1206 863217
Measure: 3.1 Start Date: 27 February 2004 End Date: 30 June 2007 ERDF Grant: € 1.533.388,00 Total Eligible Sum: € 3.066.776,00
Partners
Maritieme Site Oostende, BE Autonoom Gemeentbedrijf Haven Oostende, BE City of Emden, DE Province of Noord-Holland, NL Stichting Industrieel Engoedbank 'De Hoop', NL Province of Zeeland, NL Excelsior Trust, UK Waveney District Council, NL Dundee City Council, UK
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PROJECT AIM
The central aim of the North SEAfaring project was to raise the status of maritime heritage in regional and national spatial planning strategies. Hence the project referred to a creative rehabilitation, protection and development of cultural and natural landscapes and townscapes. This was accomplished through integrated spatial planning, with a focus on seafaring heritage.
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION AND RESULTS
Spatial development The North SEAfaring project combined maritime heritage with regional and national spatial planning strategies by innovative solutions and ideas bringing together spatial planners and maritime heritage people. The main achievement was that local planners from each project side, acknowledged the importance of maritime heritage in the development of their work. Therefore, spatial strategies including heritage protection measures were developed in all of the participating regions and towns. Another final outcome is represented by reconstruction of historic maritime heritage sites in the North Sea Region, which serve as tourist attractions and support economic development. As a social aspect both young people and unemployed were directly involved in the reconstruction. The project has also had a positive effect and benefit on the environment. Through the development of integrated spatial strategies respecting the local environment, it also led to improvements in the environment through the creative rehabilitation of derelict sites and wasteland.
JOINT TRANSNATIONAL STRATEGY
The project partners were inspired to work hard in their own areas and make connections in a range of vertical sectors. Horizontally, many more people were interested in both the heritage aspects of the project and the spatial component than was anticipated. Through the transnational approach, project partners of NorthSEAfaring have succeeded in gathering together traditional skills and crafts to restore historic port infrastructure such as the reconstruction of the "tjalk", a traditional vessel type in Emden (DE).
IMPACT OF THE PROJECT
Long-term achievements and policy shaping North SEAfaring anticipated that most activities would be carried out at a local level. However, opportunity arose to cooperate with the UK government on the development of concepts of support for maritime heritage on ministerial level. Broader EU levels were influenced through European Maritime Heritage. Furthermore, transnational work with the key maritime heritage groups within the EU has raised awareness of the
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implications of working with spatial planners and the necessity of becoming involved as a matter of priority rather than wait for planning issue to create difficulties. Dissemination The website will continue to operate for dissemination of the spatial material, the raising of heritage concerns and potential solutions. All partners will continue to promote the project material and contact network within their broader spheres of influence, from national government levels to community interfaces. The developed guidelines and examples are used as primers and toolkits for innovative North Sea spatial planning on local, regional and transnational level.
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