The URBACT II Programme 2007 - 2013 - Lublin

Final Application Form TN URBACT II
6 METHODOLOGY AND USE OF EXPERTISE
6.1 Methodological framework for project implementation
The Hero project meetings will take place in regular intervals in order to discuss
common strategies and approaches in terms of an integrated and sustainable urban
development and to exchange on the actions taken at local level in each partner
city. That way, a strong link between the project and the local level as well as
mutual capitalisation will be ensured. Peer reviews on the Local Action Plans at
halftime of the implementation phase will allow for a fruitful exchange between the
project partners, the members of the ULSGs, the associated Managing Authorities,
the European Commission and the European Association of Historic Towns and Regions
and other external experts.
At programme level, capitalisation will be organised by Thematic Poles. Under supervision
of the Thematic Pole manager Philip Stein, the Thematic Pole platform
“Cities and integrated, sustainable development” to which HerO is assigned to, offers
the opportunity for fruitful exchange among URBACT II networks. The creation
and coordination of ad hoc working groups of experts, the creation and coordination
of thematic files, the organisation of and contribution to dissemination events
or the production of studies will thereby serve as useful tools for conjoint activities
as well as mutual learning and benefit at programme level. As part of the Thematic
Pole activities, the exchange with the project’s twin partners (e.g. theURBACT II
project REPAIR - Realising the Potential of Abandoned Military Sites as an Integral
part of Sustainable Urban Community Regeneration) allows for in-depth discussions
on common approaches and strategies.
Furthermore, the project HerO will capitalise on the knowledge and experience the
single partner cities could gain from past EU-projects and initiatives. Some of the
HerO partners, for instance, took part in the URBACT I network C.H.O.R.U.S -
Cultural Heritage Operations for the Regeneration of Urban Sites, which strongly
links to HerO network’s topic and which can therefore give valuable input.The
same applies to the INTERREG IIIC project INHERIT Investing in Heritage - A guide
to Successful Urban Regeneration, which will be presented to the HerO partners by
the European Association of Historic Towns and Regions EAHTR.
The thematic network HerO - Heritage as Opportunity will co-operate closely with
EAHTR, which currently represents approximately 950 historic towns and cities
covering 14 European countries. This liaison will add great value to the project
work in terms of capitalising on the experiences and expertise of the EAHTR members
on the one hand and a warranted wide dissemination of the HerO project results
within the historic cities in Europe on the other. In addition to that, HerO intends
to involve further external expertise during the course of the project.
The HerO Lead Expert and further URBACT Experts will support strongly the HerO
project work by bringing in their knowledge and experience.
Being a Fast Track network, HerO will be represented at different events and trade
fairs on European level and thereby foster the exchange with the European Commission’s
DG Regio, DG Environment and DG Education and Culture.
The HerO project’s main outputs “Strategy paper for the support of historic urban
landscapes via structural funds” and “Policy recommendations for the improvement
of historic urban landscapes”will contribute ideas for the next funding period and
give input into the political discussion on regional as well as on European level.
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