City Deal Toolbox: Integrated solutions for urban transitions

Related theme: Transition Strategies for a Future-proof Living Environment

The multiple transition challenges; energy transition, climate change, circular economy, biodiversity preservation, sustainable mobility and healthy living are driving a different approach to spatial planning of urban environments – the public space. To make that transition, we need new energy infrastructure, more water buffering areas, more green spaces and new modes of transport. The City Deal (Integrated Public Space Platform) is an initiative by various ministries, municipalities, research centres and utilities that takes an integrated approach to these urban transition challenges in the planning and designing of the public space.

Challenge -  Myriad of demands, scarcity of space

Our sewers, roads, neighbourhoods were mostly built in the 60s and 70s of the previous century and require regular maintenance and sometimes a complete overhaul.  But besides the challenges of regular upkeep, climate change is now impacting our living environment that require other, adaptive measures. And the energy transition itself means building a new infrastructure. But space is severely limited in the Netherlands, both above ground and below. In fact, it is impossible to carry out all measures and plans in terms of space and funding. And the lack of integrated decision and policy making results in conflicts, which in turn leads to unclear frames of demands and puts the process at risk. We need an integrated approach, greater efficiency and better communication/cooperation in earlier stages.

Solution - Toolbox

With these partners, we devised a Toolbox to aid decision-making on urban planning and design of our public space. The toolbox can be used at different levels: strategic (citywide) level, tactical (district/neighbourhood) level and operational (project) level. Over the course of this project, it became clear that there is a urgent gap at tactical level. Generally, policy decisions are made and handed down to be implemented by the relevant party on a project-by-project basis. 

There is little to no consultation between different parties working in the same area on different projects. Holding discussions at tactical level proved crucial and beneficial. The toolbox helps the parties with an integrated process, involved to consider all factors, define and agree on priorities as part of a supported decision. In a district that is vulnerable to flooding, that means that at tactical level, the parties may decide to opt for more climate-adaptive measures at the expense of other measures, such as widening roads. Making better, integrated decisions at tactical levels using the toolbox prevents problems at operational level. 

Impact – Integrated decisions

Toolbox is an easy-to-use PDF tool designed from the perspective of municipalities. It provides a process overview, describing the various process levels, steps and how to make integrated decisions. The toolbox also includes a library with a range of tools, clearly showing at which levels (strategic, tactical or operational) to apply them. The tool can also be searched by topic. It is a highly effective instrument to bring partners together at the earliest point in the process and encourages continued consultation and cooperation to ensure integrated and cohesive decisions.

Partnership – Fostering collaboration

This project was an inspiring environment to work in on a highly relevant challenge. The project highlighted the challenges other parties faced and fostered cooperation and mutual understanding. Interestingly, the teams at project operational level felt a need to tackle issues at tactical level. That showed that most gains are to be made not at policy level.

"I can’t remember ever having seen a 48-page document containing so much information. And it is still well-organized thanks to the layout and various links. My compliments on the amount of information, readability and overall structure."
— Cora van Zwam, Senior advisor living environment at Amersfoort municipality.