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urban-rural partnerships

"Rural-urban interactions can be defined as linkages across space (such as flows of people, goods, money, information and wastes) and linkages between sectors (for example between agriculture and services and manufacturing). In broad terms, they also include “rural” activities taking place in urban centres (such as urban agriculture) and activities often classified as “urban”, such as manufacturing and services) taking place in rural settlements.
In recent decades, urban-rural interactions have intensified throughout Europe, in terms of commuter flows, recreation and leisure activities, settlement of former urban dwellers in rural areas, location of formerly urban functions and activities in rural areas etc.. In other words, the urban influence of cities on rural areas has increased. Rural-urban linkages are important to achieve balanced economic development and to reduce vulnerability of less favoured rural regions. Rural-urban interactions have often critical influences on natural resources use and management, especially in the peri-urban interface. In order to promote harmonious territorial development, urban-rural partnerships are being set up between urban and rural communities (generally represented by local authorities but also involving NGOs and the civil society) aiming at providing services, protecting natural and environmental resources, favouring regular contacts between urban and rural communities, developing economic synergies etc."

CEMAT Glossary of key expressions used in spatial development policies in Europe; 14 CEMAT (2006) 6, Strasbourg 24 January 2007, p. 22

CEMAT Glossary Jan 24th 2007.pdf

http://www.coe.int