The objectives of this course module are to give an overview of the approaches being taken world-wide to tackle the problem of planning sustainable urban environments. We provide background explanation and appropriate links for guidance on the current best practice in the physical design and planning of the built environment in relation to the natural environment, as well as to the general ongoing sustainable development of settlements. Information has been augmented from a number of sources which should enable you to access and critically review:

• Information on best practice
• Guidance on applying best practice
• Case studies and examples of projects applying sustainability principles

One of the key problems when developing "sustainable" initiatives is to "cost" them in some meaningful way so that viable alternatives can be fairly considered and an optimal approach taken. One of the issues addressed in this guidebook is therefore how to quantify the hidden costs in planning projects. Wherever possible we have provided links and guidance on tools that are available for the costing of projects and their impacts and benefits, and to provide a framework for structured decision taking. We hope that the information included in this module will enhance your knowledge and skills and inspire you to create and promote action plans and designs aiming at sustainable development and viable, healthy and pleasant urban environment.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

These notes have been produced starting with the Commission's strategy for the urban Environment (1), and has used readily available public domain information regarding sustainable development, urban environment and sustainable urban design and is freely available on the following websites:

• European Urban Knowledge Network, http://www.eukn.org/eukn/
• West Coast Environmental Law, http://www.wcel.org/issues/urban/sbg/
• Changing Places, http://changingplaces.urbed.com
• Smart communities network, http://www.smartcommunities.ncat.org/landuse/mixed.shtm
• Local Governments for sustainability, http://www.iclei.org/europe/LASALA/
• EUROPA, http://www.europa.eu.int: in particular the sustainable urban management pages, http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/urban/sustainable_urban_management.htm
• The SCATTER Project, http://www.casa.ucl.ac.uk/scatter
• The Strategic Environmental Assessment Information Service,
  http://www.sea-info.net
• The Methodex project website, http://www.methodex.org
• The Externe project website, http://externe.jrc.es/overview.html
• The PROMPT project website, : http://prompt.vtt.fi/
• The European network for cycling expertise http://www.velo.info/
• SUTRA project, http://www.ess.co.at/SUTRA/
• The ECOCITY project, http://www.ecocityprojects.net/
• The CABERNET project www.cabernet.org.uk
• The Center for Watershed Protection http://www.cwp.org/land_conservation.htm
• Stormwater Manager's Resource Center, http://www.stormwatercenter.net/
• Mersey Basin Campaign, http://www.merseybasin.org.uk/
• The UK Environment Agency, www.environment-agency.gov.uk
• Växjö City website, http://www.vaxjo.se/
• The Europen Heritage Netwok, http://www.european-heritage.net/sdx/herein/index.xsp
• ICOMOS http://www.icomos.org/
• Compendium of Cultural Policies and Trends in Europe, http://www.culturalpolicies.net/web/index.php
• International Committee of the Blue Shield, See website at http://www.ifla.org/blueshield.htm

The information presented in this Course Module does not however contain all of the information available on these Websites and wherever appropriate information has been augmented or merged.

This handbook is the outcome of collective work by the partners of the PROUD network. Special thanks to Steve Smirk and Frank Kvasnik who compiled this guidebook. Thanks are also due to Antonia Theodosiou for her contribution and assistance during the preparation of the educational material.

Disclaimer
The information presented in this Course Module has been obtained from respected and reputable international sources and highlights key issues affecting sustainable development and the urban environment in relation to sustainable urban design. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information was correct at the time of the preparation of the final version of the module, we cannot guarantee that it will remain so. It therefore follows that users of this information do so at their own risk and that the developers of this handbook, as part of the program “Promoting Urban Sustainable Development in Local Authorities – PROUD”, cannot accept any liability for losses or damage that might be caused by the application of this information.

(1) COM(2004)60 final: Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Towards a thematic strategy on the urban environment

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