The EU's diversity is reflected in the richness of its territories. Demographic change, economic growth, sustainable development and societal and environmental issues affect the lives of Europeans, whether they live in small, remote villages or in bustling metropolises.
The JRC’s Territorial development unit has developed a unique collection of interactive data platforms, analyses and tools that capture the specific challenges, strengths and opportunities of each community.
These tools, combined together, can help design effective place-based policies to address specific local needs, and ensure cohesive, sustainable development, supporting the EU territorial agenda.
Analysis of cities and territories
A knowledge base of highly granular geographical data from official and alternative data sources, methods, scientific tools and models, complemented by analyses and insights on socioeconomic and territorial cohesion trend.
Analysis of cities and territories databases: Urban Data Platform, Rural Observatory, Data hub for EU border regions, Annual Regional Database of the European Commission, EU Tourism Dashboard.
Development strategies in urban and rural territories
Tools, methods and analyses developed by the JRC support regional and local policy-makers, businesses, associations and communities to foster innovative, sustainable, integrated territorial development, unleashing the opportunities offered through EU funding.
A collection of urban and territorial development strategies complements activities for the localisation of the SDGs and the Startup Village Forum initiative.
Global place-based innovation strategies for sustainable development
JRC work on Smart Specialisation strategies for sustainable growth outside the EU helps:
- strengthen Innovation in the EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood Region
- integrate the SDGs into locally tailored research and innovation agendas within the Science, technology and innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals project.
