INTEGAIRE
Introduction from the Commission to Final Report of the INTEGAIRE Project

Urban areas face many challenges and need to walk the path of sustainability. Urban policy is usually developed and implemented by the Member States and the cities themselves, according to the principle of subsidiarity. However, the urban challenge has triggered the reaction of the European Commission in order to address urban sustainability from a global perspective. The European level clearly has the capacity to act as a catalyst in supporting the development of new management and monitoring tools for cities.

The role of research is also essential while improving the long-term sustainability of urban areas. This can help developing new modelling tools and/or assessment methodologies that are needed to better forecast how the complex ‘urban system’ could evolve in the future.

As part of a research programme supported by the European Commission, the Key Action ‘City of Tomorrow and Cultural Heritage’ ensures the development of practical new approaches to urban governance, planning and management that will enable truly sustainable policies to be defined and implemented. Also, the Communication from the Commission on “Stimulating Technologies for Sustainable Development: An Environmental Technologies Action Plan for the European Union” gives a broad framework for action towards sustainability and involvement of cities and citizens in the decision making process.

INTEGAIRE falls under the criteria of the Key Action ‘City of Tomorrow and Cultural Heritage’ as it has focused on air quality integration, participatory and preventive issues. This project has demonstrated to be of extremely added-value at the European and city level. It has developed recommendations for the ‘Clean Air For Europe’ program on future air quality regulatory approaches and also at local level with the elaboration of an extensive catalogue of good practices.

INTEGAIRE has had a significant impact in improving the air quality in European cities and associated urban regions. The project will continue the progress through the creation of a European platform for municipal air quality professionals. This would be an excellent way for professionals to be kept updated on air quality challenges and potential solutions, to be able to contribute to EU legislation and finally, reaching a level where air quality would not be a threat for anyone anymore.

Pierre Valette
European Commission
DG Research
Head of Unit

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