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Compact Cities
Sustainable Urban Planning and Sprawl Mitigation
News
About the Thematic Area
The thematic area of "Compact Cities – Sustainable Urban Planning and Sprawl Mitigation" focuses on promoting dense, efficient, and sustainable urban development as a response to the widespread challenge of urban sprawl across Europe. Sprawl, characterised by low-density, car-dependent, and fragmented land use, imposes significant environmental, economic, and social costs—ranging from biodiversity loss and increased greenhouse gas emissions to higher infrastructure costs and transport poverty. The compact city model offers an alternative by emphasising spatial planning strategies that limit greenfield development (containment), make better use of existing urban areas (densification), and regenerate under-used spaces (regeneration).
This thematic area recognises that urban form is shaped by complex interactions between demand and supply drivers, including demographic trends, economic incentives, governance structures, and planning instruments. A key focus is on multi-level governance and the coordination of policies—particularly in transport, housing, and environment—that influence urban expansion. Special attention is given to the unique challenges faced by small and medium-sized cities, the role of public space design in liveability, and the integration of socio-economic and environmental goals. Ultimately, the Compact Cities theme seeks to equip local, regional, and national authorities with the tools and collaborative frameworks needed to implement sustainable and inclusive urban planning.
A Call for Partners to join the Compact Cities Thematic Partnership is expected to open in late summer 2025. Interested stakeholders are encouraged to consult the Ex-Ante Assessment to better understand the thematic scope and to begin considering how their work may contribute to the partnership’s goals.
An online applicant seminar will also be organised closer to the call launch to guide potential applicants through the process and provide insights into the functioning and impact of Thematic Partnerships under the Urban Agenda for the EU.