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Compact Cities
Sustainable Urban Planning and Sprawl Mitigation
News
Call for partners
The call for partners will be open from 27 August to 1 October, leaving interested partners enough time to apply after the summer period.
Once the call is closed, the applications are carefully assessed by the EAA expert taking into consideration the diversity of stakeholders, their geographical location in Europe and the variety of size of urban authorities. Once approved by the DGUM in autumn 2025, the Thematic Partnership on Compact Cities - Urban Sustainable Planning and Sprawl Mitigation will be launched and ready to kick-off in early 2026.
Who is eligible?
- Cities of all sizes / intermunicipal cooperations
- Regions/regional development agencies
- European and national umbrella organisations
- Member States (through their national ministries) and Norway/Switzerland
- Others (e.g. academia, associations, NGO, urban stakeholder related to urban and spatial planning)
As soon as the call for partners opens on 27 August, the Background Document elaborating on the eligibility of stakeholders and assessment criteria will be published.
In the meantime the Ex-Ante Assessment (EAA) is available at the top of the page. The EAA, is an evidence-based research report, written by an external experts which explores the relevance and necessity of the theme and defines the scope of the partnership. What exists and what has already been done on the theme? What are the challenges, the gaps and the opportunities? Interested stakeholders are encouraged to consult the EAA to get a good udnerstanding of the upcoming Thematic Parntership and its scope.
Support to applicants
Applicant Seminar
An online applicant seminar will take place on 3 September where interested stakeholders will get more information about the application process as well as what to expect from a Thematic Partnership within the Urban Agenda for the EU.
Register for the online applicant seminar
We invite interested stakeholders to consult the video below to learn more about the nature of Urban Agenda Thematic Partnerships.
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.
If you want to explore the topic further, read the interview with the Ex-Ante Assessment expert.