Introduction

The integrated approach is frequently used as shorthand for integrated territorial development. However, whereas an integrated approach implies the combining or intersection of policy fields, what distinguishes integrated territorial development is its focus on integrated approaches within a territory at a particular scale. The scales most commonly referred to, for example, in the New Leipzig Charter are the neighbourhood, the municipality and the functional urban area. Within the UIA projects the closest approximation to the functional urban area is the metropolitan area, although these are not the same.  In general the UIA projects are focused on smaller territories than Article 7 integrated sustainable urban development approaches. 

There is no widely accepted definition of the principles or dimensions that make up Integrated territorial development. In this report we have used four principles:

• Place-based approach - defining a territory and methods of analysis of the policy theme in that territory
• Multi-stakeholder and multi-level partnership - bringing together relevant actors from the territory and in the vertical governance chain in order to integrate cross-sectoral policies 
• Participative approach - using codesign and empowerment tools for working with citizens and their civil society organisations
• Cross-sectoral approach - bringing together relevant policy fields to address the problem being tackled in the territory.

These four principles were examined across four project phases: co-design, implementation, evaluation and scaling up.

Research questions were agreed for the four project phases: co-design, implementation, evaluation and scaling-up.

Co-design phase

• How were the main principles of the integrated approach defined and embedded not only at the level of the single project but more generally in the overall policymaking process?
• How to create conditions to nurture and develop integrated and innovative solutions? 

Implementation phase

• What are the concrete implications for urban authorities to deliver complex and bold urban projects taking into account the four principles?

Evaluation phase

• How can the integrated territorial approach be monitored and evaluated?
• How did the project assess the added value of the integrated territorial approach? 

Scaling up and transfer phase

• How can projects be upscaled and develop a long-term sustainability?
• Will the main urban authority apply the same place-based approach in the future?

Further research questions were defined for each principle within each phase; these are explored in sections 1-4 which deal with each of the four principles, as well as with evaluation and scaling up in sections 5 and 6.

The study is organised around the four main principles that when combined can deliver integrated territorial development. In simple terms, integrated territorial development to a particular challenge combines policies across all relevant sectors on a specific territory or place, by bringing together a multi-level and multi-stakeholder partnership using tools that engage with citizens and users wherever possible. 

Each of the following chapter of the report deals with one of these four principles. In addition, two chapters cover evaluation, scaling-up and transfer of innovative project approaches. In each chapters 1-4 the issues regarding the four principles in integrated territorial development are discussed. Boxes are used to go into greater detail on selected case studies relating to the section. The case studies can be found at the end of the report.

The study team deployed a case study approach and in consultation with UIA PS decided to focus on 12 cases. To select the cases, the study team scored all 86 projects across 9 criteria to identify high- quality projects across the four principles. This produced a long list of 20 projects. 12 were finally selected with attention being given to geographical balance, a good mix of thematic topics, the size of cities, and types of partnerships being addressed.

Hearings with the 12 selected UIA project teams were organised in January 2022 during pathfinder interviews with project coordinators. The hearings themselves were carried out in February and March 2022. Most hearings comprised three different two hour sessions and featured a broad participation from different parts of the partnership. The first session was normally with the projects’ core team. The second with the wider partnership including end beneficiaries where possible and finally the third session dealt with technical and other specific aspects such as evaluation and scaling up.