Peri-urban areas, located between cities and the countryside, are experiencing the fastest land-use change in Europe. Urban expansion continues at a rate of 0.5–0.7% per year, while built-up areas in rural regions are growing up to four times faster than urban cores, with projections indicating a possible doubling within the next 30-50 years. 🌍
This rapid transformation brings serious environmental and social challenges, including ecosystem degradation, increased emissions and spatial inequality. At the same time, peri-urban regions offer strong opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth, particularly when development is guided by integrated planning approaches.
Through the PeriNEXT project, the Climate Neutral Awareness Kit promotes climate-neutral, integrated planning that connects land use, energy systems, mobility and social dimensions. This approach supports EU priorities such as the European Green Deal and the 2030 Agenda, positioning peri-urban areas as key spaces for Europe’s climate transition. 💫
