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A. Doernberg and T. Weith
Back in 1999, the European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP) called
for more attention to be paid to urban-rural relationships in order to balance
disparities in Europe via measures of spatial planning and regional development
(European Commission 1999). An important shift towards an integrative view of
this interconnected space is currently discernible.
Several policy documents highlight the relevance of urban–rural interlinkages
(UN-Habitat 2017; Wolf and Mederake 2019; Piorr et al. 2018; OECD 2013) to
sustainable development in order to promote a balance between human welfare,
economic activities, and environmental quality. This new paradigm is expressed in a
series of international resolutions and agendas, such as the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDG) and Habitat III, both adopted in 2016.
The UN SDGs entered into force, determining the development goals to be
achieved globally by 2030 (United Nations 2017). Although they cover a wide range
of topics, several objectives of the SDGs point to urban-rural linkages. Both the
regional level and the national level of development planning are addressed in the
SDGs. In the process, the positive mutual effects generated between the urban, rural
and peri-urban space should be promoted with the aim of meeting all three pillars of
sustainability—social, economic and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the
SDGs call for city-related issues such as sustainable urbanisation processes and settlement development linked with participatory methods, a reduction of environmental
pollution, and the provision of green areas for all city dwellers. Furthermore, the
SDGs cover people-centred topics such as combating poverty and hunger, promoting
health, education and gender issues, and economic themes such as city development,
and climate and environmental protection (United Nations General Assembly 2016).
In SDG 11 “Sustainable cities and communities”, the UN calls for the support of positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural
areas by strengthening national and regional planning and development activities.
While the SDGs take a broad approach, Habitat III, the third United Nations
Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, held in Quito/Ecuador
in October 2016, focuses on urbanisation processes. The Habitat III resolution gives
considerable weighting to rural-urban interlinkages, especially in connection with
their role in sustainable urban development. Spatial planning instruments are considered to be ideal for exploiting the promising potential of rural-urban interconnections.
Relationship and exchange should be integrative in favour of both areas. One form
of exchange is organised such that it reflects supply and demand along the value
chain. Other forms of exchange include communication, technology, transport and
infrastructure, which may help increase productivity and ensure the better utilisation
of spatial, social and economic potential. One aspect of Habitat III is the target of
achieving the equal development of regions within the urban-rural-continuum, based
on enhanced productivity as a result of synergies between both areas. Partnerships
and regional infrastructure projects should support this pathway. Another challenge
addressed by the resolution is assuring the consistency of sectorial policies in consideration of the functions of areas, regardless of administrative boundaries. Habitat III
also attaches importance to the role of land resources, including their ecological and
social features. It calls for the conservation and sustainable management of natural
A. Doernberg and T. Weith
Back in 1999, the European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP) called
for more attention to be paid to urban-rural relationships in order to balance
disparities in Europe via measures of spatial planning and regional development
(European Commission 1999). An important shift towards an integrative view of
this interconnected space is currently discernible.
Several policy documents highlight the relevance of urban–rural interlinkages
(UN-Habitat 2017; Wolf and Mederake 2019; Piorr et al. 2018; OECD 2013) to
sustainable development in order to promote a balance between human welfare,
economic activities, and environmental quality. This new paradigm is expressed in a
series of international resolutions and agendas, such as the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDG) and Habitat III, both adopted in 2016.
The UN SDGs entered into force, determining the development goals to be
achieved globally by 2030 (United Nations 2017). Although they cover a wide range
of topics, several objectives of the SDGs point to urban-rural linkages. Both the
regional level and the national level of development planning are addressed in the
SDGs. In the process, the positive mutual effects generated between the urban, rural
and peri-urban space should be promoted with the aim of meeting all three pillars of
sustainability—social, economic and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the
SDGs call for city-related issues such as sustainable urbanisation processes and settlement development linked with participatory methods, a reduction of environmental
pollution, and the provision of green areas for all city dwellers. Furthermore, the
SDGs cover people-centred topics such as combating poverty and hunger, promoting
health, education and gender issues, and economic themes such as city development,
and climate and environmental protection (United Nations General Assembly 2016).
In SDG 11 “Sustainable cities and communities”, the UN calls for the support of positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural
areas by strengthening national and regional planning and development activities.
While the SDGs take a broad approach, Habitat III, the third United Nations
Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, held in Quito/Ecuador
in October 2016, focuses on urbanisation processes. The Habitat III resolution gives
considerable weighting to rural-urban interlinkages, especially in connection with
their role in sustainable urban development. Spatial planning instruments are considered to be ideal for exploiting the promising potential of rural-urban interconnections.
Relationship and exchange should be integrative in favour of both areas. One form
of exchange is organised such that it reflects supply and demand along the value
chain. Other forms of exchange include communication, technology, transport and
infrastructure, which may help increase productivity and ensure the better utilisation
of spatial, social and economic potential. One aspect of Habitat III is the target of
achieving the equal development of regions within the urban-rural-continuum, based
on enhanced productivity as a result of synergies between both areas. Partnerships
and regional infrastructure projects should support this pathway. Another challenge
addressed by the resolution is assuring the consistency of sectorial policies in consideration of the functions of areas, regardless of administrative boundaries. Habitat III
also attaches importance to the role of land resources, including their ecological and
social features. It calls for the conservation and sustainable management of natural