V4Regions sets the target of triggering new methodologies and implementing existing best practices for a better regional and urban development in the V4 countries.
The aim of the project is to provide V4 countries' urban experts with a new platform for sharing knowledge and presenting good practices in order to respond appropriately to future urban challenges. As countries in the V4 region are in a similar position, they can effectively work together to trigger novel methodologies in urban planning and development. The project will ensure a knowledge-share regarding the different strategies and planning methodologies the partner countries are currently using. As a basic activity, the project will also involve urban planning students from the 4 countries, taking part in the V4 Conference, thus assuring their competencies in the future development.
Mutual learning and cooperation can help the region to catch up with more developed Western
European countries and to strengthen the competitiveness of planning companies in the V4 region. Thus, the project will enable strengthening existing co-operations and developing new contacts in the V4 regions.
The project addresses 4 topics, all four being highly actual issues present in the daily practice of urban planning. 1) COVID-19 overwritten municipal plans in many ways all over the world. In V4 countries have limited financial reserves, thus the pandemic threatens urban development projects, creating a need for new methodologies to finance urban development projects. On the other hand, the pandemic questioned primary beliefs and concepts regarding tourism, globalization, housing density and the suburbs; and also strengthening the importance of available institutions and services within walking distance (walkability index). 2) at present there is an ongoing progress of the transformation of the planning systems. The toolkit of planning has changed rapidly and giving competitive and innovative answers is basic condition of creating territorial balance within the European Union and ensuring EU integrity. 3) V4 countries are similar in differing from Western European planning system and economic culture, that is why cross-cutting issues as climate change, digitalization and Industry 4.0 need a slightly different implementation model. In the V4 planning Platform we do not only plan to bring best practices to experts, but also give a guideline to adapt them in local environment.
