Peri-urban areas, characterized by their blend of urban and rural features, are located at the rural–urban fringe, the transitional zone where urban and rural landscapes meet. These areas are often overlooked in traditional planning. These regions are under pressure from urban sprawl, industrial pollution, and complex land-use conflicts. SpurUP (Sustainable Peri-Urban framework for Climate Neutral development) is a Horizon Europe initiative designed to give peri-urban areas a clear voice and a sustainable future.
High GHG emissions and inefficient resource use in the peri-urban areas create a significant ecological footprint that hinders climate targets.
Peri-urban areas typically fall under overlapping administrative jurisdictions. This leads to inconsistent policymaking, land-use policies and inefficient resource allocation.
Financial and technical barriers prevent local authorities from implementing large-scale climate actions, such as decarbonizing industries or managing waste.
Marginalized populations require inclusive and adaptable strategies to address local socioeconomic needs. The lack of integrated governance and infrastructure further exacerbates these vulnerabilities.
SpurUP operates through a rigorous, three-phase strategy that doesn’t just deliver technology; it builds an ecosystem where research, real-world testing, and community feedback drive every decision.
Before a single tool is deployed, SpurUP partners listen. During this phase, a deep-dive research will be conducted into the specific social and local needs of each peri-urban region.
With the groundwork laid, SpurUP will move into the implementation of digital and technical solutions within the project’s 3 Living Labs.
The final phase is about proving scalability, finalizing a toolkit based on the real-world performance data and end-user opinions gathered in Phase 2.
