Three toolboxes under preparation

How to implement an integrated management system and sustainable development strategies? What is a Sustainability Management Center (SMC) and what does it have to offer city administrations? How to make a sustainable urban transport plans (SUTP) for city centers struggling with the dominance of private cars and congestion? The Commission on Environment has been trying to answer these questions within its three major projects

- BUS-TRIP, SUSTAINMENT and Managing Urban Europe -25. All projects are now at the stage of collecting the most fruitful results that will be provided in practical and user friendly toolboxes. Eventually, local authorities across Europe can make use of the work the pioneering partner cities have carried out in these projects. The Commission is currently developing a knowledge management database that will further assist cities. Managing Urban Europe -25: Guidance for integrated management system will provide an on-line guidance and manual for cities wishing to implement an integrated management system in their cities. It includes case studies from cities and comprehensive guidance on issues such as target setting, stakeholder involvement processes, indicator selection and organisational setup. This toolbox will benefit cities aiming at implementing the Aalborg Commitments and sustainable development through management systems. The toolbox will be launched in the beginning of 2008.

SUSTAINMENT: Competence Development Package is in the process of creating an interactive on-line module. It will provide cities with basic, but tailored guidance, resources, and concrete examples on how to develop an organisational unit to effectively and efficiently drive the sustainable development process in their cities. The final on-line product will be supplemented with a CD and a limited printed text version in nine languages. This will be launched at the final conference in Gdansk in November 2007.

BUSTRIP: Moving sustainability- SUTP Toolbox builds on the findings from the Peer Reviews carried out in the 12 partner cities. The toolbox provides an appealing and hands-on guidance for delivering Sustainable Urban Transport Plans in cities. This final product will appear on-line and in print in eight languages by the final conference, held in Turku on 7-9 November 2007.