METREX Autumn Conference 2023
22-25 October 2023 , Braga
Framing Metropolitan Cohesion Policies: Exploring Urban-Rural Partnerships
We are delighted to announce that our 2023 Autumn Conference will be hosted by new Member CIM Cávado in the fantastic city of Braga, which blends over 2000-years of history with a young, cosmopolitan and confident outlook.
Exploring Urban-Rural Partnerships
Metropolitan regions and areas in Europe represent over 100 million inhabitants. They contribute the metropolitan dimension to policies, programmes and projects on a European scale by bringing urban and rural areas together.
It is this approach that inspires our forthcoming Autumn Conference. We will use the conference to learn about and discuss the Cohesion Policy and urban-rural partnerships, and how metropolitan regions and areas are best-in-place to deliver the collaborations necessary for mutual benefits. For this, we will learn from METREX Members in Portugal, as well as other international examples from across the network.
An important element in the conference will be how the Rural Vision and Pact could be translated into concrete measures, not only within the CIM Cávado area, but also elsewhere in Europe.
An overview of our time in Braga is available on the METREX website. Further details on the programme and registration will be available soon.
Please join us in Braga to support the Metropolitan Dimension and its potential to help urban and rural areas benefit from working together!
Overview programme
Sun 22 October
Arrival day
Afternoon
City Centre tours
Evening
Informal reception
Mon 23 October
Conference Day 1
Morning
EU Cohesion Policy beyond 2027 – panel debate
Afternoon
Portuguese Metropolitan Regions and Areas explained
Evening
Reception and Dinner
Tue 24 October
Conference Day 2
Morning
From the EU vision to the local strategies and practice
Morning
The Manifesto for a Metropolitan Europe
Parallel Sessions on Urban-Rural initiatives
Afternoon
Study Visits
Evening
Conference Dinner
Wed 25 October
METREX Working Sessions
Morning
Members’ General Assembly
Network and Expert Groups
Early afternoon
Closing remarks and conclusions
Times and details within this programme are tentative and may change as speakers are confirmed and sessions are refined. Please ensure to check back to see the latest programme. For any questions, please contact the METREX team on info@eurometrex.org.
Sunday 22 October 2023
Optional afternoon programme for all who will arrive early
Walking visit around the historical and cultural city centre of Braga
Meet at: CIM Cávado
Rua do Carmo 29-33, Braga (Map)
Tour will finish at the Cathedral at 18:00
Drinks are at your own expense
Meet at: Outside the entrance to Cathedral Sé De Braga
R. Dom Paio Mendes, 4700-424 Braga (Map)
Monday 23 October 2023
Venue: Dom Diogo Sousa Museum
R. dos Bombeiros Voluntários s/n, 4700-025 Braga (Map)
With
António Cunha, North Portugal Regional Coordination and Development Commission
Ana Abrunhosa, Portuguese Territorial Cohesion Minister
Elisa Ferreira, European Commissioner (video address)
Keynote speaker and moderator: Prof. Fernando Alexandre Minho University
Debate session with political representatives:
José Manuel Fernandes, Member of the European Parliament
Duarte Rodrigues, Vice-President, Portuguese Agency for Development and Cohesion Parliament
Keynote speaker and moderator: Silvia Nanni
Directorate General for Agricolture and Rural Development, Rural Pact
Debate session with political representatives:
Isabel Carvalhais, Member of the European Parliament
Margarida Belém, Mayor of Arouca (AMP)
Moderator: Cristina Azevedo, observer and opinionist
In Dialogue with
Filipe Ferreira, Metropolitan Secretary, Lisbon Metropolitan Area
Eduardo Vitor Rodrigues, President, Porto Metropolitan Area,
Mayor of Gaia
Jorge Brito, Executive Secretary, Coimbra Region
Intermunicipal Community
Júlio Pereira, Executive Vogal, Managing Authority Norte 2030
Cristina Azevedo, observer and opinionist
Filipe Teles, pro-rector Aveiro University and President EURA
Travel by Bus
Tuesday 24 October 2023
Venue: Dom Diogo Sousa Museum
R. dos Bombeiros Voluntários s/n, 4700-025 Braga (Map)
Łukasz Medeksza, Deputy Director of the Strategy and City Development Department Municipality of Wrocław
From the EU vision to the local strategies and practice:
The way forward to get Stronger, Connected, Prosperous and Resilient
Moderator: Dr. Ing- Uwe Ferber, STADTLAND, GmbH and Metropolitan Landscapes Expert Group leader
Metropolitan Partnerships across Urban and Rural: Case Studies
This session will link the Manifesto for a Metropolitan Europe to concrete practices that are being implemented across Europe across a range of sectors.
with:
Łukasz Medeksza, Deputy Director of the Strategy and City Development Department Municipality of Wrocław
and International representatives from the cases explored
Walking tour to some of the highlights of regional importance including the renovated Braga Municipal Market, and GRNation, a cultural hub for creation and performance of contemporary music bridging art and technologies.
Visit to Sameiro Sanctuary
followed by
Dinner at Bom Jesus do Monte
Wednesday 25 October 2023
Venue: CIM Cávado
Rua do Carmo 29-33, Braga (Map)
METREX Expert Groups’ members are invited to reflect on the conference questions/topics. This conclusive final gathering will be dedicated to exchange on what has emerged from the three-day working sessions and openly discuss the way forward.
Open to METREX Members only
Agenda issued directly to principal contacts at each Member organisation.
Connection through Porto
Bus – direct from Porto Airport
From Porto International airport, the quickest, most direct and cheapest way to reach Braga is by bus. There are a number of bus operators running direct services to Braga city centre, taking between 45-60 minutes. Tickets can be booked in advance.
For more information on bus transfers from Porto airport to Braga, the website Rome to Rio can help with assessing the best options.
Train – from Porto City Centre
If you wish to take the train to Braga, you will first need to travel from Porto International airport into the centre of Porto. Trains to Braga depart from São Bento station and are direct to Braga.
Train operator:
Omio
Connection through Lisbon
Braga can also be reached via Lisbon. This involves a high-speed train connection, which takes around 3,5 hours. More information.
There are a range of options for stay in Braga. Here is a selection you might consider. However, we always recommend that you check price comparison websites for the best rates such as booking.com.
