METREX Lisbon Conference Cancelled

Update 9 April 2020

Update on the METREX Lisbon Conference – Covid-19 Virus
The current situation has made us decide to finally cancel the METREX Lisbon Conference. We will discuss with the Lisbon team the opportunity to have their presentations via MS Teams and, later this year, a possible meeting combined with the foreseen EMA conference in Porto in November 2020.

Again, we thank AML, and in particular Joseph Azevedo and Filipe Ferreira, with whom we have been working on the conference programme and logistics. During the development of the conference we have experienced their warmth, hospitality and support – they were eager to host and learn from you all.

We thank you for your patience and understanding.

Update 19 March 2020

Update on the METREX Lisbon Conference – Covid-19 Virus
With the continued spread of the Covid-19 virus and increasingly restrictive measures being taken across Europe, METREX is unfortunately not in a position to indicate a workable date for the Lisbon Conference to take place.

This decision has been led by our host, Área Metropolitana de Lisboa (AML), in response to recommendations given by the General Health Directorate in Portugal and in compliance with the Contingency Plan for the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon.

In due course and, upon indications from the General Health Directorate, we will communicate further details regarding a possible revised date for the conference.

We cannot stress enough our thanks to AML, and in particular Joseph Azevedo and Filipe Ferreira, with whom we have been working on the conference programme and logistics. During the development of the conference we have experienced their warmth, hospitality and support – they were eager to host and learn from you all.

We thank you for your patience and understanding.

Virtual Expert Groups – 30 March 2020

While it is not possible for us to meet in Lisbon, we are exploring the opportunity for the Expert Groups to meet via video conferencing. We have proposed the following times for the groups to meet on 30 March 2020:

• Nordic Network – 30 March 10:00-12:00 (CET)
• Metropolitan Governance – 30 March at 12:00-13:00 (CET)
• From Roads to Streets – 30 March 12:30-13:30 (CET)
• Metropolitan Landscapes – 30 March at 14:00-15:00 (CET)
• SURE – 30 March at 16:00-17:00 (CET)

We are working on the practicalities of this but if you are interested in taking part in one or more of these meetings, please contact Stephen Gallagher on stephen.gallagher@eurometrex.org.
 

Update 6 March 2020

As you will be aware, the continued spread of the Coronavirus is affecting travel and events across Europe. The authorities in Portugal have issued strong guidelines regarding events and as such we have no alternative other than to postpone the METREX Lisbon Conference.

Those of you already registered for the Urban Future Global Conference (UFGC20) may already be aware that they have taken the decision to cancel the 2020 edition of their event and focus on their next planned event in Rotterdam in 2021.

However, we are keen to stress that we intend to find a suitable date later in 2020 to hold the Lisbon Conference. We hope to be in touch in the next week or two to announce new dates.

We apologise if this postponement causes any issues. If you have any questions, please get in touch with Stephen Gallagher on stephen.gallagher@eurometrex.org.

Best wishes

METREX and AML

Hosted by

METREX Conference in Lisbon 2020

We are very excited to announce that the Área Metropolitana de Lisboa (AML) will host the METREX Spring 2020 Conference, which will take place on Monday 30th to Tuesday 31 March 2020.

Urban Future Global Conference 2020

The conference will coincide with the Urban Future Global Conference 2020 (UFGC20) that formally starts on 1 April. In the meantime, check their website for further details.

Territorial Sustainable Development: New Solutions for a Better Europe

In the European Union, more than 70% of the population lives in urban areas and it is likely to reach 80% by 2050. According to EUROSTAT (2016), in 2012/2013 metropolitan regions with more than one million inhabitants generated about 47% of European GDP, whereas taking into consideration all metropolitan regions the figure reached around 68%. These urban realities represent a plurality of challenges that must be addressed by countries but also by regions, metropolitan areas and cities.

The document “Global Trends to 2030 – Challenges and Choices for Europe” identifies the following mega-trends that must be dealt with:

• CLIMATE CHANGE Due to an increase in temperature of 1.5 degrees compared to preindustrial times, we will incur economic and environmental damage.
• DEMOGRAPHY Both Europe and Africa face demographic challenges: while we will need to manage an ageing population, our southern neighbours will need to manage a significant youth bulge.
• URBANISATION Two-thirds of people will live in small-to medium-sized cities – where this is not managed properly, it will lead to crime, pollution and violence.
• ECONOMIC GROWTH China will be the first global economy, and Europe will be third – but our purchasing power per head will be almost four times higher.
• ENERGY CONSUMPTION Energy consumption will increase globally by 1.7% per year – most of this will take place in rising economies, and therefore contribute to even greater emissions.
• CONNECTIVITY The number of devices connected to the internet will have increased five-fold to 125bn, and the number of air passengers will nearly double. Everything humans do, good and bad, will be amplified.

These global trends are challenges that must be addressed by sound and effective public policies that comprehend a multilevel approach that provides the better solutions in the most effective governance level. In this place-based approach, it is undeniable the role that must be addressed and provided by metropolitan regions and areas.

In Lisbon Metropolitan Area (LMA) we are addressing these challenges by an integrated policy approach that enhances the role of territorial stakeholders. Regarding this, LMA mission is to contribute to the promotion of sustainable and integral development, territorial and socio-economic cohesion, the improvement of quality of life in the municipalities that integrate it. Regarding LMA implementation strategy, it is based on the following operational framework:

• Increase the work capacity of territory management and stakeholder involvement, supported in a Metropolitan Sustainable Development Strategy (Regional Strategy LMA 2030)
• Development and implementation with territorial stakeholders of the Metropolitan Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change (PMAAC -AML)
• Improve the system of services and intelligent transport systems mobility and transport and implement LMA framework as Metropolitan Transport Authority
• Management of LMA ITI, acting as an Intermediate body regarding ESIF.

At the METREX Spring 2020 Conference we will work together to find new solutions regarding the main challenges that metropolitan regions and areas must address with a strong focus on Climate Adaptation, Transport and Mobility and Multi-level Governance.

Conference Overview

Image of Lisbon by TeeFarm via Pixabay