Policy brief: A territorial approach to transitioning towards a circular economy

A more detailed overview of the policies supporting small and medium-sized towns and cities, as well as the pathways pursued by the towns and cities showcased to manage their growth, can be found in the working paper of ESPON – ‘Small and medium-sized towns and cities: Policies strengthening their role in achieving active, inclusive, and functional territories’. [...] 4 ESPON // espon.eu Policy Brief // Role of small and medium-sized towns and cities in territorial development and cohesion 2 EU and national policies targeting small and medium-sized towns and cities The European perspective The URBACT IV programme (2021–2027) supports cities to tackle the green, just and digital transitions through As stated by the European Commission,4 cohesion policy networkin. [...] 6 European Commission (2021), Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – A long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas: Towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040. [...] The success of the Spanish city Soria in that respect is due, Pathway 2: supporting territorial on the one hand, to the density of cultural heritage services cooperation between small and and activities, and, on the other, to intangible assets inherent medium-sized towns and cities to many small cities, such as quality of life, the balance between family life and work, strong social relationships. [...] This new territorial contract should contribute to the preservation of biodiversity, the provision of public services, and the redistribution of opportunities and wealth, to care for the territory and the most vulnerable people, to guarantee gender equality and to contribute to the retention of talent, especially young people.