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Compact Cities
Sustainable Urban Planning and Sprawl Mitigation
News
Call for partners
The call for partners for the Thematic Partnership on Compact Cities is now closed. All applications will be thoroughly reviewed by the EAA expert, with particular attention to ensuring a balanced representation of stakeholders, geographical diversity across Europe, and a range of urban authority sizes. Following approval by the DGUM in November 2025, the partnership will be officially established and is set to begin its work in early 2026.
Support to applicants
Applicant Seminar
An online applicant seminar took place on 3 September where interested stakeholders got more information about the application process as well as what to expect from a Thematic Partnership within the Urban Agenda for the EU.
Frequently asked questions
Consult our dedicated online FAQ document to find answers to frequently asked questions about the UAEU Call for Partners for the new Thematic Partnership. This FAQ is based on real inquiries from previous partnership applicants as well as questions asked during the online applicant seminar. It is designed to assist you throughout the application process. If you can't find the answer you are looking for, you can submit your questions here!
About the Thematic Area
The thematic area of "Compact Cities – Sustainable Urban Planning and Sprawl Mitigation" focuses on promoting dense, efficient, and sustainable urban development as a response to the widespread challenge of urban sprawl across Europe. Sprawl, characterised by low-density, car-dependent, and fragmented land use, imposes significant environmental, economic, and social costs—ranging from biodiversity loss and increased greenhouse gas emissions to higher infrastructure costs and transport poverty. The compact city model offers an alternative by emphasising spatial planning strategies that limit greenfield development (containment), make better use of existing urban areas (densification), and regenerate under-used spaces (regeneration).
This thematic area recognises that urban form is shaped by complex interactions between demand and supply drivers, including demographic trends, economic incentives, governance structures, and planning instruments. A key focus is on multi-level governance and the coordination of policies—particularly in transport, housing, and environment—that influence urban expansion. Special attention is given to the unique challenges faced by small and medium-sized cities, the role of public space design in liveability, and the integration of socio-economic and environmental goals. Ultimately, the Compact Cities theme seeks to equip local, regional, and national authorities with the tools and collaborative frameworks needed to implement sustainable and inclusive urban planning.
If you want to explore the topic further, read the interview with the Ex-Ante Assessment expert.