Parallel Workshop Session:

1. Parallel Workshop Session: Reflections on “blue” development opportunities related to European seas, coasts, islands and the mainland Workshop 3: Sustainable development ESPON Open Seminar 2014 “Opportunities and threats for territorial cohesion: Blue Growth and Urban Poverty"

2. 14h00 Welcome by facilitator, Estelle Evrard, ECP Luxembourg 14h05 Presentation by ESPON project teams (10 min each) ESaTDOR – European seas and territorial development, opportunities and risks, David Shaw TRACC – Transport accessibility at local/regional scale and patterns in Europe, Klaus Spiekermann North Sea STAR – Spreading transnational results, Lynne Mc Gonnan 14h35 Remark and opening up of discussion (facilitator Estelle Evrard) 14h55 Rounding (Estelle Evrard) Flow of Workshop 3

3. Blue Growth • A long-term strategy that embraces economic, social and environmental aspects of Europe’s seas • The integrated Maritime Policy’s contribution to achieving the goals of Europe 2020 for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth • A path for cohesion policy to enlarge its scope of action Sustainable development • The development of Europe’s blue economy in a more resource efficient, greener and more competitive way. • It requires the development of new processes and technologies for instance to decarbonise the economy, the modernisation of the transport sector, the improvement of the business environment and assisting consumers to value resource efficiency. Setting the scene

4. Questions to be addressed by presenters and in discussion: What are main territorial trends or observations (from your project) in relation to sustainable development of the blue economy? What opportunities and challenges exist for Europe and its regions (according to your project findings) for increasing competitiveness through sustainable growth of the blue economy? Which additional evidence is needed for policy makers to better cater for sustainable growth in the context of the blue economy? Setting the scene