Przemysław Ciesiółka (p), Michał Męczyński

Iván Tartaruga

The functional and spatial structures of cities are undergoing constant changes related to the adaptation of urbanized areas to changing socio-economic, spatial and institutional conditions. On the one hand, these changes are primarily driven by climate change and the introduction of the zero-emission policy, and on the other, they are caused by growing competitiveness of cities. In turn, cities concentrate innovations, especially eco-innovations. They do not, however, appear naturally in these areas in a dispersed manner but they tend to concentrate in specific places. In large cities, one of such places is the university campus. It is characterized mainly by defined borders, a concentration of diversified and high-quality human capital, scientific and educational infrastructure, and high environmental standards. A concept that describes such a way of city transition well is the idea of a Sustainable Innovation Zone (SIZ).
The purpose of the presentation is twofold; on the one hand, it discusses the role of SIZ in contemporary concepts defining the functional and spatial structures of cities. On the other hand, it demonstrates the pilot results of the research conducted on the Morasko University campus in Poznań (Poland), determining to what extent this area meets the climate challenges of modern times and the creation of eco-innovations. A student survey and a detailed field inventory were used in this regard. The pilot study results indicate that the current use and development of the Morasko campus in Poznań provide opportunities to implement the idea of SIZ. This is determined primarily by the high quality of social capital. However, some limitation is provided by the underfunding of science in Poland and the lack of a vision for university development.

Cátia Faria (p), Paula Remoaldo, Juliana Alves, Helder Lopes

Przemysław Ciesiółka

Given the current challenges associated with mass tourism, the need to practice it in a sustainable way is increasingly a concern. In response to mass segments, Creative Tourism emerged 24 years ago. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, discourses on creativity in urban spaces and concerns about destructive tourist practices called for sustainable tourism practices. In 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network was created. In 2017, the municipality of Barcelos was awarded in the category of crafts and popular arts.
Barcelos is associated with tradition and creativity due to the activities carried out in the municipality, such as pottery, figurative work, embroidery, weaving, wood, iron, basketry, paper pulp and recycling of various materials.
This article aims to analyze the creative activities developed in the city of Barcelos since 2017, and their impact on the city. It is a mixed study in nature and primary and secondary sources were used. At the end of 2023, we started an analysis using the Creative Tourism Network and the website of the Creative City of Barcelos. This was complemented by a focus group with 8 stakeholders. This is the first study about Barcelos Creative City.
Regarding the activities of Barcelos in the Creative Tourism Network and Creative City of Barcelos it was concluded that the existing activities are not limited to handicrafts and popular arts, including green wines, culinary arts, chocolate, and pilgrimages. Throughout the focus group discussion, it was highlighted that:
• The UNESCO award was the most attractive factor and that the touristic and economic impacts are positive.
• Creative Tourism is not widely welcomed by artisans as a means of generating more income. Those who promote their work through Creative Tourism do so because they are encouraged by the city government. Those who welcome tourists said the tourists are motivated to participate in their galleries in the creative process.
• The gallery of artisans is a space of sustainability and it is the way it is organized that attracts the interest of tourists.
• Not all arts are easy for tourists to perform, such as iron art, where the easiest task for tourists is to learn how to weld. Artisans must define which tasks can be carried out by tourists, making the experience creative or whether they can do all the creative activity, as in the case of pottery or figurative work in which clay or painting pieces are made.

Pablo Casas (p), Abián García-Rodríguez, Nicholas Lazarou, Tryfonas Christou, Simone Salotti

Cátia Faria

Poverty remains one of the most pervasive challenges of our time, and its eradication is the foremost aim of Sustainable Development Goal 1. Despite extensive research using various economic models to analyze poverty, there remains a significant gap in literature regarding the spatial economic impact of policy interventions on poverty within the European Union regions. Our study addresses this gap by utilizing the RHOMOLO model, a Computable General Equilibrium Model for EU Regions and Sectors, to assess the implications of policy measures on poverty rates.

The methodology allows for a comprehensive assessment of poverty at a granular regional level, addressing the call for innovative approaches in evaluating SDG achievements. Furthermore, our research provides a tractable analysis of the relationship between policy instruments and poverty reduction, revealing that the integration of socio-economic variables within RHOMOLO can produce critical insights into the effectiveness of SDG-oriented strategies. By linking the SDG framework to RHOMOLO's robust regional economic data, we present an innovative methodology that significantly advances the existing body of knowledge. The approach outlined here sets a precedent for future research and offers a scalable technique for assessing other SDGs, thus enhancing the policy toolkit for regional development and planning.

This paper proposes a novel approach that facilitates a deeper understanding of the regional impact of policies, thereby filling a critical void in the existing literature. Our findings not only contribute to academic discourse but also offer practical guidance for policymakers dedicated to reducing poverty in Europe.

Iván Tartaruga (p), Fernanda Sperotto

Pablo Casas

Historically, the term “rural” has often been construed as an antonym for development and innovation, with the prevailing narrative centring around progress predominantly occurring in urban areas and industries. Sustainable development, too, is frequently associated with industries, cities, and renewable energies. Consequently, actors engaged in rural activities, particularly those within the agri-food sector, such as family farming, have been marginalized and overlooked.
A revision is necessary on two fronts. Firstly, the agri-food sector is crucial for sustainable development, as illustrated by the global ecological footprint. Acknowledging the significant impact of the agri-food sector is imperative, and the active participation of rural actors is essential in formulating solutions. Secondly, inclusiveness and a bottom-up approach in development processes involving a broader spectrum of stakeholders must be emphasised. This approach ensures that a diverse array of experiences contribute to the formulation and implementation of sustainable solutions.
Our objective is to underscore the pivotal role of inclusiveness in fostering sustainable development within agri-food systems. Additionally, the underpinning innovation policies can serve as catalysts for promoting inclusivity, environmental sustainability, and technological advancement. The qualitative research methods used for this aim consist of bibliographic revision in the fields of economic geography and innovation studies and documentary analysis of global trends reports.
Estimates suggest that family farmers form a substantial presence in global agriculture. Representing approximately 90% of the world's farms, totalling over 550 million, occupying 70 to 80% of farmland, and contributing to over 80% of the world's food value. Thus, family farming is crucial in natural resource management, environmental sustainability, and food security. However, despite their pivotal role, it is imperative to acknowledge that in many countries, family farmers struggle with rural poverty.
For this reason, the unity between innovation and socioeconomic inclusion, commonly called inclusive innovations, is essential; two distinct paths emerge for family farmers. The first path involves the creation of innovations for vulnerable groups by entities such as firms, governments, or other institutions, with agri-food start-ups playing a pivotal role in shaping these solutions. The second path involves innovations generated by the very groups they aim to benefit, particularly within domains like agroecology, regenerative agriculture, and similar approaches. In this context, the significance of traditional knowledge becomes evident, stemming from diverse social groups such as indigenous peoples, traditional communities, pastoralists, and others. Meanwhile, the integration of analytical (science-based), synthetic (practical and engineering), and symbolic (creative and cultural) knowledge bases is paramount.