MP4 focuses on innovative approaches for planning and designing, maintaining and using public places. The project aim is to demonstrate how open space improvements offer positive socio-economic benefits, and how the benefits offered to key communities can be maintained in the long run (‘place-keeping'). In cooperation with key EU policymakers and networks, the project activities illustrate support for greater interaction between all those involved in the open space management process.

The project will create and promote model agreements for partnerships and social enterprises and implement 8 urban regeneration projects. As an end result the project will develop an EU-level Agenda for place-keeping and mainstream best practice across the North Sea Region.

Recent flooding has demonstrated the vulnerability of North Sea Region. Municipalities have an urgent need to reduce flood risk, but lack a framework and the resources. The project is focusing on developing a transnational methodology to implement urban Flood Risk Management (FRMP) in four countries.

The project will thereby support national policy making related to the European Floods Directive and beyond. The main result will be a transnational methodology for FRM planning applicable in urban environments. In addition, the focus on long-term perspective on Climate change adaptation provides a practical follow-up to the EC green paper on climate change.