The Rio Conference in 1992, followed by Johannesburg in 2002, has set up the principle of sustainable development. Firms, NGOs, Governments, Local Authorities, are nowadays often involved in reaching higher standards of « sustainability ». As consultants dealing with issues of urban and regional development, we are often required to help designing policies for a better sustainability.

Cities/Regions have to assess their international situation, depending on their major actors (businesses, universities, public services..,), their competitors and partners, in order to design a collective strategy for their territory and its different decision makers.