High growth cities with different demographic dimension face important difficulties in driving economic and social development in a balanced and sustainable way. The STREAM Cities project promotes a strong participatory planning methodology which identifies the stakeholders and develops interactive dialogue with them through public meetings in three phases: the analysis of the local needs and potentialities, the identification of the main urban challenges to be addressed, and the development of urban action plans. This methodology encourages a suitable strategic approach to face the urban challenges in MEDA countries.

The overall objective of the STREAM Cities project is to develop an innovative approach in Urban Strategic Planning where the participatory approach in policy development is real and effective. This approach represents an important answer to the new challenges of urban development and for an effective urban governance.

The main specific objective will be the development of a tool (which will be called STREAM tool) to support the decision makers in policy definition. This tool will be simple and effective based on the concrete needs of the decision makers and all stakeholders. It provides (1) a total compliance of the solutions and plans with the existing legislation and programmes, and ensures that (2) all stakeholders will be involved in the decision making during the policy and programme definition

1. Identification of relevant legislation and programmes relevant for the solutions and plans. Assessing the needs of adequate administrative capacity to implement it
2. Involvement of all stakeholders in the decision making process with real and effective use of the feedbacks from the public meetings to be taken into due consideration during the policy formulation.

Elaboration of a self assessment kit with a check list to clearly identify if point (1) and (2) are fully implemented. Most relevant results of the effective implementation of the STREAM tool is a sustainable urban growth, with improvement of the quality of life and social cohesion, where social participation to the development of local dynamics shows its effectiveness, because the real involvement of the public guarantees the acceptance of the urban strategic and sector plans.

This project will also contribute to improve qualifications through the transfer of key knowledge and skills for the local public administration in order to re-produce the action in other municipalities of the same country and of the MEDA regions.