PLACES

OPEN Places is a project funded by the European Commission under the 7th Framework Programme.

The project is coordinated by Ecsite, the European network of science centres and museums, which unites science communication professionals from more than 400 institutions in 50 countries.

The process

• City Partnerships (CPs) will foster functional interactions between local stakeholders to develop effective science communication policies.
  
  CPs arise from science communication institutions forming alliances with local policymakers. There are currently 69 City Partnerships in PLACES representing 27 European countries. These cooperative relationships will yield Local Action Plans targeting science communication policies in European cities and regions.
  CPs will also grow to involve media, non-governmental organizations, universities, research institutions, companies, and more.
  
  
• Local Action Plans (LAPs) will target key challenges in cities based on scientific problem-solving.
  
  LAPs are strategic visions that will inform science communication policy at the local level for many years to come. Developments of LAPs are led by City Partnerships and they address science and technology-related issues relevant to their respective city or region. This is why citizen consultation is also a key step in drafting LAPs.
  
  
• Pilot Activities will test innovative approaches to communicate science-based solutions in cities. Pilot Activities will be developed in connection with Local Action Plans, to test best practices on how to address controversial or problematic local issues in a way that actively involves citizens.
  
  

The RBINS is currently developing its Brussels’ city partnership with several local actors already involved (Bruxelles Environnement/Leefmilieu Brussel, Research in Brussels, VUB, EGEB/SGWB, etc…) It has hosted several events at the Museum of Natural Sciences in the framework of the new management plan for the water in Brussels wished by the Brussels minister of the environment.

On Friday 14th 2011, the RBINS co-organized the final event of the Brussels General States of Water in the framework of the European project PLACES.

This Forum has presented the main outcomes of the citizens consultation on the WATER MANAGEMENT IN BRUSSELS performed during the past months and supported by the Belgian Ministry of the Environment.

The RBINS is also in charge of the Networking Group on “Eco Cities, Green cities and sustainable cities” within PLACES.

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