The Sustainable & Integrated Urban Development Strategy (EDUSI) is financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). In Spain, this action tool is within the framework of the Pluriregional Operational Programme of Spain 2014-2020 (P.O.P.E.), specifically in axes 12 and 13.

Cities are places where daily life activities and human interactions take place. As they provided labour and services and as catalysts for the whole Union’s creativity and innovation, cities constituted the engines of the European economy. Around 70% of the Union’s inhabitants live in urban zones, which generate more than two-thirds of the EU’s GDP income. However, they are also places where long-lasting problems are concentrated, such as unemployment and discrimination, as well as the strongest environmental pressures. Therefore, the urban area-related policies undertaken are so important for the Union as a whole.

It is becoming increasingly evident that the different challenges that are facing urban zones—economic, environmental, climatic, social, and demographic challenges—are interrelated, and successful urban development can only be achieved through an integrated approach. Therefore, cities’ physical renewal-related measures should be combined with measures that promote education, economic development, social inclusion, and environmental conservation. The development of strong cooperation between citizens, civil society, the local economy, and diverse government institutions are necessary conditions. The combination of both local skills and knowledge is essential for identifying shared solutions, achieving sustainable results, and properly recognising them.

This approach is particularly crucial in today's world, given the significant challenges European cities are currently facing. These challenges range from concrete demographic changes to the consequences of an economic slowdown regarding not only employment creation and service offerings but also climate change. Identifying effective solutions to these challenges will be crucial to achieving the intelligent, sustainable, and integrating society expected in the “Europe 2020 strategy”.

The 2014-2020 cohesion policy aims driving Integrated Strategies for improving sustainable urban development in order to strengthen cities’ resilience and ensuring both investment funded by European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI).

The EDUSI are written as the following development outline:

• 1º Problem Awareness
• 2º Integrated Analysis
• 3º Priorities and Goals Awareness and Analysis (CIVIC PARTICIPATION)
• 4º Results Expected
• 5º Delimit Policy Area
• 6º Action Plan (TOWN HALL EMPLOYEES PARTICIPATION)
• 7º Monitoring and Evaluation Indicators