The aim of Urban Habitats is to improve availability and quality of urban natural spaces and enhance awareness and engagement of urban nature by local communities. This space is essential for the quality of the urban living environment, offering outdoor recreation possibilities and contributing to conservation of nature and biodiversity in urbanised areas.The partnership is composed of four actors managing urban nature sites in The Netherlands, UK and Flanders. They have all noticed that as a result of growing economic activity and population levels, the sparsely available natural space has been under increasing pressure. Urban Habitats partners will design tailor-made measures to improve the quality of each others Urban Habitat sites and the publics experience of them. They will then develop tools to raise public awareness of the challenges urban natural areas, such as local campaigns and an education package. Results and findings will then be actively disseminated to nature management professionals, policy makers and politicians in the 2 Seas area. Achievements: What were the key results of the project?Key results are:- 4 improved Urban Habitats sites- 1 Final Report listing all 4 site specific recommendations- 1 Development Strategy- 4 Awareness campaigns- 1 Education package- 1 joint event The Big Picture- 1 Evaluation of the effect measurements- 1 Final Report listing all results from activity 2: Public awareness and engagementDid all partners and territories benefit from the results?All partners (HHSK, VLM, RSPB) and Southendand all 3 Territories (NL, BE, UK) where the partners are located are beneficiaries: The local inhabitants of these regions (Groot-Rijnmond, Ghent, Oostende, Essex, Thurrock, Southend-on-Sea), and particularly the school children who received more attention and additional focus due to The Big Picture; The professionals in urban nature management in these same regions; The politicians and key policy makers were informed of the project, and received invitations for all Conferences.The benefits for each territory are:1. An improved urban habitat (Kralingse Plas, Krekengebied Oostende & Oude Kale; South Essex Marshes Southend Country Park);2. More attention from the local public for these existing habitats;3. More knowledge and understanding from schoolchildren about their environment and responsible use;4. More attention for the fact that the partners have a specific and important role in this area, and with the assistance of Europe the living circumstances of the local public is enhanced.What were the effects / outcomes for the territories involved?The effect for all Territories involved is that the public is more aware of the existing habitats, the effort it takes to maintain this, and the fact that the partners and Europe feel responsible and assist (financially) to provide healthy and enjoyable living surroundings.