In 2003, partners from across North West Europe formed the Sustainable and Accessible Urban Landscapes (SAUL) Project to explore the role of socially inclusive spaces in the sustainable development of metropolitan regions. The key themes of the project are planning through partnerships leading towards a new planning culture and the transnational value of the 'learning region' approach, leading to stronger integration between regions. The project is part-funded by the European Union’s Interreg IIIB programme for North West Europe (NWE). Interreg encourages closer European co-operation and integration through transnational spatial development initiatives which promote sustainable development. (2003-2008).