'By 2010 the European Union will have been transformed into the world's most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy with the capacity for sustained economic growth with more and better job opportunities and a higher degree of social inclusion.'

(European Council's Lisbon Declaration 2000)

The basic aim of the VISP project is

to create a new European model for a modern urban infrastructure where lifelong learning is integrated with other civic functions for sustainable, polycentric development - vitalizing city centres.

'a lifelong learning strategy for Europe should aim to:

• Guarantee universal and continuing access to learning
  for sustained participation in the knowledge society
• Visibly raise levels of investment in human resources
  Develop effective teaching and learning methods
• Provide lifelong learning opportunities as close to learners
  as possible, in their own communities and supported through ICT-based facilities wherever appropriate.'
  (European Commission's 'A Memorandum on Lifelong Learning' 2000)