A Europe closer to citizens? The Urban and Territorial Dimension of Cohesion Policy post-2020
T
he URBAN Intergroup together with EUROCITIES and CEMR hosted an event on the urban and territorial dimension of cohesion policy post-2020 on Tuesday, 4th of September 2018. The meeting was organised with regard to the current negotiations of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027 and was designed in two main panels. The first one discussed possible ways of the new cohesion policy framework that would stimulate a truly integrated, place-based development. The latter reflected on improving the delivery of sustainable development strategies within the urban dimension of post-2020 cohesion policy.
The President of URBAN Intergroup, Jan Olbrycht opened the meeting by stating: “Today we will not discuss technicalities but the way we make policy.” Later, he emphasised the main objective: to build Europe, through cohesion policy that is closer to its citizens.
The European Commission representative (DG REGIO) shared a view of a simplified and feasible cohesion policy that would be adaptable to the needs of key beneficiaries.
The Secretary General of EUROCITIES Anna Lisa Boni stated: “We want to deliver faster and better results from cohesion policy for the people.”
Study visit to China
URBAN Intergoup representatives took part in a successful visit to China in July 2018. During one week, the participants gained knowledge, exchanged views and shared ideas on many issues related to sustainability and urban development between European and Chinese cities. Upon arrival in the city of Shenzhen, the first day was dedicated to the study of innovative solutions for urban management concerning water supply and transportation. Shenzhen lies along the eastern part of the Pearl River Delta megalopolis, bordering Hong Kong. The group visited the Shenzhen Integrated Transport Command Centre, a key unit responsible for controlling transport flow in the city of over 12.5 million inhabitants. MEPs saw a real-time data management on smart supervision platform. It allows Chinese authorities to supervise not only the whole fleet of busses (100% electric!) but also underground transport system, as well all available parking spaces in the city. Moreover, participants met representatives of the Shenzhen Water Group, the company responsible for water production, supply and sewage treatment services in the area.
The next day, the group was hosted by Huawei, one of the world’s largest networking and telecommunication companies but also one of the biggest Chinese owned companies. Upon arrival to the headquarters in Shenzhen, the group saw two meaningful expositions. The first one explored company’s R&D sector, which included a showcase of new mobile technologies (5G). The second exhibition of the Industry discussed key components of modern urban planning including Energy, Transportation, Finance and the concept of Smart Cities. Huawei experts explained innovative technologies , which have been developed to increase efficiency of city’s transportation systems including the management of civil aviation in the world’s largest airports. This was followed by a visit to the so-called ‘Road of Digital Transformation’ in the Huawei Enterprise Business Briefing Centre and a workshop in which both sides exchanged views on how new technological discoveries can aid modern urban planning.
The following days, the group had a guided tour over the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition which displays a remarkable multi-faceted transformation of the city over the past decades and discusses the many contemporary solutions for the modern planning of Shanghai. MEPs visited the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Planning and Land Resources, which holds key responsibilities including establishing legal framework for town and country planning. At Shanghai Environment Protection Bureau MEPs meet with authorities responsible for executing environmentally friendly policies acting against the proliferation of air pollution. MEPs had as well the opportunity to discover Shanghai as one of the biggest world’s transport hub by visiting the Shanghai Yangshan Deep Water Port. This world’s biggest automated container terminal built in 2017 one two islands is connected with the mainland by the 32,5 km long Donhai Bridge, the longest sea bridge in the world.
Presentation of the URBACT program at the European Parliament in Brussels- January 10th
We are pleased to invite you to attend the presentation of the URBACT program and its contribution to the URBAN Intergroup’s legislative discussions and reflections on urban affairs and the new Cohesion Policy
On Wednesday January 10th
From 13.00 to 15.00 at the European Parliament in Brussels
Room JAN 6Q2
Instrument of the European Cohesion Policy, URBACT is a European Territorial Cooperation programme co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the Member/Partner States of the European Union since 2002.
URBACT finances and enables local authorities to work together to develop new and sustainable solutions to major urban challenges, through networking activities, knowledge-sharing, and capacity-building for urban practitioners.
Funding for energy renovation as a stimulus for urban regeneration- last event in Brussels
The URBAN Intergroup and Renovate Europe organized a joint event on the topic Funding for Energy Renovation as a Stimulus for Urban Regeneration on Tuesday 26th September. The event was held in the context of the ongoing negotiations on the review of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, due to be voted in the EP early October, and sought to draw a link with available funding and opportunities to help Member States implement buildings-related legislation, through the Juncker Fund, the EIB and the current and possibly the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework, but also raising awareness about successful local initiatives.
“Energy renovation projects in urban areas is like inviting a whole city to go on an Easter egg hunt, to uncover the hidden treasures and multiple benefits that can be unlocked”, said Claire Roumet, Executive Director of Energy Cities. “Energy renovation can completely change the metabolism of a city – the positive impacts can be so significant that it can lead to a complete urban transformation, at all levels.”
MEP Jan Olbrycht, President of the URBAN Intergroup, acknowledged the key role of energy renovation as an opportunity to roll-out a comprehensive urban strategy with the aim of tackling energy poverty, boosting social cohesion and triggering local jobs. But MEP Olbrycht was also keen to emphasise the need that urban regeneration be an inclusive process which preserves the patrimonial heritage and improves the quality of living for all residents involved.
“Energy renovation can and must serve as entry point to engage the local community to interact on a common discussion that goes wider than just buildings and housing, to improve quality of life for all”, agreed Claire Roumet.
The redistributional value of targeted renovations is well-known, delivering undeniable benefits to lower income groups through lower energy bills and improved living standards. But this urban regeneration also occurs in skyscraper-filled business quartiers needing a much-needed human touch, or high density residential areas thirsty for more green spaces or community facilities.
Presentation of UNESCO Global Report on Culture for Sustainable Urban Development – event in Brussels on May 2nd
Last Tuesday URBAN Intergroup in cooperation with MEP Bogdan Wenta and UNESCO organised a presentation of UNESCO publication Culture: Urban Future. This is the first Global Report to explore the role of Culture for Sustainable Urban Development.
This report, which has been launched at the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) in Quito (Ecuador) in October 2016, provides a policy framework to support national and local governments in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as the New Urban Agenda.
Drawing on a global survey implemented with nine regional partners and insights from scholars, NGOs and urban thinkers, the report offers a global overview of urban heritage safeguarding, conservation and management, as well as the promotion of cultural and creative industries, highlighting their role as resources for sustainable urban development. The publication concludes with the Atlas which includes 22 sub-regional maps situating the cities belonging to UNESCO networks around the world.
Bogdan Wenta, member of the URBAN Intergroup, opened the event by underlying that the 2030 Agenda and the new Sustainable Development Goals recognize the transformative role of culture in many areas like education, sustainable cities, environment, gender equality or health and food safety. More than half of this 17 goals are culture-related, also because they include the issues of cultural heritage and cultural diversity. “Also in the new European Consensus on Development that will be very strongly interlinked with the SDGs, we are putting an emphasis on the protection and promotion of culture”- said Wenta.
