Urban challenges opportunities for cities in Europe Peter Austin Urban Development dept. 25.11.2014
Urban engagement: building knowledge, ideas and policy in a European context Outline International working from a city / region Oslo s experiences with Urbact II European urban policy Opportunities for Norwegian towns and cities Peri-urban settlements, Vienna region New business park, Prague
International cooperation built on networks and joint projects Network Established networks, eg: EUROCITIES, METREX, Nordic networks, IFHP, ISOCARP, EUKN etc. Ad hoc: Participants from projects, courses etc. Project EU-funded, EEA funding, Joint funding (PPP, crowd funding etc), National / local support Own funding Thematic content: EU programmes, national and local policy Results Knowledge: empirical findings, analysis of causes and spatial aspects Recommendations: project participants, stakeholders, national bodies New (international) networks as basis for further action
A local framework for international innovation Policy support at home is essential Priorities, networks and levels Flexibility Substantial thematic knowledge Active engagement Continuity EUROCITIES network on Metropolitan Areas, ad hoc meeting in European Parliament, 2014 OECD report on metropolitan governance, presented in Brno, 2014
Oslo: 3 Urbact II projects City Logo CityLogo is a transnational learning experience on citybranding and -marketing in modern urban politics. Utrecht LP / 2012-2015 Sustainable Food Developing low-carbon and resource-efficient urban food systems, by focusing on three areas: growing, delivering and enjoying food. Brussels Environment LP / 2012-2015 EVUE II Development of integrated, sustainable strategies and dynamic leadership techniques for cities to promote the use of electric vehicles. Wesminster (London) LP / 2013-2016
Value added, for improved solutions at home Expertise in complex questions network as a resource for use Peer reviews and comparisons benchmarking for development Local action plan New arena for local collaboration and involvement Basic financing (but no more)
Urban policy must address major disparities, between regions and within cities
(Central) Urban Europe has changed Source: Tosics, MRI, 2014
Connectedness I Planned motorways 1936 Source: Tosics, MRI, 2014
Connectedness II Completed motorways 1996 Source: Tosics, MRI, 2014
At-risk-of-poverty rate by degree of urbanisation, 2012 Urban advantage Urban disadvantage
Projected population change, 2010-2050 Baseline scenario, DEMIFER (ESPON)
«If our neighbours succeed, then we can do pretty well too» Kurt Puchinger coordinator for Centrope and Danube Macro Region, former chief planner, Vienna,
European Urban Policy A long story Urban Pilot Projects (ERDF), 1989-1999 URBAN I (1994-99), URBAN II (2000-2006) «community initiatives, sustainable integrated development of deprived urban districts», hard and soft approaches, including stakeholders and citizens European Spatial Development Perspective (ESPD), 1999 Polycentricity, importance of strategic planning, ESPON Informal ministerial meetings on urban development: Lille (2000), Rotterdam (2004), Bristol (2005), Leipzig (2007) Leipzig Charter (2007) on Sustainable European Cities integrated approach to urban development, to remedy vicious circle of urban poverty and deprivation Toledo Declaration (2010) link urban issues to wider policy objectives under EU2020 Urbact Program (2002-today) Cohesion Policy Social Cohesion Territorial Cohesion (2011) Territorial Agenda, TA2020 linking Territorial Cohesion with EU2020 Cities of Tomorrow DG Regio synthesis report, 2011 Urban Agenda launched February 2014
Cities of Tomorrow Cities are key to the sustainable development of the EU Most urbanised region of the world, engines of national economies, outdated boundaries, cities as key players The European model of sustainable urban development is under threat Demographics, economic decline and income disparities, social polarisation and segregation, social exclusion, urban sprawl, urban ecosystems Opportunities to turn threats into positive challenges Sustainable local economies, resilient and inclusive economies, potential of diversity, energy poverty and better housing, energy and climate synergy, key role of smaller towns and cities, attractive public open spaces New forms of governance to respond to urban challenges Holistic model og sustainable urban development, adaptation to changing circumstances, working across sectors, horizontal and vertical coordination, involving citizens and stakeholders, social innovation, constructive use of foresight
EU Urban Agenda Integrating policies and funding streams, adapted to each city s needs Better local involvement at all stages Stronger national support for urban issues EU as facilitator
Your project partners will see Urbact in a wider context Agreements in place by end of 2014 EU budget and regulations Program details Partnership agreements between EU and members states Source: GmbH & EPRC, for European Commission, Sept 2014, URL: www.europarl.europa.eu/studies, p.46
Understand the context of your partners! European & national levels Project network Policies Issues Learning Projects Policy development Support City / town Learning Implementation Support Network Influence
Advantages of Urbact 2-3 fases Lead Expert Commitment to local network Commitment to action plan
Opportunities for Norwegian towns and cities All the advantages given above Inspiration! Learning! In-depth analysis! Review and development of methodology Use the results in your own city! Knowledge and influence vis à vis EU and national level Requires organised and continuous work at home