1. EU Urban Policy: An overview Dr. Haroon Saad Director QeC-ERAN

2. EU Urban Policy Structure of Presentation An historical overview Key elements Where we are now Key Drivers/Trends

3. EU Urban Policy Historical Overview (1) EU has formal responsibility for Regional Policy under the treaty –No Urban Policy – the urban dimension in the cohesion policy 1991 Member states rejected proposal for the EU to have responsibility for urban matters

4. EU Urban Policy Historical Overview (2.) Five stages of Policy Development Stage one: 1975-1988 – territorial differences on EU Agenda ERDF Created (1975) Single European Act. (1981) Regional Policy = 20% of EU Budget

5. EU Urban Policy Historical Overview (3.) Stage two: 1989-1994 – Emergence of the Urban Agenda –Cohesion funds created – linked to entry of Spain, Greece and Portugal in 1986 –Urban Pilot Projects

6. EU Urban Policy Historical Overview (4.) Stage three: 1994-1999 – Consolidating the Urban Agenda –Structural funds increased to nearly 33% of EU Budget (1993) –Urban Programme –« Towards an Urban Agenda in the EU » - Position Paper (1997/1998) –« Sustainable Urban Development in the EU : A framework for action » –EU Urban Forum

7. EU Urban Policy Historical Overview (5.) Stage four: 2000-2006 – Recognising the contribution of cities –Urbact II –Urban Audit –Objective Two rules amended 7.7% of resources aimed at Urban Regeneration –Lille Programme (2000) –Copenhagen Charter (2002) –EP Intergroup on Urban Policy –Bristol Accord (2005)

8. EU Urban Policy Key Elements (1.) Integrate local potential into strategies for urban and regional development Develop an integrated approach to policy Co-ordinate strategies for urban and regional development and support public/private partnerships Strengthen public participation in policy making

9. EU Urban Policy Key Elements (2.) Promote culture: diversity and identity Draw upon local traditions Adopt sustainable long-term perspectives Ensure access to transport, jobs, housing, education and social services

10. EU Urban Policy Where we are now (1.) Staff paper – Cohesion Policy and Cities: The Urban contribution to strategy for growth and jobs Building on the strengths of the urban initiating, the commission intends to reinforce the place of urban issues by fully integrating actions in this field into the Regional programmes (General Regulations part 3) No Urban Programme

11. EU Urban Policy Where we are now (2.) « the Urban Method » –Continuation of « the Urban Method » to deprived urban areas through an integrated and participative approach is supported (ERDF. Reg article 8)

12. EU Urban Policy Where we are now (3.) Urban dimension could include actions such as: –Improving physical environment, including brown field –Preserving historical and cultural heritage –Promoting entrepreurship and local employment –Community development –Providing services to specific demographic groups Up to 15% of funds set aside for sustainable urban development can be used to support ESF type projects

13. EU Urban Policy Strategic guidelines, programming and follow-up 1.Community’s strategic guidelines on cohesion Proposed by the Commission, adopted by the Council, assent by the European Parliament 2. National strategic reference framework Proposed by the Member State in applying the partnership principle: reflects on the Union’s orientations, lays down a national strategy and its programming: finally decided by the commission

14. EU Urban Policy Strategic guidelines, programming and follow-up (cont.) 3. Operational Programme One programmeby fund and Member State or region, description of priorities, management and financial sources: proposed by Member State or region: finally decided by the commission 4. Programme Management and Project Selection By Member States and regions: « shared management » principle = concertation with the Commission 5. Strategic follow-up and annual debate By the European Council in Spring; based on and annual report of the Commission and Member States

15. EU Urban Policy Where we are now (4.) The National Strategic Reference Frameworks –The national strategic reference frameworks should include priorities related to sustainable urban development among the thematic and territorial priorities, where appropriate (Gen. Reg. Article 25.4.b) –If no sustainable urban development priorities have been included in the NSRF, the Member State should explain why they consider this not to be relevant

16. EU Urban Policy Where we are now (5.) Operational Programmes - in the Convergence and the Regional Competitiveness Objective –OP should include an integrated plan for sustainable urban development, where appropriate (gen.reg.article 36.4 and 5) –An integrated plan should include a clear description of urban development priorities –OP can also contain a priority dedicated to urban issues, which includes a list of cities/urban areas and a description of the sub- delegation procedure

17. EU Urban Policy Where we are now (6.) Financial Engineering –JESSICA: Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas –JEREMIE: Joint European Resources for Micro to Medium Enterprises –JASPERS: Joint Assistance in Supporting Projects in European Regions

18. EU Urban Policy Key Drivers and Trends Demographic Change Migration and Integration Globalisation Labour Market Segmentation and Restructuring Transport Flows New Energy Paradigm Urban Sprawl