REGIONAL POLICY EUROPEAN COMMISSION The urban dimension : State of play and perspectives Władysław Piskorz DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR REGIONAL POLICY Directorate for Policy Development Brussels, Cities of tomorrow, December 2010
REGIONAL POLICY EUROPEAN COMMISSION Promoting sustainable urban development in Europe: 1. 1.The urban dimension of EU Regional policy The urban dimension in the future cohesion policy
REGIONAL POLICY EUROPEAN COMMISSION 1. The urban dimension of EU Regional policy (1) Operational Programmes –Mainstreaming of the URBAN Community Initiative (Art. 8 of Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006) Spreading the methodological concept to cities and regions across Europe All cities eligible in all three cohesion policy objectives –But: No automatism for urban actions within OPs or for access to funding –Need for cooperation between cities and their (regional/national) Managing Authorities
REGIONAL POLICY EUROPEAN COMMISSION 1. The urban dimension of EU Regional policy (2) 1.Strengths Urban development as an important topic in many OPs More funding available (10bn for urban priority axes) Financial engineering (JESSICA) 2.Weaknesses Strong sectoral focus, without integrated approach (asymmetry between EU-15 and EU-12) Only few signs of direct local involvement Insufficient use of positive experience from URBAN
REGIONAL POLICY EUROPEAN COMMISSION 1. The urban dimension of EU Regional policy (3) Insufficient participation in the programming and ownership of actions Participation mainly formal & informal consultation of institutional actors in programming phase. Majority of municipalities absent in drafting of OPs Citizens rarely have ownership of projects
REGIONAL POLICY EUROPEAN COMMISSION 2. Perspectives for the urban dimension in the future cohesion policy (1) Main elements (I): An improved urban mainstreaming Thematic alignment with Europe 2020 objectives
REGIONAL POLICY EUROPEAN COMMISSION 2. Perspectives for the urban dimension in the future cohesion policy (2) contribution to Europe 2020 developing metropolitan structures and strengthening the links between innovation strategies and urban development (smart growth); promoting green, compact and energy-efficient cities (sustainable growth); combating multiple deprivation, poverty and the segregation of ethnic groups and rehabilitating disadvantaged urban areas (inclusive growth); addressing ageing population issues and demographic change in cities (inclusive growth).
REGIONAL POLICY EUROPEAN COMMISSION 2. Perspectives for the urban dimension in the future cohesion policy (3) A stronger role for cities in implementing cohesion policy (in programming and decision-making) A more functional approach to programming Targeted actions for areas suffering from multiple deprivation/disadvantaged neighbourhoods Integrated approach (legacy of URBAN – Art.8!) Supporting the implementation through European networking (better use of URBACT) Financial engineering instruments
REGIONAL POLICY EUROPEAN COMMISSION 2. Perspectives for the urban dimension in the future cohesion policy (4) Urban regeneration principles integrated approach local empowerment tailor-made solutions
REGIONAL POLICY EUROPEAN COMMISSION Thank you very much for your attention! i