Brussels, 22/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - European Union citizens have been invited to give their views on what shape EU urban policy should take (see EUROPE 11116). The European Commission has launched a public consultation (from 18-26 September) and has adopted a communication on the Urban Dimension of EU Policies, which outlines the main features characterising an EU programme.
The Commission says that this initiative (public consultation) follows on from a growing number of calls for more involvement by cities in the design of EU policies and a greater coherence in the way Europe's institutions tackle urban challenges.
The communication describes the situation of cities across the EU and urban policies in the member states as well as the global dimension of urbanisation. It stresses that an EU urban agenda should reflect the EU's overall objectives and must also complement national policies in the member states. Johannes Hahn, responsible for EU regional policy stated: “From pollution to poverty, from unemployment to energy, we cannot confront Europe's challenges or achieve its goals unless we tackle these issues in Europe's cities. An EU Urban Agenda must respect subsidiarity - but where we can improve EU policies, by strengthening the urban dimension, we should do this, as well as giving Europe's cities a bigger role as partners for the EU”. The commissioner believes that, by raising the profile of towns and cities in our policymaking, “the EU will respond more effectively to the changing needs not only of those who live in urban areas but the many who live outside cities but depend on their services”.
Currently, 359 million people (72 % of the total EU population) live in cities, towns and suburbs, but according to the communication this proportion is likely to reach more than 80% by 2050, despite the fact that urbanisation has slowed down. The communication states that over two-thirds of all EU policies directly or indirectly affect towns and cities - such as in the fields of transport, energy, and environment.
The public consultation (http://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/pc_eu_urb_agenda ) asks such questions as: Why have an EU urban agenda? How tight a focus should it have? Where can EU action bring most added value? Should cities be involved in policymaking? And if so how?
Even though many EU institutions (European Parliament, Committee of the Regions, European Economic and Social Committee) have called for an EU level policy, the Commission acknowledges in the communication that “a significant number of stakeholders consider that the future EU urban programme should respect the subsidiarity principle and not be based on new legislation”.
The Commission, however, believes that an EU-level urban programme should help contribute to a number of objectives: improving the quality, efficiency and results of policies by way of improved coordination of policies, stakeholders and levels of governance (this will also help towards developing a better understanding of the urban development concept during the stages involving the devising and implementation of policies); enhancing cities' engagement in the process for elaborating and implementing European and national level policies; ensuring that the development of urban areas is done in a sustainable way at social, environmental and territorial levels. (LC)