WRITTEN QUESTION E-1426/03 by Ulrich Stockmann (PSE) to the Commission. EU support for urban renewal and redevelopment.
Date: 2003-04-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU policy, Structural Funds, support policy, town planning, urban infrastructure, urban renewal

C 11 E/182

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

15.1.2004

Under both the Research and Education policy areas, the Commission is pursuing a range of activities
aiming at attracting young researchers,
including: steps towards the establishment of a pan-European
initiative for enhancing science education in schools as part of the Science and Society action line; work
with Member States on co-ordinating actions in the area of science education and on benchmarking skills
requirements; and the preparation of a Communication on researchers careers in the European Research
Area.

(2004/C 11 E/207)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1423/03

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(15 April 2003)

Subject: Safety at sea

On 27 March 2003 the Council of Transport Ministers reached a series of conclusions on safety at sea.
Can the Commission say what the results are?

Does the ban on transport of heavy fuel oil in single-hull tankers also include vessels anchored in a bay
close to a port area?

Which Member States voted against this proposal by the Commission?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(15 May 2003)

With regard to the conclusions of the Transport Council, the Commission refers the Honourable Member
to the Council website (1), which features the press release on the Council meeting of 27 March 2003. The
press release explains in detail the decisions taken with regard to single-hull tankers.

The ban on the transport of heavy fuel oil in single-hull tankers applies to vessels calling at or leaving a
port or offshore terminal, or anchoring in a zone within the jurisdiction of a Member State, whatever the
flag it is flying.

These important decisions were taken by unanimous consent.

(1) http://ue.eu.int/en/summ.htm.

(2004/C 11 E/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1426/03

by Ulrich Stockmann (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: EU support for urban renewal and redevelopment

(23 April 2003)

Some 1,3 million flats in east Germany are currently standing empty, mainly as a result of high
unemployment, migration caused by unemployment, and the demographic trend. The redevelopment of
empty houses and whole districts is expensive: not only do buildings need to be demolished, but existing
supply networks (water, sewage, gas etc.) for the whole city have to be rescaled, schools closed and
administrative capacities reduced. Municipal authorities are in no position to take on this financial burden,
as their budget, and their room for manoeuvre, are restricted, mainly because of a decrease in income tax
revenue. Large-scale urban redevelopment resulting from a fall in population is not solely an east German
problem, however. It is growing more and more prevalent in the applicant countries of Eastern European
and can only worsen in the coming years. Therefore it constitutes a problem for the whole of Europe.

15.1.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 11 E/183

What steps does the Commission intend to take to tackle the issue of urban renewal and redevelopment?
How does the Commission view the possibility of creating a support instrument within the structural
funds to help finance urban renewal and redevelopment, given the fact that the Community initiative
Urban, for example, can only be used for targeted, innovative projects? Does the Commission consider it
possible or rational to introduce a remodelled horizontal measure or to support affected towns with
Objective 1 funding? How does the Commission view the possibility of organising meetings of people
affected by urban redevelopment to discuss potential solutions and strategies, and to encourage the
exchange of experience or best practice?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(27 May 2003)

The Commission considers that, in general, the problem of the renewal and redevelopment of cities is a
matter for the local authorities operating in accordance with the national provisions laid down by each
Member State.

The Structural Funds, and in particular the ERDF, have hitherto concentrated on support more directly
related to socio-economic development, i.e. productive investment which creates or maintains permanent
jobs, investments in infrastructure and investment to develop locally-generated potential.

However, the Commission does not exclude considering whether the Structural Funds could in future,
under certain conditions, provide assistance for housing as part of an urban renewal programme, provided
that this option could apply in all the Member States.

Through programmes such as Urbact and ESPON, the Commission is already providing support for
exchanges of experience and good practice between cities and is believes that this approach should be
continued, or even stepped up, in future.

(2004/C 11 E/209)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1442/03

by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: The revision of the Battery Directive 91/157/EEC

(24 April 2003)

A Targeted Risk Assessment Report on cadmium (oxide) used in batteries is being carried out
in
accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) 793/93 (1) on the evaluation and control of the risks of existing
substances.

At the same time, the Commission is preparing an extended impact assessment of selected policy options
for the revision of the Battery Directive 91/157/EEC (2).

Can the Commission say when the results of the Targeted Risk Assessment Report are expected to be
officially available?

As the results of the targeted risk assessment represent an essential element of the Extended Impact
Assessment of the Battery Directive’s revision, will the Commission ensure that the results will be fully
taken into consideration for the preparation of the Extended Impact Assessment?

Are Targeted Risk Assessment Reports available or under preparation on other metals used in batteries
such as lead, nickel, cobalt and zinc?

(1) OJ L 84, 5.4.1993, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 78, 26.3.1991, p. 38.